A coworker acquired an old ass 12 gauge shotgun.
He has no idea what it is as there aren't really any legible markings on it.

Anyone have a clue what this thing is?

Even larger pics can be found here if desired

It's an Iver Johnson shotgun made around the end of the 19th Century. The trigger guard is missing.

any idea what the lever thing is on the right side?

No. The ones I've seen didn't have that feature. The ring in front of the trigger opens the action. I don't know what the latch on the right side of the receiver is for. Maybe it's a takedown.

This is a black powder firearm, no longer safe for firing.

I'm wondering if the lever like thing is not something that was used to replace a lost pin...here is a pic from the internet that doesn't show it...can the pin be pushed flush?...neat old gun

Yes, considering the obvious extensive use that shotgun has seen, I wouldn't be surprised to find out it's an convenient solution for a broken pin.

that's interesting - and kinda hilarious.

It does make sense that some dude lost/busted the pin there and just grabbed whatever he had handy and stuck it in there.

thanks for the info folks!

I'm not so sure that it's some sort of ersatz replacement pin.

Here's an old ad for this shotgun. Note the lever on the side of the shotgun (although it's on the opposite side).

Also, from the photos in the OP, it looks like the lever lines up with a notch cut in the side of the receiver.

Here are some photos of another example of this style of shotgun, with a lever in the same position. However, the lever is on the opposite side from the OP's, and is a slightly different style.

My guess is that's it's a takedown mechanism, since that appears to be the connection point between the barrel and the receiver. I'd guess that when the lever is rotated to a certain point, the pin is then able to slide out and release the barrel from the receiver.

Looks like a neat wall hanger.

$7.25 - I wish guns were still that price....

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
any idea what the lever thing is on the right side?

Pre-Champion takedown lever. The wheel fits in the recess cut into the receiver.

Numrich might have the trigger guard.

They are still that price. That single shot would cost about 200-250 in today's money. Heck I could probably rustle up a passable pump gun in that neighborhood.

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
$7.25 - I wish guns were still that price....

this gun probably still is that price

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
$7.25 - I wish guns were still that price....

Adjusted for inflation, $7.25 in 1900 dollars would be around $199 in 2017 dollars.

That's about the going rate for a new single-shot shotgun today.