Rifleman Q & A: .44-Cal. Iver Johnson

posted on March 15, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
iver.jpg

Q: I have an Iver Johnson gun that I believe is in .44 caliber, according to its markings. There is no rifling within the bore. Is it okay to use 2½" .410 shotshells? Also, what pistol cartridges are safe to use? The word “CHAMPION” is marked under the manufacturer information along with 53XXX under the trigger guard.

A: Your Iver Johnson single-barrel shotgun was made between 1891 and 1919. Serial numbers were not recorded at the time, so I cannot furnish a better date of manufacture. Shotshells in .410 bore are .41 caliber, so this was probably made for .44-cal. shotshells that were available during the era. These guns were considered to be versatile game guns for use on the frontier.

Because of the shotgun’s age, inexpensive manufacture and no repair parts, I would not fire this gun under any circumstances unless it is examined and declared safe by a qualified gunsmith. 

Latest

Star Model B Ihtog 1
Star Model B Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

New For 2025: Kimber Next Generation 1911

For its latest M1911 offering, Kimber Mfg. borrowed design elements from its double-stack 2K11 pistol to create what it calls the Next Generation 1911.

Review: Charter Arms Double Dog

Charter Arms is an American gunmaker that has offered its own versions of compact, double-action revolvers at fair prices for more than 60 years.

Rifleman Q&A: Mysterious “Broomhandle” Bring-Back

"My favorite gun is inoperable, so I have not shot it. It is one of two weapons that my dad brought back from the Philippines after World War II, the other being a sword."

New Jersey Town Supports CCW With Fee Refund

The city of Englishtown, N.J., recently made a move to reduce that financial barrier, sparking widespread optimism that a statewide, even nationwide, trend may be on the horizon.

Review: Savage Arms Revel

Lever-action rifles have experienced a revival in recent years, and Savage Arms is getting in on the act with its Revel series rimfires. To understand it, you may have to read (backward) between the lines.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.