Iver Johnson Identification Please

[TaySuth]

I picked up an old Iver Johnson revolver at a gun show that my wife fell in love with but I am having trouble identifying it. I need to know when it was made to see if it can shoot .38 S&W or if I need to get black powder loads. Unfortunately, it is still in 10 day jail so I can't get all the information off of it. Here is what I know.

Iver Johnson Revolver
Holds 5 .38 shells
Barrel spins free when unloaded
Top break
No safety lever on the trigger
6942 on the butt of the pistol
4" barrel
Automatic ejection of shells when opened

I appreciate any information I can get.

[TRICKSTER]

Depends on which model you have. Here is some info that may help.

http://www.armchairgunshow.com/pocketDA-info.html

Sounds like you may have the third model which was designed for smokeless powder.

I would be more concerned with the cylinder timing.

And just to clarify, these pistols use the old 38 S&W round, not the more common 38 S&W Special round for anyone
that may not be aware of the difference.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The .38 S&W commercial loads are loaded way down to accommodate these older break-top revolvers. If your gun is safe enough to shoot, the commercial stuff is fine for them. Realize that Iver Johnson and dozens of other companies made these S&W style top-breaks from the late 1800s through at least the 1940s. The quality runs from good to abysmal. Iver Johnsons are one of the better examples. If the timing is within tolerance, you should be fine. I don't know if I can narrow it down any more on the model though, as what you describe is the generic pistol of this type. It went through many, many changes over the course of it's production. Good luck, have fun, and if you decide to reload it (it is far cheaper to shoot that way), learn as much as you can about the cartridge. It uses a slightly larger diameter bullet than other .38s. You can sometimes get away with the regular .358 lead bullets, but accuracy may suffer. And for gods sake, don't try to load it hot. You'll end up being known as "Lefty" or "Stumpy" for the rest of your life.

-Mb

[TaySuth]

Thanks!

Trickster and Monkeyboy,

Thanks for the information. It is much appreciated. I will try to post more information when I pick it up next week. I also plan on taking it to my gunsmith so he can check the timing before I take it out. Hoping that it is that third model.

[GOEX FFF]

You can also try http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Unfortunately, the utmost expert of experts Bill Goforth on Iver Johnson and H&R Top Breaks who posted there, passed away last year. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=85835

But there are many guys on that forum who have extensive knowledge on them as well and can exactly date your revolver for you.

[TaySuth]

Goex,

Thanks for the reply. I originally posted this question on the firearms forum but received no replies. It is very sad to see that Mr. Goforth has passed away. He was the first and most consistent name I have seen associated with the old Iver Johnsons. I am hoping to use some of his old posts to fully identify the gun once I pick it up next week.

[redcliff]

Christmas present for your wife, and she can research what it is: http://www.gunshowbooks.com/cgi-bin/...5&sid=Iy3DVKQZ

They also may have some autographed copies left for $10 more.

[TaySuth]

Redcliff,

Great idea. Thanks for the link.

PS Love the Inigo picture.

[chillincody]

Wasnt president william mckinley get assasinated with that type of revolver ???

[Dutch3]

Yes, McKinley was killed by an Iver Johnson in 32 S&W.

TaySuth, many only had a partial serial number on the butt or trigger guard. You will find the complete serial number under the left grip.

[TaySuth]

Serial Number

Dutch3,

Thanks for that piece of info. The transfer table at the gun show couldn't decide whether or not the number on the butt was the serial number but went with it as if it was.

[TaySuth]

Alright, so I just picked up the gun and I am hoping to have enough information now for someone to help ID it. If not, I do have Bill Goforth's book coming in the mail for my wife.

Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works on top of barrel
4 inch barrel
Owls on grips with beaks facing the trigger
Trigger does has safety lever (I misremembered)
Patent Dates: June 16 1896 & August 25 1896
R96XX under the left grip
Top break

[TRICKSTER]

Sounds like a 2nd model.
Is the hammer exposed or internal?

[TRICKSTER]

Does it look like this? This one appears to be a transitional model as it has the single post latch system of the 1st model and the safety lever added onto the face of the trigger that was added on the 2nd model.

[TaySuth]

Trickster

Trickster,

It does look pretty similar except for the latch, the barrel, and the finish. From what I have been able to dig up, it does appear to be the 2nd model which means that I will be looking for some black powder loads.