Iver Johnson "Champion" question

[Milkmaster]

I am doing a lil research on an old Iver Johnson "Champion" shotgun for a friend of mine. His father handed it down to him during the recent Xmas season. I have done some internet research on the Champion regarding manufacture periods etc. That part was easy. I am hoping one of you may be an Iver Johnson guru out there and can answer a couple of specific questions from the picture I have attached...

According to my research, the markings behind the trigger guard "CCCI" could be a serial number. However I don't know if that was a common way of doing it by Iver Johnson. In roman numerals "CCCI" adds to 301. My research so far would indicate no records exist even if the marking is indeed a serial number.

Any help is appreciated by those who may be more familiar with the "Champion" than I.

 

[Big Az Al]

The Iver Johnson Champion

That line of shotguns was pretty well out of production by the time the GCA of 1968, reguired serial numbers on all firearms made. I have never seen any with a number.

To myself and quite a few others they are neat old guns, not a lot of resale or collector value, most of them might have a family history that makes it more valuable becuase it dads first gun, or something along those lines!

I have not had a chance to get into marking like the "CCCI" but it could be a marking used by an inpsector, or assembler. It could also refer to a casting run, or if it was higher grade trap gun, or even a previous owners mark, or many other things, there are many variables when it comes to marks like those!

 

[Milkmaster]

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[fatelk]

I just found this thread doing a search for info about a Champion shotgun I just got. Mine has a serial number in the same place, but it is an actual number, 53xxx, and is also on other parts internally as well.

My research indicates mine went out of production in '41.

 

[petey156]

i have a 410 champion, it was my great grandfathers..... nice little gun