Identify this old shotgun (Cooey? Ivers Johnson?)

R

rush709

New member
So I saw this gun on a used gun site I frequently check and decided to grab it. Figured I'd make a little project out of restoring it. $85 (Canadian, in American dollars, ~$60).

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I'm not that familiar with Cooey's (I know they're a Canadian made gun, bought out by Winchester in the 60s). It's listed as a "Cooey Ranger Single Shot", which is odd cus I thought the Cooey Rangers were .22s. Also, the forestock looks different than any I see on Cooey's online, looks more like an Ivers Johnson (tapered sharply towards the end, Cooey's I see online are more blunt). From the picture, it looks like it has a ribbed barrel, which I dont see on any Cooey's online either...

I called the shop twice already today about it, and they're busy, so I dont want to bother them any more about it (the guy on the counter said "it's a Cooey and it'll kill ptarmigan", so I'm guessing "Cooey" is all the info he knows on it).

Anyone got any insight on this shotgun? Make/era/anything?
 
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To me, it looks more like the one this guy has than any Cooey's I've seen online:

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/iver-johnson-single-shot-shotguns.74680/

I've dealt with the store I've got it from before, they're a good operation, and I dont see them just throwing a name out if it wasnt stamped on the side. Got me all confused. I'll see it in a week or so when it arrives, and it doesnt really matter, it's just a restoration project. I'm just trying to do some internet sleuthing cus I'm curious...
 
Another internet clue as to what it might be found:

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/ranger-shotgun.70779/

I think it might be the same as that. After looking at a pile of Cooey and Iver Johnson pictures online today, I'm almost positive it's an Iver Johnson. On the receiver, just above/left of the trigger, it's got a bit of a curve/raised flair in the metal. None of the Cooeys i've seen have that, they're all just flat. Time will tell when it arrives I guess...
 
Remove the barrel and look underneath.

Also, use a dime and see if it will go in the muzzle, which would mean that it is a full choke if it does not, modified if it does.

I would put on a good Limbsaver recoil pad, hunt with it the way it is.
 
Originally Posted By: ackleymanRemove the barrel and look underneath.

Also, use a dime and see if it will go in the muzzle, which would mean that it is a full choke if it does not, modified if it does.

I would put on a good Limbsaver recoil pad, hunt with it the way it is.

That's a good tip about the dime. Wonder if it works the same with Canadian dimes?

They assured me it will fire and could be taken hunting, but I think I want to make a project out of it. Been keeping an eye out for an older shotgun to hang above the fireplace. On the one hand, leaving it a bit tattered gives it an old kind of charm, but on the other hand I was looking for a project and it was cheap... I'm thinking I'll have a go at cleaning it up a bit, though I'm not sure how far I'll take the restoration. It's just a random old gun I saw for sale, so if it doesnt work out as good as I hope, I'm not going to get bent about it.
 
There is no point in a refinish other than give you a good hobby. Wall hangers look better in beat up condition, those nicks and dings give character.
 
Originally Posted By: ackleymanThere is no point in a refinish other than give you a good hobby. Wall hangers look better in beat up condition, those nicks and dings give character.

I totally agree that the nicks and dings give wall hanger character. It would be for the hobby/project aspect that I'd refinish it. An old Cooey/Iver Johnson/mystery gun that I got second hand has no sentimental meaning to me though, so I dont really mind having a go at it to try to make it look a little better. I'll size it up once I actually get it and see it in person. From the picture, it doesnt look too bad, and it's functional, so it might get a bit of TLC and make it's way into the rotation of guns I use (or more likely a standby/lender). If it doesnt look like it will clean up nice, it'll become the wall hanger. I'll post some more pics of it once I've got it in hand.
 
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