Received from Gunbroker

Doc Hoy · August 25, 2013, 07:33 AM

Not sure why I bought this except it went for under fifty bucks.

This is an Iver Johnson First Model Safety Automatic in .32. Bicycle Revolver. (Not sure if it called that because it is small ad flexible enough to be carried and fired while also riding a bike, or because it was made by the Iver Johnson Firearm and Cycle Works.)

It was made sometime in 1894 or 5.

It is not shootable and prolly never will be. I just put a bid of 45.00 on it and no one else wanted it. (I reckon that is because 45.00 is more than it is worth.)

The action works after a fashion. First trigger pull causes the cylinder to rotate, the hammer operates properly. But the trigger does not return sufficiently to reset the hammer, so the second trigger pull fails to operate the revolver. Single action mode works fine.

Cylinder does not lock up.

I freed it up with B Blaster but the operation did not improve to any great extent.

Extractor mechanism seems fine.

This will be a good conversation piece.

pohill · August 25, 2013, 03:09 PM

Are the grips gutta percha?

Hawg · August 25, 2013, 03:56 PM

Either that or hard rubber. Looks like you gave about what it was worth, maybe a little more when you add shipping.

DoubleDeuce 1 · August 25, 2013, 04:03 PM

Doc,
That might take a black powder cartridge. I have one similar to that. The guy who owned it was a conductor on the railroad. It was his issued sidearm.

Hawg · August 25, 2013, 04:06 PM

It does take a bp cartridge.

Bishop Creek · August 25, 2013, 09:37 PM

"Bicycle Revolver" was a common term used by arms manufacturers back in the 1890s, early 1900s for a type of small revolver designed for protection while riding a bicycle.

Doc Hoy · August 25, 2013, 11:18 PM

Agree Hawg. Although I did not know its real value when I made my bid, I am not shocked that I over-paid. Wasn't really looking for a deal on this revolver.

Just something to add to the accumulation. I have an Iver Johnson .32 solid frame with a drop out cylinder which belonged to my Aunt. It was her bar gun. Also a clone of a small swing out Smith and Wesson made in Asia during the war and brought back by my father. Neither of them is safe to shoot and now I have a third wall hanger.

I am thinking I should try to accumulate enough to make a case for them. Three certainly is too few.

eightclicknine · August 26, 2013, 08:16 AM

"Bicycle Revolver" was a common term used by arms manufacturers back in the 1890s, early 1900s for a type of small revolver designed for protection while riding a bicycle.

Isn't that because they also made bicycles? Or am i thinking of a different company....

Bishop Creek · August 26, 2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Isn't that because they also made bicycles? Or am i thinking of a different company....

Iver Johnson did make bicycles too, but other arms makers also called their small, generally .32 cal revolvers, "Bicycle Revolvers."

Magnum Wheel Man · August 26, 2013, 11:25 AM

that one is pretty rough... but would look cool in a shadow box...

I have several... I've always been fascinated with this time period... so many advances, in mechanicals, pocket watches, with the insides all engraved, & fire arms...

my understanding, is that the "bicycle" guns were actually snubbies ( I have several from most of the period manufacturers ( my infatuation with snubbies, & guns of this period ran rampant with the cheap current cost to buy )

here's a very un-politically correct period add...

here's a Hopkins & Allen DAO

here's a DAO Iver Johnson with a trigger safety ala Glock

indy1919 · August 26, 2013, 01:09 PM

So love the looks of the turn of the century cheap/affordable pocket guns..

Doc Per overpaying????.. heck you can not get a neat toy gun got that price anymore.. and this one has a nice look

And Magnum , Many thanks for that ad.. I can never get tired of seeing that thing.. Even I can not believe that a gun maker would promote a ad with a child holding gun in bed like that. I realize it safe from an accidental discharge.. But it still has the trigger..

Doc Hoy · August 26, 2013, 03:45 PM

My spouse wants to go to the movies. We'll prolly spend nine bucks for a coupla ounces of stale popcorn and two table spoons of fake butter.

I pay an awful lot of money in the form of taxes. I don't perceive that I get consistent value for my money there.

Fifty bucks here or there is peanuts. Wasn't the first time I bought something I didn't need for an amount that was too much. Won't be the last if I can find another one like it.

I like the look of that hammerless, MWM.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 26, 2013, 03:58 PM

thanks...

I'm sure you've seen my wall rack pictures before... I have about 36 or so 22-44 guns from this era... most are top breaks... of the solid frames I collected so far, all have loading gates ( I just don't like the looks of an un gated loading port ) some of mine, may have even been unfired, prior to my use...but most are heavily used... I'm a huge fan of the Hopkins & allen Safety police of this era & was able to get a factory engraved model pretty early in my collecting...

some of my favorites are the single action spur trigger S&W's of the era... I have this one, shortened barrel long, long before I bought it... the re-nickeled barrel looks finish correct, somewhere around 75 ish years ago... of course S&W purists poo poo the modified gun, but the work was 1st rate, & long enough ago, that to me, it's a very early custom...

