Iver Johnson

[RicePaddyDaddy]

I just got a model 36 Iver Johnson.Serial number is UHUH (it's a little old).Anybody know what year by the serial number it was made ?

[Norton]

Rice

Iver Johnson did not put serial numbers on their shotguns in the modern sense. The marked certain parts with letter codes. My 1940s Iver Johnson has a 4 letter code on the tigger guard tang and a different set of letters under the forearm. It was my understanding that most pre-Korean war shotguns like Hopkins and Allen, Harrington and Richards ect.. had no serial numbers. Those codes helped the parts guy keep his 1901 vintage parts bin organized

I will check my Iver Johnson code tonight

[RicePaddyDaddy]

Rice

Iver Johnson did not put serial numbers on their shotguns in the modern sense. The marked certain parts with letter codes. My 1940s Iver Johnson has a 4 letter code on the tigger guard tang and a different set of letters under the forearm. It was my understanding that most pre-Korean war shotguns like Hopkins and Allen, Harrington and Richards ect.. had no serial numbers. Those codes helped the parts guy keep his 1901 vintage parts bin organized

I will check my Iver Johnson code tonight

Thanks,the UHUH is on the trigger guard.I just got this shotgun in a trade,it's the first IJ I've seen with a checkered stock.I also got an old FIE with the best looking wood I've ever seen.

[jbruney]

I may be mistaken but I don't think firearms manufacturers were required to serial their products until '68. I've got several various older pieces that have none also.

[Old Grump]

Best advice I can come up with is dig a little bit into your pocket and buy this book.

http://openlibrary.org/books/OL16833334M/Iver_Johnson%27s_arms_cycle_works_firearms_1871-1993

[RicePaddyDaddy]

Best advice I can come up with is dig a little bit into your pocket and buy this book.

http://openlibrary.org/books/OL16833334M/Iver_Johnson%27s_arms_cycle_works_firearms_1871-1993


Dig is right,book is 101 bucks at Amazon.I'll keep beating on this keyboard till something pops up.Thanks.

[Bad Monkey]

I may be mistaken but I don't think firearms manufacturers were required to serial their products until '68. I've got several various older pieces that have none also.

I think you are right. I have a Savage model 6 my G. Grandpa bought new in the late 30's and his Stevens side by side, both have no serial numbers. When I got them the first thing I did was take them to a gunsmith and I asked my about finding the numbers. He said they both predated being serial numbered.

[Old Grump]

Dig is right,book is 101 bucks at Amazon.I'll keep beating on this keyboard till something pops up.Thanks.

Now you know why I haunt second hand book stores and estate auctions. I can't afford full price and most of my reference books are old and secondhand. Not bad because I am old and feel like I'm secondhand.

I have the same problem trying to find info on old Stevens/Savage rifles too and there is a ton of info out there on them.

[RicePaddyDaddy]

Now you know why I haunt second hand book stores and estate auctions. I can't afford full price and most of my reference books are old and secondhand. Not bad because I am old and feel like I'm secondhand.

I have the same problem trying to find info on old Stevens/Savage rifles too and there is a ton of info out there on them.

Anytime you're hunting something send me a p/m and I'll help,seems like I do a lot of that now.Friend of mine has a 16ga double barrel pinfire made somewhere around Germany in the early 1800's.I've been trying to find the gunmaker for 3 years now.His name is on top of the barrel in gold.It reads "Jaas made in Landau".I've been all thru the cities named Landau but no luck yet.The shotgun is totally engraved even the screw heads,a lot of work went into it.

[Norton]

Ok my Iver Johnson Champion says GIFI on the trigger guard tang
Under the hand guard it has the same combination of letters

[RicePaddyDaddy]

Ok my Iver Johnson Champion says GIFI on the trigger guard tang

That's the same way mine is marked,those same letters will be on the inside your shotgun on wood and steel.I'm still digging for dates.