Iver Johnson's Arms and Cycle Works 5 shot revolver

[Iver J]

Grandfather gave me this revolver a while ago without any information and i've been trying to hunt down whatever i can find on it.

all i know is that it's double action 5 shot auto eject top break. coil spring in the grip, which from what i've read is post-1906.

does anybody else have information?

70545

[rintinglen]

Iver Johnson was by far the most prolific producer of handguns in the pre WWI era. They made in excess of 5 million revolvers between 1871 and 1917, more than Colt, Smith and Wesson and Remington combined. Most were chambered for 22's, or 32's, but they made a pile of 38 S&W's too. Their top-of-the line guns, which is what you seem to have there, were pretty good. Many variations exist: hammerless, solid frame, adjustible sight target models, but all were inexpensive, and generally serviceable.

Top break guns such as yours in 38 S&W usually go for 150-300 dollars, depending on condition, with 32 caliber guns running slightly lower, and 22's usually below that.
If the lock up was tight, and the cylinder gap and head space were ok, I'd have no qualms shooting FACTORY 38 S&W rounds through it. (No hot loads--there are a handfull of folks who love the 38 S&W and boldly load to the redline for it. This is not the gun with which to do so).

[Iver J]

thanks for the info, now i can actually shoot it rather than letting is rust in the closet while i wait for my reloading equipment

[x101airborne]

Yep, lots of 38 S&W ammo being made right now. I even handload some for my H&R's. I use cut down 38 spl cases, 3F black powder and a 130 grain round nose boolit. It shoots a little low on the sights, but not bad enough to matter to me.

[hightime]

I just bought a 32 very much like yours.70581 Not the nickel, but the blued.

Owen

[desi23]

With the coil mainspring you have a third model safety hammer revolver. If you look under the left grip you should find the complete serial number which will often have a letter prefix. If you post it the actual year of production can be determined. The third model was the first one to be approved for smokeless powder by IJ and remained in production till WWII.

[gwpercle]

Them top breaks are so cool. Try and get some info from your grandfather so you can pass it along to the next generation. Give it a good cleaning and oiling...these old ones seem to accumulate a little grime in the nooks and crannies.

Nice inheritance.

Gary

[firefly1957]

I have my grandmother's Iver Johnson 32 pistol it is a true 32 using outside lubricated bullets instead of the smaller bullet that loads into the case. The little gun does have a claim to fame it made Teddy Roosevelt president!

[Iver J]

serial number is C47214

found under the grip

[Milsurp Junkie]

It was made in 1911 towards the first half of the year C35901-C62500, 26,600 of those revolvers made that year, and it is the first variation of the Third Model Safety Automatic Hammer Revolver in 38 S&W. Safe to shoot smokeless in.
MJ

[AFJoe]

Would anyone happen to have information on a similar Ivers and Johnson pistol....has hammer....serial number on underside of trigger guard is 16585.

[IridiumRed]

With the coil mainspring you have a third model safety hammer revolver. If you look under the left grip you should find the complete serial number which will often have a letter prefix. If you post it the actual year of production can be determined. The third model was the first one to be approved for smokeless powder by IJ and remained in production till WWII.

+1

I've always heard that the main spring was the thing to look for on these - if its got the coil mainspring, its safe with smokeless. REASONABLE smokeless loads of course... as has been mentioned :)

Which, by the way, is a really really handy thing - to be able to tell so easily. Seems like with most firearms in the "transitional period" of 1890 - 1910, its usually not so easy to tell whether they are designed for smokeless or not. Sometimes it comes down to serial numbers, design differences, etc. Unfortunately, for some models stuck right in the middle, its never certain at all whether the gun WAS designed for smokeless or not. I've heard about a fair amount of uncertainty for colt SAA's that fall in the middle of the range (that, and its hard to know whether the gun was built for smokeless, but has had parts swapped out since it was built... and may now wear parts originally made for black powder guns....)

[mikeym1a]

Just remember that the .38S&W cartridge is a low pressure cartridge, even with smokeless powder. In a modern solid frame revolver, it can be loaded almost to the equal of the .38 Special, but for that gun, follow the loading manual. I have several in of them in both .38S&W, and .32S&WL. They are shootable, but mine are not collectable. I have always found them fascinating. Could never hit the side of barn with them using the sights! Always shot high and to the right. Neat guns, though.

[bmahaney]

i know a older thread but im hoping to get some help getting to the bottom of this gun.116851116850

[bmahaney]

i hope this is enough info to help me find out date, model and whether i can use modern ammo. it is a top break with a hammer.

[NJ49]

i know a older thread but im hoping to get some help getting to the bottom of this gun.116851116850

The flat mainspring was used in the 1st and 2nd models up til about 1909. Your two line patent dates were used in 1905 and 1906. The "Q" prefix of the serial number was used on the large frame hammer model (38 S&W) in 1906.

Hope this helps.

[donkee]

I have my Great Grandmothers IJ hammer less in 38 S&W. I load BP carts to shoot in it. Fun gun. I take it out very rarely though, just to make sure nothing every happens to it.

I remember when I was a kid hearing the story of the time she shot a burglar in the leg.

[dubber123]

I have my Great Grandmothers IJ hammer less in 38 S&W. I load BP carts to shoot in it. Fun gun. I take it out very rarely though, just to make sure nothing every happens to it.

I remember when I was a kid hearing the story of the time she shot a burglar in the leg.

If it had the same trigger pull as my last 3 IJ's, she was probably aiming for his head.. ;)

[44man]

Must be 50 years since I worked on one, leaf spring that broke, made a new spring. That is when I learned what a .38 S&W can do!
Had to test fire in Cleveland so I stacked 2X4's on the back floor of my old mans junker. I leaned over the front seat and shot 6 into the boards. Every boolit was sticking halfway out of the first board. Penetration about 1/4".
How did they ever figure the caliber was worth anything? Heavy coat was armor. Fun to shoot though.

[martinc]

I am trying to find out if my ij 32cal. top break pistol is able to shoot smokeless powder. the SN is N33227 and has a flat spring under the grip. I cant find anywhere on the internet to check the serial#. Any help would be appreciated, someone at a gun shop said it should be okay, but I would like to be sure. Thanks