I have a 38 S&W similar to this, that I found a vintage pair of mother of pearl grips with S&W gold colored medallions, that is mechanically perfect, but ugly cosmetically... it's going to get a master high polish blue to go with those pearl grips...

BTW... nearly everyone of these were purchased off of Gun Broker...

Tidewater_Kid · August 26, 2013, 08:27 PM

I have a couple of IVER JOHNSON top breaks. One in much worse shape that yours and one that looks almost new. It's a safety hammerless. The flash makes it look different than it does in person.

TK

sltm1 · August 27, 2013, 11:51 AM

Here's my 2 (again). Magnum Wheel Man, my S&W barrel shortening is about 3 years old and done by moi. Mechanically it's perfect but the exterior sucks, didn't think I'd kill the value much

Magnum Wheel Man · August 27, 2013, 01:07 PM

... what can I say... I'm a snubbie guy... love the S&W...

BTW... the Iver looks to have a rarer longer barrel... I wouldn't chop that one

Jim Watson · August 27, 2013, 02:25 PM

Good chance for an education, Doc.
Wolff sells generic topbreak revolver springs for cutting and fitting.
You could probably get it running.

Doc Hoy · August 27, 2013, 02:44 PM

...In order to get it apart I need to drive the drift pins out.

I am afraid I will bung them up so bad the pistol won't go back together.

What is the real story on taking them out?

Jim Watson · August 27, 2013, 08:01 PM

Beats me.
JB Wood has a book of revolver disassembly that includes IJ.

Tidewater_Kid · August 27, 2013, 08:47 PM

Doc,

I found this:

http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/iveren.htm

Looks like it might be what you need.

TK

Doc Hoy · August 28, 2013, 03:47 AM

Thanks TK.

I'll give it a try.

thebser · August 28, 2013, 06:19 PM

ive been looking for one of those I have one that's been converted to a single shot 22 buy my grandfather! Ive been wanting one so I can put the 2 side by side\

thebser · August 28, 2013, 06:28 PM

im sorry I have a Hopkins and allens safety police converted to .22 single shot not an that gun......looks a lot alike

Doc Hoy · August 29, 2013, 02:32 AM

I think it is a good eBook but the software to download it opens your computer to a lot of additional routines that could wind up being pretty annoying.

I tried numerous times to get into the book without having to download the requisite software unsuccessfully.

Know what you are doing before carrying out the download.

Tidewater_Kid · August 29, 2013, 07:34 PM

Doc.

I hate that as it looks like it might b useful. I should have posted this link in place of the other...

http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/iveren.htm

I downloaded the zip file and went through the password steps. I was able to access the eBook with no additional software.

TK

August 25, 2013, 07:33 AM	#1
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Received from Gunbroker Not sure why I bought this except it went for under fifty bucks. This is an Iver Johnson First Model Safety Automatic in .32. Bicycle Revolver. (Not sure if it called that because it is small ad flexible enough to be carried and fired while also riding a bike, or because it was made by the Iver Johnson Firearm and Cycle Works.) It was made sometime in 1894 or 5. It is not shootable and prolly never will be. I just put a bid of 45.00 on it and no one else wanted it. (I reckon that is because 45.00 is more than it is worth.) The action works after a fashion. First trigger pull causes the cylinder to rotate, the hammer operates properly. But the trigger does not return sufficiently to reset the hammer, so the second trigger pull fails to operate the revolver. Single action mode works fine. Cylinder does not lock up. I freed it up with B Blaster but the operation did not improve to any great extent. Extractor mechanism seems fine. This will be a good conversation piece. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 25, 2013, 11:18 PM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Think it is hard rubber Agree Hawg. Although I did not know its real value when I made my bid, I am not shocked that I over-paid. Wasn't really looking for a deal on this revolver. Just something to add to the accumulation. I have an Iver Johnson .32 solid frame with a drop out cylinder which belonged to my Aunt. It was her bar gun. Also a clone of a small swing out Smith and Wesson made in Asia during the war and brought back by my father. Neither of them is safe to shoot and now I have a third wall hanger. I am thinking I should try to accumulate enough to make a case for them. Three certainly is too few. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 26, 2013, 03:45 PM	#12
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	As regards paying too much.... My spouse wants to go to the movies. We'll prolly spend nine bucks for a coupla ounces of stale popcorn and two table spoons of fake butter. I pay an awful lot of money in the form of taxes. I don't perceive that I get consistent value for my money there. Fifty bucks here or there is peanuts. Wasn't the first time I bought something I didn't need for an amount that was too much. Won't be the last if I can find another one like it. I like the look of that hammerless, MWM. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 26, 2013, 03:58 PM	#13
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	thanks... I'm sure you've seen my wall rack pictures before... I have about 36 or so 22-44 guns from this era... most are top breaks... of the solid frames I collected so far, all have loading gates ( I just don't like the looks of an un gated loading port ) some of mine, may have even been unfired, prior to my use...but most are heavily used... I'm a huge fan of the Hopkins & allen Safety police of this era & was able to get a factory engraved model pretty early in my collecting... some of my favorites are the single action spur trigger S&W's of the era... I have this one, shortened barrel long, long before I bought it... the re-nickeled barrel looks finish correct, somewhere around 75 ish years ago... of course S&W purists poo poo the modified gun, but the work was 1st rate, & long enough ago, that to me, it's a very early custom... I have a 38 S&W similar to this, that I found a vintage pair of mother of pearl grips with S&W gold colored medallions, that is mechanically perfect, but ugly cosmetically... it's going to get a master high polish blue to go with those pearl grips... BTW... nearly everyone of these were purchased off of Gun Broker... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 27, 2013, 01:07 PM	#16
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	... what can I say... I'm a snubbie guy... love the S&W... BTW... the Iver looks to have a rarer longer barrel... I wouldn't chop that one __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

