Iver Johnson Skeeter

[jefferyconnor]

Does anyone own one of these or have thoughts on them as to quality? I'm interested in them and have noticed they seem to have interest, especially when chambered in .410.

[Dave Noreen]

The Iver Johnson SKEET-ER was the entry-level side-by-side double Skeet Gun. In 1939 the SKEET-ER had a list price with ejectors of $55 for 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge or $53 in .410-bore, with the Miller single selective trigger $17.50 extra. A Field Grade Ithaca NID Skeet Gun listed at $89.55 with a vent-rib $21.50 extra. Ithaca's Lefever Model 6 A-Grade Skeet Gun was $64.65. The Lefever was only offered with a non-selective single trigger. A Parker VHE Skeet Gun listed at $168.45. The L.C. Smith "Skeet Special" was $91.80 with a non-selective single trigger.

The A.H. Fox SPE-Grade Skeet & Upland Game Gun was $121 and the Winchester Model 21 "Standard Grade" Skeet Gun $111.25 but neither were offered in .410-bore.

[Bobby Cash]

https://i.imgur.com/IJHXyQn.jpg

I wanted to love my .410 Skeeter.
It felt very much like a gun that was made by an organization who specialized in bicycles.
Not for me.

[Dean Romig]

I loved my little .410 Skeet-er. They are a well built and well balanced gun.
Keeping in mind Remington and L.C. Smith were typewriter manufacturers.

I would definitely buy another.




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[jefferyconnor]

Thanks for all the input, everyone! Researcher, that's interesting they were relatively inexpensive when made.

One thing that seems to stand out is that the ones I've seen for sale always have really nice wood, especially in light of the price point they sold at.

[Dean Romig]

That’s true of just about all Skeet-ers. I can’t remember seeing one that didn’t have nicely figured wood. I can’t say much for the pretty basic checkering though.





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[Dave Noreen]

At the entry-level, I believe the Lefever A-Grade Model 6 Skeet Gun is a far better looking gun. A picture Walter Snyder posted some years ago --

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[Kevin McCormack]

That's one of the few side-by-sides I've never owned. I saw all I could carry out of gun shows for years at $1500-$1800. The next time I paid attention, they were all $3500-$4500!!

[neill mcinnis]

I own one. Beautiful would and enough weight to let you know you have a balanced gun in your hands. Not whippy in your swing. Good shooting gun for quail. You can’t go wrong.

[neill mcinnis]

Wood... thumbs got a bit happy. Had to correct it.

[Bill Murphy]

Bobby's comment was a bit off the wall. For a hardware store gun, it is pretty nice. My 30" Skeeter .410 is a particularly nice handling gun. However, I have found that almost all .410s are "right for me". World NSSA .410 champion K.C. Miller shot a .410 Skeeter, may have shot the first 100 straight in .410 NSSA competition with it. He did also shoot a Parker and no one seems to be able to tell us which he shot the big scores with. My opinion is that the World Championship and the first 100 were shot before his Parker was made.

[Jeff Kuss]

Interesting, my three Iver Johnson catalogs don't even show an option for 30" barrels on any gauge Skeeter. They show 28" as standard with 26" as an option.

[charlie cleveland]

don't forget the little cresant 410 s and the lowly stevens 410....the stevens 410 is still a favorite of mine....charlie

[Dave Noreen]

don't forget the little cresant 410 s and the lowly stevens 410....the stevens 410 is still a favorite of mine....charlie

By and large they were never made as skeet guns.

This appeared in the March 5, 1936, J. Stevens Arms Co. Wholesale Price List.

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I've never seen one and never seen it in another piece of J. Stevens Arms Co. paper.

[Bill Murphy]

Jeff, I've never seen any IJ paper mentioning the 30" .410, but I've heard rumors of another.

[Bill Murphy]

Jeff, I've never seen any IJ paper mentioning the 30" .410, but I've heard rumors of another. Did Dean's Skeeter have a 30" set?

