Iver Johnson and cycle works

74camaroman · November 10, 2006, 07:11 PM

My neighbor was given a hand gun, a .32 caliber IVER jOHNSON AND CYCLE WORKS was printed on the top of the barrel. It is a chrome plated gun with 90% of the plating peeling off, has seen better days. It has some numbers on the butt of the grip but almost impossible to read. The gun brakes down by pressing a knob just in front of the hammer and the barrel hinges just in front of the trigger guard. It is a double action, 5 shot 32 caliber but I have never heard of this gun maker other than them making M1 carbines. Can anyone give me some information on this gun as to when it was manufactured? I wish that I could supply more information but the numbers are just inpossible to read. Thanks Bob

Steven Mace · November 10, 2006, 08:54 PM

Bob, it sounds like you might be describing an Iver Johnson Safety Hammer model. Try visiting the link below and look at the pictures there to see if any match you neighbor's revolver.

http://www2.arkansas.net/~sws1/ij-pix.htm

Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

mete · November 12, 2006, 09:37 PM

Why did they make revolvers and bicycles ? Because in the late 1800s police often rode bicycles !!!

Just like some do today !

RJay · November 15, 2006, 05:33 PM

74camaroman, Iver Johnson probable ( no, I know they did) made more handguns than Smith and Wesson and Colt put together. In fact the carbine copy ( they bought out Plainsfield) was just a small late footnote in their story.

michael t · November 15, 2006, 05:53 PM

I have a top break in 38S&W not the best caliber but a nice little piece of history. I shoot mine now and then . Hav ever been knowned to drop in pocket and carry. Their not worth a whole lot but I like mine and I guess that what matters.

74camaroman · November 16, 2006, 12:45 AM

I want to thank everyone for their input on this Iver Johnson .32 pistola. I like the webb site and found out some more information. On the bottom of the trigger guard it has the numbers 58551 and on the butt of the grip it has PAT 25 Aug and then what looks like 06 and below that it says Pat Pending. I plan to take the grip off and see what code is under the grip. It looks like the one in the picture. I made a mistake when I stated that 90% of the chrome is worn off, only about 40 is missing but the chrome has little pitt missing chrome or nickel if you prefer to call it that. My neighbor asked if it was even feasible that he could have the gun re-nickeled, I told him to keep it just the way it is, because it would be worth more to someone looking for a gun like that. I had to use a 10 power Loop just to read the numbers on the butt bottom. Again thank you for giving me such good information. Bob

November 10, 2006, 07:11 PM	#1
74camaroman Member Join Date: April 24, 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 50	Iver Johnson and cycle works My neighbor was given a hand gun, a .32 caliber IVER jOHNSON AND CYCLE WORKS was printed on the top of the barrel. It is a chrome plated gun with 90% of the plating peeling off, has seen better days. It has some numbers on the butt of the grip but almost impossible to read. The gun brakes down by pressing a knob just in front of the hammer and the barrel hinges just in front of the trigger guard. It is a double action, 5 shot 32 caliber but I have never heard of this gun maker other than them making M1 carbines. Can anyone give me some information on this gun as to when it was manufactured? I wish that I could supply more information but the numbers are just inpossible to read. Thanks Bob

November 10, 2006, 08:54 PM	#2
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	Bob, it sounds like you might be describing an Iver Johnson Safety Hammer model. Try visiting the link below and look at the pictures there to see if any match you neighbor's revolver. http://www2.arkansas.net/~sws1/ij-pix.htm Hope this helps! Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

November 15, 2006, 05:53 PM	#5
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 4,044	I have a top break in 38S&W not the best caliber but a nice little piece of history. I shoot mine now and then . Hav ever been knowned to drop in pocket and carry. Their not worth a whole lot but I like mine and I guess that what matters. __________________ Certified Armed Infidel Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB, PPK/S, American Classic 1911,Bersa Thunder 380 http://bersachat.comHome of Bersa http://www.metroarms1911forum.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

November 12, 2006, 09:37 PM	#3
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Why did they make revolvers and bicycles ? Because in the late 1800s police often rode bicycles !!! Just like some do today !

November 15, 2006, 05:33 PM	#4
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	74camaroman, Iver Johnson probable ( no, I know they did) made more handguns than Smith and Wesson and Colt put together. In fact the carbine copy ( they bought out Plainsfield) was just a small late footnote in their story.

November 16, 2006, 12:45 AM	#6
74camaroman Member Join Date: April 24, 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 50	I want to thank everyone for their input on this Iver Johnson .32 pistola. I like the webb site and found out some more information. On the bottom of the trigger guard it has the numbers 58551 and on the butt of the grip it has PAT 25 Aug and then what looks like 06 and below that it says Pat Pending. I plan to take the grip off and see what code is under the grip. It looks like the one in the picture. I made a mistake when I stated that 90% of the chrome is worn off, only about 40 is missing but the chrome has little pitt missing chrome or nickel if you prefer to call it that. My neighbor asked if it was even feasible that he could have the gun re-nickeled, I told him to keep it just the way it is, because it would be worth more to someone looking for a gun like that. I had to use a 10 power Loop just to read the numbers on the butt bottom. Again thank you for giving me such good information. Bob