Can you identify these guns?

hknut · May 29, 2008, 03:26 PM

Gun #1 is a break action like the S&W Scofield. Caliber is .38S&W. there are no markings except the serial number which is 101XX.

Gun #2 is marked model 1900, with no other markings. I can't even find a serial number anywhere.

Any help, would be put to good use. Thank you in advance.

Tom2 · May 29, 2008, 05:57 PM

Usually the top breaks have the data on the top rib. I have not consulted any books but the top break resembles an Iver Johnson and the lower one resembles a U.S. Arms. The logo on the grips should be a clue. In the condition that appears in the photos, probably not worth very much exept as conversation pieces. Lot of the inexpensive revolvers made from 1870's to late 1920's resemble each other very closely. Would not fire or attempt to do anything like that with them unless they were in pristine condition and tight. Even then some are not safe except with black powder cartridges. Smokeless proofed ones will work with the commercial ammo with the lead bullets and rather cautious( they know someone will fire some in weak guns) loads that don't develop very high MV. I would not risk my fingers firing either one.

Hawg · May 29, 2008, 07:06 PM

They're both Iver Johnson. Top one is a safety hammerless. U.S. Revolver was a trade name used by Iver Johnson for their cheaper grade. Those had U.S. on the grips instead of the owl head. Serial numbers weren't required in the U.S. until 1968.

hknut · June 2, 2008, 02:17 AM

Thanks for the info guys. The top break has no info anywhere. Except the serial number. And the oppsite is true for the Double action it has the model with no Serial number. I will start looking for abook with Iver's in it.

Sidetracked · June 2, 2008, 05:26 AM

I recently resurrected another example of the Iver Johnson top-break you posted. It is a relatively easy pistol to work on.

If you have any stiffness or jamming while opening and closing it, check the internal cam at the hinge point. It is prone to wear, and skipping over the ejector rod.

Everything else is easy to figure out.

hknut · June 6, 2008, 11:29 PM

I have found prices as low as $80, to as high as $250.

June 2, 2008, 02:17 AM	#4
hknut Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: Olympia, Wa. Posts: 535	Thanks for the info guys. The top break has no info anywhere. Except the serial number. And the oppsite is true for the Double action it has the model with no Serial number. I will start looking for abook with Iver's in it. __________________ "Gun control is like trying to reduce Drunk Driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars" Walk softly and carry a big SIG.

June 2, 2008, 05:26 AM	#5
Sidetracked Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2008 Location: Henrietta, FL Posts: 306	I recently resurrected another example of the Iver Johnson top-break you posted. It is a relatively easy pistol to work on. If you have any stiffness or jamming while opening and closing it, check the internal cam at the hinge point. It is prone to wear, and skipping over the ejector rod. Everything else is easy to figure out. __________________ Feel free to disagree with my opinion. -I do it all the time.

June 6, 2008, 11:29 PM	#6
hknut Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: Olympia, Wa. Posts: 535	I have found prices as low as $80, to as high as $250. __________________ "Gun control is like trying to reduce Drunk Driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars" Walk softly and carry a big SIG.

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May 29, 2008, 05:57 PM	#2
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Usually the top breaks have the data on the top rib. I have not consulted any books but the top break resembles an Iver Johnson and the lower one resembles a U.S. Arms. The logo on the grips should be a clue. In the condition that appears in the photos, probably not worth very much exept as conversation pieces. Lot of the inexpensive revolvers made from 1870's to late 1920's resemble each other very closely. Would not fire or attempt to do anything like that with them unless they were in pristine condition and tight. Even then some are not safe except with black powder cartridges. Smokeless proofed ones will work with the commercial ammo with the lead bullets and rather cautious( they know someone will fire some in weak guns) loads that don't develop very high MV. I would not risk my fingers firing either one. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

May 29, 2008, 07:06 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	They're both Iver Johnson. Top one is a safety hammerless. U.S. Revolver was a trade name used by Iver Johnson for their cheaper grade. Those had U.S. on the grips instead of the owl head. Serial numbers weren't required in the U.S. until 1968.