I recently tripped over an odd old Iver Johnson 12ga scattergun being offered for sale at one of our major online gun auctions. Since I mainly collect old .22rf single-shot stuff, I kinda' glanced at it, found it interesting, and passed it by.
A few days later I found a picture of another one being offered at an online auction from Georgia but only described as a 12ga single-shot. No further details. I was bidding on another old pistol there so left a bid on this rarity.
Evidently the auction house (and/or both gun's owners) didn't know what either of these two I.J.s were. I got the two of them delivered by mail to my door for LESS than just the little pistol is valued at in the gun guides here!
Finally! I found and got a bargain! TWO of 'em!
This 12ga (according to Bill Goforth who wrote the book on Iver Johnson guns) was called the "Improved Model of 1900" which Bill told me is advertised in their 1902 catalog and was their most expensive at $9.00! IT was only made until 1908.
This steel-barreled old timer was also called a "ring trigger" and a "semi-hammerless," but the ring "trigger" is to release the barrel so it tips down and ejects. This one cleaned up good and still has lots of case hardening left on the action. Everything works crisply and smoothly. Haven't swabbed the bore yet since I don't have any cleaning equipment of shotgun size. I'll get one tomorrow.
Below is a picture of the gun. If anyone is into collecting and wants to see more detailed pics of the gun, I've taken lots.
Best regards from "The Gunshine State" ~ ~ ~ mauser
A few days later I found a picture of another one being offered at an online auction from Georgia but only described as a 12ga single-shot. No further details. I was bidding on another old pistol there so left a bid on this rarity.
Evidently the auction house (and/or both gun's owners) didn't know what either of these two I.J.s were. I got the two of them delivered by mail to my door for LESS than just the little pistol is valued at in the gun guides here!
Finally! I found and got a bargain! TWO of 'em!
This 12ga (according to Bill Goforth who wrote the book on Iver Johnson guns) was called the "Improved Model of 1900" which Bill told me is advertised in their 1902 catalog and was their most expensive at $9.00! IT was only made until 1908.
This steel-barreled old timer was also called a "ring trigger" and a "semi-hammerless," but the ring "trigger" is to release the barrel so it tips down and ejects. This one cleaned up good and still has lots of case hardening left on the action. Everything works crisply and smoothly. Haven't swabbed the bore yet since I don't have any cleaning equipment of shotgun size. I'll get one tomorrow.
Below is a picture of the gun. If anyone is into collecting and wants to see more detailed pics of the gun, I've taken lots.
Best regards from "The Gunshine State" ~ ~ ~ mauser
