The company began in 1871 as Johnson & Bye in Worcester, MA. In 1879 they introduced the Champion Side Snap shotgun, the first center hammer single. In 1883 the Iver Johnson’s Arms and Cycle Works was formed and in 1891 they moved to Fitchburg, MA. Iver Johnson died in 1895. In 1900 they bought the John P. Lovell Arms Co. and operated as Iver Johnson Sporting Goods. Then in 1902 they bought part of the Forehand Arms Co. In 1915 they were incorporated as Iver Johnson’s Arms and Cycle Works Inc. with John P Lovell as President. (See Lovel catalogs)