Grampa's Guns
I was left two long guns by my grandfather.
One is an Iver Johnson Fire Arms and Cycle Works "Champion" model 410 single barrel shotgun. I recognise the Iver Johnson name but the 'cycle works'part?
The second is a "Revelation model 120".22 semi automatic from the Western Auto Supply Co. I doubt Western Auto manufactured guns, so who could the mfgr be? His best friends owned a Western Auto store in the late 50's-70's.
My Grandfather passed away almost 10 years ago, so these guns are probably 15 to 20 years old.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.
Stephan E. Ripsom
One is an Iver Johnson Fire Arms and Cycle Works "Champion" model 410 single barrel shotgun. I recognise the Iver Johnson name but the 'cycle works'part?
The second is a "Revelation model 120".22 semi automatic from the Western Auto Supply Co. I doubt Western Auto manufactured guns, so who could the mfgr be? His best friends owned a Western Auto store in the late 50's-70's.
My Grandfather passed away almost 10 years ago, so these guns are probably 15 to 20 years old.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.
Stephan E. Ripsom
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The Western 22 is probably a Marlin model 99, made in 1959 or 1960 (production years for that model)
Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works was the compnay name from 1891-???. The "Champion" was made from 1909-1956.
Both guns are a little older than you think.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Iver Johnson made Bicycles too. If do a search on ebay at times you will see them bring prices of two or three thousand dollors for certain models in minty condition. They had a unique truss frame that looks rather odd compared to bikes today or even then. Actually Iver Johnson Had a lot of products, Tennis rackets, Knives and more. I have an old framed unused leterhead from the Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company. An old company with a great history. It os to bad they are no longer with us. Oh yea I saw a I. J. motorcycle in a museum once. I'm thinking in Fresno but can't swear to that. Any way I'm pretty sure it was in Califoria.
tobefree
My wife said,"Either the guns or me." I sure do miss that woman!0 -
the cycle works part of the name included bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles (two models actually manufactured) and in the 1920's the iver johnson family owned an automobile dealership in fitchburg, ma.
in the area of motorcycle collecting iver johnson's are highly sought after. bicycles were manufactured up to world war II. motorcycles were manufactured for a short time in the 1911/1912 era.
b.goforth0 -
My references say this company, originated in 1882, was first called Iver Johnson & Co., Revolvers and they marked their guns IVER JOHNSON, Maker Of Iver Johnson Arms Co.
They became Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works in 1894, then changed the company name to Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works, Inc. in 1915.
The Champion model shotgun was introduced in 1909.
The way I read this, and assuming they marked them as such, if your gun is a Champion that doesn't contain "Inc." in the company name it was manufactured between 1909 and 1915.0 -
after the company was incorperated the markings on the guns never changed and never included the inc.
the original name in 1871 was johnson & bye gunsmith, then iver johnson arms (have also seen markings iver johnson & co.) several models were marked iver johnson maker, then iver johnsons arms & cycle works. the cycle works markings were dropped in the late 1960/early 1970's but remained the company name until the family sold the company in about 1973.
the chanpion name for the single barrel shotgun line dates to 1885 when iver johnson was making brand name shotguns for the j.p. lovell co. of boston. in 1894 iver johnson gained full ownership of the name. there have been many variations of the champion some quite unusual but most were solid dependable field grade guns. the chmpion most encountered today was introduced in 1909 as the campion model 36. a smaller frame version called the model 39 was also introduced at the same time. the 410 version of the model 39 was introduced about 1915 and the model 39 itself discontinued about 1917. after about 1917 all 410 versions were built on the standard size frame. the 3 inch version of the 410 was not introduced until the 1930's but a lot of the older 2 1/2 inch models were rechambered.
the champion single barrel was manufactured in a full line of gauges and barrel lengths until about 1956 after that it seem only 12 gauge manufactured in limited numbers until about 1972. adds during this time all seem to say "full production to be resumed soon" but never was.
b.goforth0 -
Goforth
When it comes to IJ's your the man.
Dean
quote:Originally posted by b.goforth
after the company was incorperated the markings on the guns never changed and never included the inc.
the original name in 1871 was johnson & bye gunsmith, then iver johnson arms (have also seen markings iver johnson & co.) several models were marked iver johnson maker, then iver johnsons arms & cycle works. the cycle works markings were dropped in the late 1960/early 1970's but remained the company name until the family sold the company in about 1973.
the chanpion name for the single barrel shotgun line dates to 1885 when iver johnson was making brand name shotguns for the j.p. lovell co. of boston. in 1894 iver johnson gained full ownership of the name. there have been many variations of the champion some quite unusual but most were solid dependable field grade guns. the chmpion most encountered today was introduced in 1909 as the campion model 36. a smaller frame version called the model 39 was also introduced at the same time. the 410 version of the model 39 was introduced about 1915 and the model 39 itself discontinued about 1917. after about 1917 all 410 versions were built on the standard size frame. the 3 inch version of the 410 was not introduced until the 1930's but a lot of the older 2 1/2 inch models were rechambered.
the champion single barrel was manufactured in a full line of gauges and barrel lengths until about 1956 after that it seem only 12 gauge manufactured in limited numbers until about 1972. adds during this time all seem to say "full production to be resumed soon" but never was.
b.goforth
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0
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