Iver Johnson 12 ga

If you remember my post from a while back about me restoring a model 60 which is just having the stock finished up right now and needs to cure (I will post the photos you want to see.)
I am now working on my grandpas other gun that he has not shot in years. This one he lost and legitimently forgot where it was. He said we wanted to take it to a guy to get it fixed. Anyways my grandma ended up finding it the other day in the back of the closet.



The lever that breaks the gun moves but does not want to open the action very easily its a pretty common break action gun from what I know. Any information on the topic would be helpful or cool.
My dad thought simply cleaning the gun and action might do it I have got my fingers crossed.
From some of the research I did if serial code is all numbers it is would likely be manufactured between 1909 and 1919 which it is.

Cant answer your question but I have that same shotgun in a 410. I got it from an old friend in Sheridan WY just before he passed away. Three tour Vietnam vet and a proud man. I will cherish it forever.

looks like an Iver Johnson Champion

the action is all pinned so people seldom disassembled them, given it is over 100 and probably seen some use and weather

at best you probably have some dried out oil , wd-40 varnish , ect

possibly some rust but the picture doesn't look too bad hard to say about the insides lots of people wipe oil on the outside because they can see it
they are more likely to spray wd-40 down in the action which I realize wasn't around 100 years ago
but it has been available for 70 years
I would probably start by getting the wood off of it and soaking the receiver in penetrating oil

that may actually be enough to get it moving decent
or it may need to be taken apart and parts scrubbed with steel wool and oil the re-assembled.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/iver-johnson/shotguns-ij/champion

here is break down video

One hint: If you knock the trigger group pins out, do it inside a pillow case.

dad has my uncles 16 gauge champion. he died in 1957. i broke the underlever spring in Nebraska dove hunting .had a gunsmith make another one for it.still got it!

I have same in 12 ga. Made in 1900 roughly.....full bore choke. Mines rough

I have one also was my first shotgun when i was 14 . I have shot everything with it from deer to waterfowl and small game . Its retired now

Nice looking gun

this

Cool old Gun

ATF Dextron 3 and Mineral spirits is nearly as good as the ATF and acetone mix while easier to store and a bit less flammable

also less expensive by a little bit saves about 5-6 dollars a gallon

it doesn't eat plastics like the acetone does so it is easier to find a container to soak the receiver in

I know the standard is 50/50 I mixed my last batch more like 1/3 ATF 2/3 mineral spirits and I can't tell the difference more carrier less oil still seems to get the oil in places as well as less carrier more oil


the mineral spirits doesn't eat the spray bottle , I use a couple old WD-40 refillable spray bottles