iver johnson shotgun sn8542

Question
QUESTION: want to know value of iver johnson trigger action single eject shotgun. has 8542 stamped on trigger guard. was told it is 10ga but it may be a 12ga. pat oct 24:05 pat oct 31:05 stamped on barrel. iver johnson arms and cycle works fitchburg mass. usa stamped on side of chamber.

ANSWER: Hello Dale.
  My research shows that Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works did not make a 10ga. in any of their firearms. Their offering in this trigger pull model was in 12ga., only. There was a Junior model offered in 16ga. or 12ga. The patent for the trigger pull opening device was applied for on Aug.10,1904 and was granted on Oct.24,1905. There was another patent for an ejector, applied for on Aug.10,1904 and granted on Oct.31,1905. Both patents belonged to Gustof Ellstrom, plant manager for Iver Johnson, at the time. Just a little history that interested me. You ask about a value. First, the value of a firearm is relative to the condition, as well as, the demand. There are not so many of this model on the market today, therefore, I could venture to say in the neighborhood of $200 for an unaltered specimen. Blue Book of Gun Values lists it from 60%-$150 to 98%-$300, but I have not seen any in the higher price ranges.
  I hope this helps answer your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage

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QUESTION: thanks for that info, helps a lot. My info says iver johnson did make a 10 ga. in the champion model. As far as being rare, in my search I can not locate any of this particular model for sale or even find a picture of one. The serial # being 4 numbers and no letters seems to be unique.

Answer
Hello Dale.
  It is a real cake walk researching Iver Johnson shotguns. I did find some information that does show a 10 gauge single barrel with the name "CHAMPION" stamped on it. It was actually manufactured by C.S. Shattuck for distribution by the J.P. Lovell Company. This was before 1880. In 1899, Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works purchased the right to use the name "Champion" exclusively on their single barrel shotgun. In 1893, IJA&CW first catalogue showed 3 single barrel shotguns. One was called the "Lovell Champion". There was no mention of a 10 gauge at that time.
  This is all I was able to find anywhere on the internet. Would you mind sharing your source of information with me? I am all about research, and could have missed something. Charles Gage