Need help identifying an older 20 Gauge sinsle shot shotgun.

[Pharoah007]

This fell into my lap and I am curious about it.

Missing the front grip, butt plate is not original ( I think it is a butt plate from an older CAF rifle)

Markings are mostly rubbed off, but what I can make out is a s follows..

On the barrel...

20 GAUGE CHOKE BORE BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE
PAT'D JUNE 15, 15 PAT'S PENDING

And on the receiver...

IV__________
ARMS_______S
FITC________

Anyone have any ideas???

 

[fraserdw]

Iver Johnson.

 

[1963beretta]

Iver Johnson

 

[fraserdw]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iver_Johnson

Fitchburg, Mass

 

[Pharoah007]

Right on, thanks all.

 

[Pharoah007]

So are they any good? is it worth restoring?

 

[Mount Sweetness]

It will be worth approx. $120 once fully restored.

 

[Pharoah007]

It will be worth approx. $120 once fully restored.

Cool. Not so much worried about $$ value. More worried about the time I put into it if it is a piece of junk

 

[gunsaholic]

They weren't really junk, just your typical utilitarian single shot of the day that put a lot of food on the table.

 

[fraserdw]

No magnum loads.

 

[Pharoah007]

No magnum loads.

This brings me to another question...what size (length) of shell does this 20Ga take?

I know it wont handle a 3 1/2 shell, lol

Best way to measure to be sure?

 

[fraserdw]

My understanding of a shotgun chamber is that the end is a venturi where the shell end opens up. Measuring to the start of that venturi is the maximum shell length. Use Google and determine what shell lengths were available in the 50s may work as well.

 

[blasted_saber]

Its a wall hanger, and an ugly one at that. That stock looks like its about to fall apart any second.

 

[gunsaholic]

I hope you aren't planning on shooting this the way it is. Besides the obvious forearm missing, it looks like there is 1/4" gap between the breech and the action. Not good or safe. You often hear the term "good for a tomato stake" when describing old shotguns. I'm afraid the way the gun is right now that is about what it is good for. As far as spending time/money on it, there are far better guns as candidates if that is what you want to do.