Champion shotgun question

[brooksy]

I am acquiring an old champion single shot with serial #500
i believe it was made in 1902

anyone know how i could verify for sure when it was made..and also anyone have any input on this gun?

 

[tiriaq]

"Champion" was a model name used by the Iver Johnson company. The 500 is more likely a batch or assembly number rather than a true serial number. This sort of shotgun was made in large numbers for a long period of time. It might rather hard to do any more than give an approximate date for manufacture.

 

[brooksy]

thanks tiriaq!
not too concerned just curious...gonna be my truck gun soon

 

[blargon]

try this site, some insight to Iver Johnson guns.

http://www2.arkansas.net/~sws1/ijfaq002.htm#IJshot