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Iver Johnson Champion 16 ga.

7K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  Sprint 
#1 · (Edited)
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Alright, here is the second of the four rifles I inherited from my Grand-Father and Grand-Uncle. They have been in my Fathers closet since I was a kid and I think since he moved into that house in 1960. Even if they turn out to be rather worthless I'd like to know how old they are so I may need help in locating the serial numbers on a couple of them.

This is an Iver Johnson 16-ga. Champion shotgun that I feel is pretty nice. It certainly needs a thorough and proper cleaning and blueing, but the wood appears to be intact with just minor dings from use. I'm not sure how to rate the percent of blue. I would say it is low since much of it appears practically bare. I see the HFX stamped on the underside by the trigger but I don't see a serial number anywhere and I didn't want to just start taking it apart. Could someone help me find it please?

Is it better to leave it as is or should I pick up a cleaning kit and give it the once over?

Any advice on cleaning, value and age would certainly be appreciated.
Does the double stamped logo increase the value like with coins? :D

Thank you,

Joe B
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#3 · (Edited)
I agree w/MIKE. Very common utility grade gun. I see them (usually in 12 or 20 ga) fairly often. Usual asking price around $125-$130 in condition as yours. Which IMO looks quite good. I don't see any reason for special cleaning. Just clean/oil as might any gun after shooting. Might rub some furniture polish or wood treatment into stocks in case they dried out.
 
#5 ·
Check this out, while searching for a serial number I popped off the Butt Plate and this paper fell out. My Uncle Pat's Hunting License from 1942! I read somewhere IVER dropped the 16 ga after 1941, maybe this is a last year production model. The only thing I find is the "HFX" on the trigger plate, stock and Butt Plate. Could that be the serial number? Any thoughts on how to read it for year made? If it is stamped elsewhere I don't know how to take this thing apart. I can't even get the barrel grip off.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Joe
 
#11 · (Edited)
Yes, we know about the Fitchburg thingy, As posted , HFX is the serial number, and in Alpha Letters or Arabic number form, HFX or 510 it is probably first year made ( Just 1940 ). BTW, the history behind the Fitchburg code is all oral, there is no written history confirming it, it may be fact or it may be just coincidence. Even Bill Goforth didn't know if it was factual or not.
 
#12 ·
Yes, it was "all oral" as you say. However, it is factual that the Alpha serial number plan was based on the factory city name of Fitchburg.

How do I know that? I knew Bill Goforth personally and I am the one that told him. I worked there and hand stamped many a shotgun serial number until the shotguns were dropped from production.

This post is only meant to inform, not chastise.

Sprint
 
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