What is the value and year of manufacture of an Iver Johnson 410 Champion sn 3403 manufactured in Fitchburg Mass and could it have been made as a 44 and bored out to a 410?

Answer 1

The Champion was manufactured from 1909 to 1956. It was available in .44 shot and .45 shot but those rounds have not been loaded commercially since WWI, so it is entirely possible that it was manufactured as a .44. The barrel would not have to be bored out to use .410 shells, but the chamber should be lengthened since it was designed for a 1-1/2 or 2" black powder shell. CAUTION: Even though a .410 shotshell will fit in these guns, modern 410 shells create pressures much higher than the gun was intended to handle. If the chambers have not been lengthened, that will add additional pressure as the shell cannot open fully. I would have a qualified gunsmith look this gun over really close before I shot it. Value would range from $25 if it is rusty and useful only as a source of parts, up to $125 if it is like-new. There is not much collector interest in these and they are too old to be a serious field gun. If you find out that IS a .44 and has NOT been altered to .410, you might get a little more interest from a collector looking for less common chamberings, but it won't increase the price.