Iver Jhonson

[Tequila Jim]

Found an interesting old Iver Jhonson single shot 12 ga at the local gon shop. Inside the trigger guard
in front of the trigger is a ring, this ring is the action release. As the younguns say way too cool. Seems
to be a flid steel barrel, it is pretty much in the white, not much rust . But still I am leery because of it's
apparent age. Your comments please. Regards, Jim

[Wills Point Pete]

 Try using the Redneck Proof Testing Kit. Load a black powder cartridge and set the butt inside an old car tire, with the barrel tied down to the outside of the other side of the tire. Tie a string to the trigger, back off to the end of the string and let her fly. If the gun holds together it ought to be safe to shoot. If the gun doesn't hold together mount the pieces on the wall and think up an exciting story to explain the wreckage.

[Dick Dastardly]

Iver Johnson made some fine shotguns.  I have one of their little .410s.  It is definitely safe to shoot.  I'm thinkn' your found gun would be of the same quality.  I like the proofing idea but I'd use a 2-3/4" magnum heathen shot shell.  If it handles that, and it probably will, it's good to go with Holy Black.

I like the idea of not putting it next to your face when you run the proof firing.  Yup, a long string works for me.  Also, should it come from together, you might run a thread on the "Wreck of the Iver". . . .

DD-DLoS

[Major 2]

Try using the Redneck Proof Testing Kit. Load a black powder cartridge and set the butt inside an old car tire, with the barrel tied down to the outside of the other side of the tire. Tie a string to the trigger, back off to the end of the string and let her fly. If the gun holds together it ought to be safe to shoot. If the gun doesn't hold together mount the pieces on the wall and think up an exciting story to explain the wreckage.

I can't believe you would suggest this and
there is not a joke implied ....

DON'T DO IT   have confident Smith check it out !

[Dick Dastardly]

Do what Major 2 says first.

DD-DLoS

[Modoc]

Jim, 

Sounds like a cool find!  Most deffenitely take it into Mr. Mears and have him check it out.  I think that he is starting to catch up on his work load.  He was out four of weeks for Jury Duty this fall, so he's behind the 8 ball a bit .  Missed you of Friday at lunch, it was my first outing since the surgery.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I can't believe you would suggest this and
there is not a joke implied ....

DON'T DO IT   have confident Smith check it out !

Major 2, I'm NOT agreeing OR disagreeing, but this method IS an OLD working gunsmith method of "proofing" a gun.  I saw it first, explained in detail, in the first Dixie Gunworks catalog I ever had back in the '70s.  With pictures.


Like I say - this is an old "tried and true" method, and I also agree that your suggestion of seeing a competent 'smith is a better idea!  Just 'cause something USED to be done doesn't mean it's still a good idea!  OR bad!

By the way, the Dixie directions said to put the gun and tire setup at the base of a VERY large tree, with you and the end of the string BEHIND said tree!  Or the next big tree behind it!!  And no redneck friends with beer and cameras near the gun behind a SKINNY tree sayin'  "Hey fellas ... watch this!"

[Tequila Jim]

Modoc, this particular item was at the outher gunstore. Glad you are out and about. 
I will go back and ask, and look, and have a chat with the resident gunsmith before
buying. The local Big 5 had a Remington aka bical oh hugla at a very attractive price
last week , but alas it is a hammerless gun. Yes, yes perfectly SASS legal, but???
                                                           Regards, TJ

[Major 2]

Major 2, I'm NOT agreeing OR disagreeing, but this method IS an OLD working gunsmith method of "proofing" a gun.  I saw it first, explained in detail, in the first Dixie Gunworks catalog I ever had back in the '70s.  With pictures.


Like I say - this is an old "tried and true" method, and I also agree that your suggestion of seeing a competent 'smith is a better idea!  Just 'cause something USED to be done doesn't mean it's still a good idea!  OR bad!

By the way, the Dixie directions said to put the gun and tire setup at the base of a VERY large tree, with you and the end of the string BEHIND said tree!  Or the next big tree behind it!!  And no redneck friends with beer and cameras near the gun behind a SKINNY tree sayin'  "Hey fellas ... watch this!"

Jeff .. I remember that
"Ol" Turner Kirkland had a photo of a Barrel "only" he proofed it by plugging both ends, fill it with BP and set off with a link of Cannon Fuse...
It passed....

Still not a wise operation for an old gun....  However,  Darwin Awards are held each year  "Hey fellas ... watch this!"

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Major 2, glad you caught my reference!

[St. George]

It's a 'Semi-Hammerless'.

It featured a semi-hammerless action with a locking bolt operated by a "ring" journaled in the trigger guard directly in front of the trigger - made in 12 gauge only from 1899 to 1910.

Iver Johnson made good-quality, low-cost guns for the trade, so they appear with numerous hardware store names on them, as well as their own trade name.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

For anyone testing an old gun with the tire method with a heavy load, do this first.  Mark the barrel starting at the end of the chamber with a felt marker and do this every inch to the muzzle.  Then get a micrometer and micke the barrel every place with the mark and record it, both of course on a two barrel gun.  Fire 3-4 of you 'proof loads and then remile.  If any of those measurments get larger, hang it on the wall.  Just because a barrel does not blow up with the proof load, it don't mean it's safe.  A strain will expand it enough to tell with a mike.  If you are not real good with one of these fine devices do find someone who is to do your measuring. 

To know if yer good, grap several metal objects and mike them several times.  Do the readings come out exactly the same each time?  If not, no you ain't good.

[Tequila Jim]

After another look and some discussion with one of the long time employes of the gunshop decided not
to purchase the Iver Johnson. Guess it's back into my be patient mode. Regards, TJ

[Major 2]

Jim
I sent you an heads up email on a Rossi Coach gun 

[Dick Dastardly]

Don't give up on the 16ga plan.  It's the best balance of power, weight and recoil for SASS shootn'.

DD-DLoS

[Pitspitr]

Didn't Iver Johnson buy out W. H. Davenport?

[Tequila Jim]

Thanks, Major 2. Regards, TJ

[Major 2]

Hope it worked out for you....