Help identifying iver johnson single shot 12. Ga

[MatthewDib]

I was gifted an old iver johnson single shot 12. GA. The serial number is 26512, it says Iver Johnson's arms and cycle works Fitchburg mass usa on the side. The barrel has no words besides iver johnson patd apr 201 apr 1502 pats pending. No other words anywhere on the shotgun. No serial number anywhere else on it either. Any insight anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated

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[WAYNO]

Howdy. And welcome.

Looks like a model 1900 Semi-Hammerless Ring Trigger, meaning the action was broke open via a ring ahead of the trigger. . And even then, there were variations of this shotgun.
First, my bet is it has a 2-1/2" chamber, and because of the date, it's designed for black powder. Do not use smokeless 2-3/4" ammo.
It is a turn of the century gun. Iver Johnson's were very prolific, but were soon replaced with a more conventional barrel opening toggle.

This is a wall hanger.

 

[K-22]

I was gifted an old iver johnson single shot 12. GA. The serial number is 26512, it says Iver Johnson's arms and cycle works Fitchburg mass usa on the side. The barrel has no words besides iver johnson patd apr 201 apr 1502 pats pending. No other words anywhere on the shotgun. No serial number anywhere else on it either. Any insight anyone can give me would be greatly appreciatedView attachment 2006867

If you have given s the complete serial #, and there are no letters, the gun was mfg between 1909-1919. They were known for quality.

 

[MatthewDib]

Thank yall for the help i appreciate it! Gunna clean it up and hang it when i get home!

 

[MatthewDib]

If you have given s the complete serial #, and there are no letters, the gun was mfg between 1909-1919. They were known for quality.

View attachment 2006885

Well after taking apart the shotgun ive found this so I assume with the 1 letter it would be past 1919? Wonder why it does not have a letter on the trigger guard stamp though?

 

[WAYNO]

That s/n scheme may apply to the Champion, but that's not a Champion. The ring trigger you have was made only until 1908.

 

[MatthewDib]

That s/n scheme may apply to the Champion, but the ring trigger you have was made only until 1908.

This is very interesting. My grandfather said he got it from a yard sale 20 years ago for $10 so I have no back story and he had no insight into the history of the gun. I'm gunna bring it to my local gun store next week and see what they think. It seems to chamber 2 3/4 12. GA without issues but I'm not gunna try shooting it anytime soon until ive gotten it checked over and confirmed if it's supposed to shoot black powder shot or smokeless

 

[Lilhigbee]

Yes, 2 3/4" shells will chamber in a 2 1/2" chamber,, but there isn't any room for the crimp to open so you wind up with a serious choke at the end of the chamber. Bad news!! If you and the gun survive it, you will have a nice bottle-necked shotgun shell to remember the experience by.