[jefferyconnor]

That's a interesting history and achievement for the Skeeter shooting 100 in a row. I remember reading somewhere that Skeeters won a lot of tournaments many years in a row. That could have been due to sponsorships and "race prepped" guns vs off the shelf guns. Maybe someone here knows more about that?

[Scott Janowski]

Researcher,
At the entry-level, I believe the Lefever A-Grade Model 6 Skeet Gun is a far better looking gun. A picture Walter Snyder posted some years ago --

The only thing I don’t like about the Lefever-A Grade was the Beavertail forearm wood did not have a recoil brace.
If you look at any that have been used for the purpose it was designed for ( volume target shooting) you will find a loose or cracked forearm, or a cobbled up repair of the forearm.

[Dave Noreen]

My Lefever A-Grade is a pretty well used 20-gauge which according to Walter Snyder is a very optioned up Model 5. No looseness problem with the forearm.
Has every option but automatic ejectors. Single non-selective trigger, beavertail, twin ivory beads, and Ithaca recoil pad. One of a group of eight identical guns ordered by Bauer Sport Shop. Every time I shoot it I imagine Eddie and Stein out shooting skeet at the Pioneer Skeet Club outside Seattle.

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I got my A-Grade at Stan Baker's shop in North Seattle.

[jefferyconnor]

I saw a lot of interesting guns at Stan Baker's shop, I remember not buying a last year 97 Winchester in mint condition, I still regret not getting that gun.

[jefferyconnor]

Does anyone have thoughts about the looks/value of this 12 gauge Skeeter?
https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/iver-johnson-rifles/iver-johnson-skeeter-12ga.cfm?gun_id=101218958

[Scott Smith]

Obvious gap between stock and frame would be a concern for me.

[jefferyconnor]

I see it, now that you mention it! Light is showing through in one picture.

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, that gun has been apart, sanded, and screwed back together.

[charlie cleveland]

if it weren't for the stock problem I would be ok with the price....charlie

[Daryl Hallquist]

Skeet-ers were interesting guns for their day. They were made quite heavy, gauge for gauge, and meant to be fired a lot at clay pigeons. Not many companies offered heavy guns made for that purpose.

[allen newell]

The 410 ga Skeeters averaged 6 lbs 6 oz. I just bought a 410 skeeter with ejectors and 26 inch barrels. All original and in very good condition. The lacquer finish on the buttstock is worn so I'll have it stripped and a nice oil finish put on. They have a nice hi grade of wood on these skeeters. Shot 2 rounds of skeet with it yesterday. Absolutely no discernable recoil. Fun to shoot! Its for one of my 2 grandsons

[George Davis]

I pheasant hunted for years in southwestern Iowa with father and son team which shot Skeeter 16 and a 20 gauge. Father bought the set when him and son could start bird hunting, hope their grand children are still enjoying the set.

[Daryl Hallquist]

I think Skeet-ers , gauge for gauge, were made heavier than other guns of the period. Of course, they were made for clay shooting, not walk up hunting. I find them a real pleasure to shoot . The American Black walnut stocks are always well figured.

[Stan Hillis]

If it has not sold since I was at Bray's Island there will be a very clean .410 Skeeter at the Southern. I cannot remember who had it on their table at Bray's Island, but it was one of the vendors who will be at the Southern, and it appeared to be a little used one. AIR, it was priced around $4900.

[allen newell]

I bought a 410 skeeter this past week and shot a round of skeet with it Sunday at the Club,(Plymouth Rod and Gun). Neill, you're absolutely right about balance and swing in the hand. Shoots like a dream. Mine has 26 inch barrels, beautiful wood and ejectors. Just love this little 410. All original. The only plans I have are to replace the lacquer stock that has multiple scratches in the finish with a nice oil finish. I paid $3500 for it and have seen some advertised for over $4k.