r/canadaguns • u/sevenseascapes • Jun 02 '26
Misc Trying to identify old 12ga
Trying to identify this single 12. It is stamped MADE IN USA and has larger letters U S in sort of a figure 8. Other than a serial number starting with U on it I can't find any other markings.
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u/Cute_Ad6301 Jun 15 '26
Likely a U.S. Arms Co. single-shot break-action.
The "US" stamped inside a figure-8 (kinda like an infinity symbol) was the trademark for the U.S. Arms Company, a brand name used by the Iver Johnson Arms.
These were "trade-name" guns manufactured by Iver Johnson between 1890 and the 1940s.
Many older single-shot shotguns from this time have shorter chambers (like 2 9/16" or 2 5/8") than modern 12-gauge 2 3/4" or 3" shells.
Also, these barrels wern't designed for modern high-pressure smokeless powder or hard steel shot. I would be careful using modern shells because they might blow the barrel or destroy the action.