Single Barrel Shotgun Appraisal

Vintage Iver Johnson Single Barrel Shotgun

This is a vintage single-shot, break-action shotgun, likely an Iver Johnson Champion model produced in the early to mid-20th century. The firearm features a side-cocking hammer design and a steel frame with a trigger guard that shows significant age-related wear. The metal surfaces exhibit a heavy, dark brown patina and areas of pervasive surface oxidation (light pitting), particularly on the receiver and the hammer. The wooden stock is finished in a dark, reddish-brown stain and displays extensive wear, including numerous scuffs, shallow gouges, and a loss of varnish across the grip area. The wood-to-metal fit at the tang shows signs of shrinkage or compression consistent with age and storage in varying humidity. The barrel is a single tube constructed of forged steel, though any specific choke or gauge markings are obscured in the view. The action lever is located on the top tang, and the overall construction reflects a utilitarian, mass-market firearm intended for field use. The condition is considered 'fair' for its age, showing heavy seasoning and significant Honest wear, but no immediate catastrophic structural failures are visible in the photograph. It serves as a representative example of American sporting arms from the transition period between the Victorian era and the modern industrial age.