A Surprise In My Attic... An Old Shotgun!

[Centsless Detecting]

Hello TNet. Well I definately wasn't expecting to find this in my attic! Its that time of year for decorating the house. Having bought our first house last spring, I was looking all over for Christmas decorations. We have 2 small crawl spaces upstairs with random boxes. The one I was in had no light so I had a flashlight on me. As I was heading out I saw this peculiar black bag standing in the corner next to the door.. I knew it wasnt mine so I grabbed it with a smile and opened it. I guess Christmas came early this year!















Its a Champion 16 guage. From what I found online it was made between 1939 and 1956. It seems to be in pretty good shape. Everything works as it should. The Stock has a nice crack in it. Maybe why it was left upstairs? I have no idea who STEVENS is but I thank you for the secret santa gift

Happy Holidays. Happy Hunting and Good Luck to everyone.

Time to hit the dirt.

-TMD-

 

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[Trezurehunter]

I agree with Firemanphob. That is a nice find, but it should be checked out before firing.

 

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[parsonwalker]

Very, very cool find. The metal parts are in extraordinarily good condition. If the barrel is not "Damascus" (doesn't appear to be) I'll bet anything that's a shooter. Agree that's probably not the correct stock based on fit, but I'm going to go against the flow. I do not believe that's a Stevens buttplate. That thing is OBVIOUSLY hand carved in there. (Which makes it even cooler - personalized!) I think A real Stevens Buttplate would be much more clean, like the one below. That's my guess anyway . . .



Whether somebody named Steven was saying "This one is Steven's" or if somebody carved that into a buttplate to simulate a Stevens buttplate, you'll never know. Cool find either way.

 

[BLK HOLE]

BOOM what a find (no pun intended )

 

[releventchair]

Oh my. I thought it was a Stevens.... My bad. I'll clean my reading glasses and squint better next time.
Butt plate does look hand carved now...L.o.l.

Letters used as serial numbers (rear of trigger guard RXHG) hint of Serial# 8059.
Here's a link with some info...
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/iver-johnson-whats-serial-number/

 

[Centsless Detecting]

Quick, turn it in to the cops before you are put in jail for life for illegal firearm possession

Naw, that's a cool find man. Super neat!

Thanks washingtonian! Fortunately I am allowed to keep firearms in my house. Its crazy that some places dont allow that.

I agree with Firemanphob. That is a nice find, but it should be checked out before firing.

I totally agree. Im not a hunter and dont get to shoot very often. If it is deemed unsafe I will display it with pride.

BOOM what a find (no pun intended )

Thanks BLK HOLE! Very glad to have found my first gun! Wish I could have taken a pic of my expression as I opened it.

 

[Centsless Detecting]

Very, very cool find. The metal parts are in extraordinarily good condition. If the barrel is not "Damascus" (doesn't appear to be) I'll bet anything that's a shooter. Agree that's probably not the correct stock based on fit, but I'm going to go against the flow. I do not believe that's a Stevens buttplate. That thing is OBVIOUSLY hand carved in there. (Which makes it even cooler - personalized!) I think A real Stevens Buttplate would be much more clean, like the one below. That's my guess anyway . . .

View attachment 1778247

Whether somebody named Steven was saying "This one is Steven's" or if somebody carved that into a buttplate to simulate a Stevens buttplate, you'll never know. Cool find either way.

Thanks parsonwalker. I was shocked at how clean it was when I opened it. I sure hope it is a shooter. Well just have to wait till I can get it looked at. Thanks for the pic of the real Stevens plate. Not sure if someone tried bringing it back or made it custom. Definately adds more character.

Oh my. I thought it was a Stevens.... My bad. I'll clean my reading glasses and squint better next time.
Butt plate does look hand carved now...L.o.l.

Letters used as serial numbers (rear of trigger guard RXHG) hint of Serial# 8059.
Here's a link with some info...
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/iver-johnson-whats-serial-number/

It is pretty deceiving. It was hard to hold and take a good pic at the same time. Must have taken 10 pics before I got a good one. Thanks for the link. I hope I can find an accurate date. Either way I'm very glad I found it.

 

[Megalodon]

Back in the day the 16 ga was pretty popular down Louisiana way.
I've taken my share in the field.

Consider giving it the once over as an off season project.
Then, when upland bird season comes around, (September?), take it into the field.

Don't forget to post pictures here of your project progress, and of your adventures.

There are plenty here to lend advise and technical help, myself included.

The 16 ga was far more popular everywhere in the first half of the 20th century. My first shotgun was a used 16 ga Stevens side x side at Christmas when I was 14. The capability of the 20 with 3" chambers really seems to have doomed the 16.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

If I remember right they dropped "cycle works" from the company name before 1920, but according to what I found online the letters were used in place of numbers in the 40's and 50's... which makes me wonder if someone replaced the barrel with an older one at some point...

Everyone seems to agree that this is the code they used which makes your serial number 8059
F=1
I=2
T=3
C=4
H=5
B=6
U=7
R=8
G=9
X=0

It's a cool find, get that stock replaced with a correct one and it should be a nice shooter as long as the bore is good

 

[RustyGold]

What an awesome surprise. Congrats on how cool that is!

 

[Wildcat1750]

That’s why I love exploring old attics... great find!

 

[Centsless Detecting]

Hey everyone just an update. I had the shotgun inspected by a collector who is a customer of mine and was given the OK on its condition. It is indeed a "Shooter" and he was nice enough to offer me some rounds as well. Not sure when I'll have the opportunity to try it out. Thanks for looking everyone. Happy hunting. Get out there while you still can!

 

[Gregg3131]

Very very cool

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

during that time period, even the inexpensive firearms were made well.

One thing I hope your friend mentioned...DO NOT shoot steel shot ammo in that gun.
It has a full choke barrel. You could get away with small #7 quail/trap loads..but a steel shot duck or goose load could rupture the barrel.

Stick with lead.

 

[tinpan]

Hi , your country has 300 million guns . What are chances of finding one ? TP

 

[Megalodon]

during that time period, even the inexpensive firearms were made well.

One thing I hope your friend mentioned...DO NOT shoot steel shot ammo in that gun.
It has a full choke barrel. You could get away with small #7 quail/trap loads..but a steel shot duck or goose load could rupture the barrel.

Stick with lead.

Yes - lead only and light loads.

 

[chub]

Hello TNet. Well I definately wasn't expecting to find this in my attic! Its that time of year for decorating the house. Having bought our first house last spring, I was looking all over for Christmas decorations.

-TMD-

It will look great on top of the tree!

chub