August 25, 2013, 03:09 PM	#2
pohill Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2005 Location: northeast Posts: 521	Are the grips gutta percha?

August 25, 2013, 03:56 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Either that or hard rubber. Looks like you gave about what it was worth, maybe a little more when you add shipping.

August 25, 2013, 04:03 PM	#4
DoubleDeuce 1 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2013 Posts: 101	Doc, That might take a black powder cartridge. I have one similar to that. The guy who owned it was a conductor on the railroad. It was his issued sidearm.

August 25, 2013, 04:06 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	It does take a bp cartridge.

August 25, 2013, 09:37 PM	#6
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	"Bicycle Revolver" was a common term used by arms manufacturers back in the 1890s, early 1900s for a type of small revolver designed for protection while riding a bicycle.

August 26, 2013, 08:16 AM	#8
eightclicknine Member Join Date: July 11, 2013 Posts: 17	"Bicycle Revolver" was a common term used by arms manufacturers back in the 1890s, early 1900s for a type of small revolver designed for protection while riding a bicycle. Isn't that because they also made bicycles? Or am i thinking of a different company....

August 26, 2013, 01:09 PM	#11
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 277	So love the looks of the turn of the century cheap/affordable pocket guns.. Doc Per overpaying????.. heck you can not get a neat toy gun got that price anymore.. and this one has a nice look And Magnum , Many thanks for that ad.. I can never get tired of seeing that thing.. Even I can not believe that a gun maker would promote a ad with a child holding gun in bed like that. I realize it safe from an accidental discharge.. But it still has the trigger..

August 27, 2013, 02:25 PM	#17
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Good chance for an education, Doc. Wolff sells generic topbreak revolver springs for cutting and fitting. You could probably get it running.

August 27, 2013, 02:44 PM	#18
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Right Jim but.... ...In order to get it apart I need to drive the drift pins out. I am afraid I will bung them up so bad the pistol won't go back together. What is the real story on taking them out? __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 27, 2013, 08:01 PM	#19
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Beats me. JB Wood has a book of revolver disassembly that includes IJ.

August 27, 2013, 08:47 PM	#20
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Doc, I found this: http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/iveren.htm Looks like it might be what you need. TK Last edited by Tidewater_Kid; August 29, 2013 at 07:34 PM.

August 28, 2013, 03:47 AM	#21
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Yep.... Thanks TK. I'll give it a try. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 28, 2013, 06:19 PM	#22
thebser Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 95	OMG ive been looking for one of those I have one that's been converted to a single shot 22 buy my grandfather! Ive been wanting one so I can put the 2 side by side\

August 28, 2013, 06:28 PM	#23
thebser Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 95	... im sorry I have a Hopkins and allens safety police converted to .22 single shot not an that gun......looks a lot alike

August 29, 2013, 02:32 AM	#24
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Careful with the eBook link... I think it is a good eBook but the software to download it opens your computer to a lot of additional routines that could wind up being pretty annoying. I tried numerous times to get into the book without having to download the requisite software unsuccessfully. Know what you are doing before carrying out the download. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

August 29, 2013, 07:34 PM	#25
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Doc. I hate that as it looks like it might b useful. I should have posted this link in place of the other... http://www.hlebooks.com/ebook/iveren.htm I downloaded the zip file and went through the password steps. I was able to access the eBook with no additional software. TK Last edited by Tidewater_Kid; August 29, 2013 at 08:00 PM.