I need a Iver Johnson "Champion" top lever`

[Steve Steven]

I have agreed to fix a 12ga Champion top break single for a neighbor, it is missing the top lever in addition to several other problems. It is a family heirloom, he plans to make a wall hanger of it.

I figured it wouldn't be hard to find one of the top levers, they made many thousands of these shotguns. Can't find one anywhere!! There was one on ebay but when I tried to get it, vendor said it was sold. I have looked at Numrich, Jack First, Sarco, all the vendors I could find, no one had one. I emailed 6 parts venders who had IJ parts on ebay, none had one. I am reduced to making one from scratch with nothing to guide me with.

Now comes the question I need your help with. Does ANYONE have an IJ top lever they can measure up or get me a picture of one? I realize its too much to ask to take one out of a gun, its a hard difficult job. Even a length of the visible part would help with a measure of how thick it is. I have the plate it fits into so I can make that part to fit, I just don't know how it looks like inside the frame.

Anyone who can help I would appreciate it, I have no problem with the machining, I have lathe, mill and lots of files and Dremel tools!

Steve

[LUCKYDAWG13]

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-man...ns-ij/champion

[Steve Steven]

Thanks for the reply, LUCKYDWAG13, first place I tried, they are out of stock, I sent them an email asking and have not gotten reply.

Steve

[Milsurp Junkie]

I have a book on iver johnson arms. Let me see if I haven't lent it out and see if it has anything in it.

[Steve Steven]

That will be great, anything will help. Is that the book by the guy, Bill Goforth, who posted on the Firearms Forum, who died a few years ago?

Steve

[pietro]

.

IME, sometimes, when the remaining stock of whatever item runs low, the online parts folks no longer list the part.

A phone call to all the various customer service dept's may be the only way to locate one.

.

[Steve Steven]

That sounds like what I will do. Thanks for the reminder.

Steve

[flounderman]

I have a lever that came with some parts. I seem to remember iver johnson, but not sure. I will send it to you, see if it is what you need. pm me an address. Daryl

[Drm50]

I’m sure I have one or three. I had mishap a few years back a 60 drawer parts bid got upset. There are a bunch of Top Levers for single and doubles. Draws were labeled but all mixed after spill. I will see if there is a champion to compare that I can get ahold of. These are used parts.

[Steve Steven]

Drm50,
I will send you a PM
Steve

[Steve Steven]

Thanks to all who replied, I finally got what I needed from an outfit called "Gun-Garage" in Arkansas who I found on eBay selling Iver Johnson parts.

Close the thread.

Steve