shotgun

[new_moonshiner]

I remember about 25 years or so back , an older gentleman loaned me a shotgun , it was a single shot , 12 guage, single barrel with a nickel receiver, only thing on the gun was a owl's head on the receiver, Now im thinking from what i have found out so far that it could have been made by Iver Johnson, and not all that valuable of a gun.. But does anyone here remember ever seeing one of these by any chance or have and helpful info pertaining to it ? any help is greatly appreciated .thanks

[wineo]

I know Ive seen those with the owls head before,but cant remember who made it.
Its probably not worth alot,although its a nice single shot.Theres quite a few of nice old single shots out there for cheap.That reminds me,the gun show is in town this weekend.I think I will go and have a good look around.Mabey I will see one of those owls head guns.If I do,I will post the info.

[new_moonshiner]

thanks for the info wineo , yeah i know its not a valuable item ..its just a sentimental thing .. I sure would like to get my hands on one of them .I almost forgot also it said wide awake on it thats all that was on the gun that i remember ..thanks .

[Dutchmancreek]

Iver Johnson made a lot of that type of shotgun, one being called "Champion". I used to have one...well made for what it was. They're probably not worth a lot but are good dependable shotguns. They might have made these under different names for retailers like Montgomery Ward, Western Auto and the like.

I like single shot shotguns......I've used one (made by H & R) for deer hunting for years.

[smokerscully1]

I must have at least 25 guns around here--5 or 6 .22's--3 shotguns--the rest are rifles of various big-game calibers--got 4--.300 win mags for sure. I hunt moose mostly with a .303 Brit. I've got a single shot Monkey Wards 12 gauge--thats my go to gun when I have to track wounded bear in thick bush.
A shot-gun at close range is a wicked --wicked weapon.
I recall having a .22 Iver Johnson revolver years ago--well built little gun. Of course they are illegal now so I got rid of it years ago.

[wineo]

I have a few old H+R single shots and a H+R 223 single shot with a scope.Its a tack driver since I had the trigger done on it.

[new_moonshiner]

I was kinda hoping that some of the Ole timers would have remembered seeing it around..Its one of things the harder it is to find the more I have to find it .
ps. that avatar wineo kills me everytime i see it lol .. hehheehehe Nice touch ..

[new_moonshiner]

Is there any serious US gun collector's here ?

[wineo]

That shotgun your looking for is a iver johnson champion.They sell used from $80 bucks up to $250 for one thats close to 100%.I couldnt find any reference to the nickle plated one so its probably worth more.I know I have seen one,but its been a long time.I didnt see any at the gun show last weekend,and I looked.I know an old man that has a ton of old rifles and shotguns.He might have one but I doubt its nickled.

[new_moonshiner]

thanks wineo... I have searched for days on end .. and posted all over about this gun .. You are sure on the champion? what about the Owl and being stamped wide awake >? I have looked at many iver johnsons that look very close .. but no owl and no wide awake on them, wide awake was a trade name used by hoods firearms in late 1800's but it was only used on handguns best I can tell.. I sure would love to find this gun , and dont mind paying good money for it depending on condition .. ANY help you may can offer if more than appreciated to say the least .. its just one of them guns I have to find ..to much time invested in looking now to turn back ... thanks wineo
NM.

[wineo]

I looked on the web alot.Your right.Its a rare bird.If you look long enough,you will find one.
I will keep my eyes open.I know alot of gun people.

[new_moonshiner]

I cant thank you enough wineo.. Hope you can locate one .. I will make it worth youre time ..

[new_moonshiner]

I almost forgot , lesat i know im not loosing my mind someone else has or had the same gun .its the closest thing i have found
but i dont think the 1800 is the date of mfg.
http://www.gabelguns.com/QuestionsAndAn ... umber=1437" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[wineo]

Ill get my gun book from my office,and look it up.It may give us some clues as just what the hell were looking for.I have friends that are gun dealers,so if I find one,they could do a transfer to a dealer in your area.

[new_moonshiner]

that would be more than great .... cant thank you enough ...

edit
just located this from what i found the Wide Awake name was trademarked by Wischo (K. G. Wilsker & Co.
but im still leaning towards the iver johnson .. it looks to much like it .

[wineo]

Wischo is a German producer of shotguns.It says theres no current import of there guns.

[new_moonshiner]

I see what ya mean ..I got the wide awake from them .. seems it used to be one of their tradenames.. Hopefully someone will know something about this gun. Much appreciated Wine.
NM

[Usge]

Owl stamp on receiver is most likely Iver Johnson manf. as previously mentioned. However, they used to manf various types of firearms for many different retail purposes. Hard to say eactly which your particular combination of features, etc., was which or where it came from. I've seen plenty of Iver manf small caliber revolvers with nickel plating and owl stamp. They aren't worth much on market (depending on condition, most of them I've seen run under 100 bucks). I don't imagine the single shot shotguns to be much different.