Iver johnson topbreak

[TUG]

looking for info on one of these. my cousin just got one and the question is what caliber? 38 S&W or 38 short colt? no visible markings,he is thinking 38 short.
Thanks,
Ron

[colonelsanders]

My Iver johnson top break (2ND model) is in 38 S&W. It is not currenty safe to shoot in its worn condition as the first and second model did not have positive cylinder lockup. Minor wear leads to the cylinder misaligningning from the barrel, increasing the forces on all the parts and quickly making the gun dangerous.

I hope he has the 4 pin third model.

[turtlezx]

ive got the 2nd model also 38sw trying to find what if any smokless powder is safe to use init ???
1st and 2nd models are black powder . and no markings on the gun to say so !!!
the 3rd model is for smokless

post a pic of it

[TUG]

i've yet to see it,but he did say it had no caliber markings any where. how to tell the Blackpowder ones from the later smokeless ones?

[Bret4207]

All the IJ 38's I've seen were 38 S+W, never heard of an IJ in Short Colt.

[colonelsanders]

From my research, there seems to bd some argument on the topic of black vs smokless powder.

The first model is blackpowder ONLY!! It has a single latch lug.

The second model was strengthened with the second lug and it appears to have the same strength as the third model. The third model has the positive cylinder lockup and the conclusion seems to be rather unanimous the the third model is good for smokless.

The word on the street is that factory loads are downloaded to blackpowder levels to limit liability.

[turtlezx]

Your ij 38sw is a smokeless 3rd version IF it has these features



1 owl is looking straight down the grip
2 if the right side of the frame has 4 pins
3 double latch barrel to frame
4 main spring is a coil

if you dont see all of these features yours is for bp

hope this helps
turtle

[TUG]

that helps! thanks i will pass it on