Info on Iver Johnsons Arms & Cycle Works Champion

[kaiweiler]

Hi, I just obtained an older shotgun. It's an Iver Johnsons Arms & Cycle Works Champion.

Marked on the Receiver:
IVER JOHNSONS
ARMS & CYCLE WORKS
FITCHBURG MASS USA
CHAMPION

Marked on the Barrel:
-12 GAUGE CHOKE BORE-
BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE

All three parts (barrel, foregrip, receiver) are stamped with the serial 26299

I have found some history of the company but am having trouble finding an age of this thing. Can anybody help me out? The grip on the stock looks much older than most Iver Johnsons Champions I see, but it's a shame it has some damage at the bottom.
The gun is also missing the barrel release (can still be opened with flathead screwdriver and all other mechanicals are working)


Is this thing worth fixing up and hanging onto? I'm going to need a bigger cabinet soon

 

[Mike Webb]

You just picked up what I consider to be the best of the old inexpensive single shots. I own a few and have owned several more. I haven't found a source for serial number info but someone on here may have, by the small forend size on yours I would say 1920's or 30's. You should be able to find parts for yours,they are by no means rare, if the action is still tight. If it is really loose I wouldn't bother fixing it up unless I had a sentimental attachment to it. But these old I-J's do fit great and they are very light to carry but they do kick pretty good. I only use low brass shells in my older ones so as not to shoot them loose. They were also made in Coburg, Ontario for a while as well.

 

[gunsaholic]

I would say it dates anywhere from the late teens to the 30's. I have a .410 with that same POW grip. In my opinion, I would just hang it on the wall before I spent any money on it unless it belonged to a relative. You can pick these guns up for not much money, especially 12 gauge. As an example I just picked up a very, very nice 16 gauge off of EE for $120.00 shipping included.

 

[kaiweiler]

Great. Thanks for the info guys

 

[Ormachek]

The best info I've been able to come across for champions is here:

h ttp://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=65773 (take the space out of h ttp)

My Iver johnson 16ga is by far my favourite shotgun, its old, its beat up, but man alive is it ever a comfortable gun to hold and shoot. Yours should be a great gun for you.