Help with Iver Johnson's

riki · February 2, 2013, 04:16 PM

Hi,
Hoping you can assist. Inherited an Iver Johnsons:
5 shot
Double top latch top break.
Hammerless.
No safety lever on trigger.
No casing ejector.
Owls on grip face barrel.
Flat hammer spring.
Two cross pins under the cylinder.
3" barrel
Top barrel stamped with,
*IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS*
*FITCHBURG, MASS, USA*
Serial Number: U28530
Butt of the grip stamped with,
June 16 96 Aug 25 96
Sept 16 C4 PAT'S PENDING

My questions are: What model and variation is it, what is the caliber and is it designed for modern powder cartridges?

Thank you.

Wild-Bill · February 2, 2013, 09:00 PM

I have one that sounds just like yours. A .32 cal. hammerless 5 shot.
I pretty much think mine is 1899. Mine is pretty well worn and I would't feel comfortable firing it.
Bill W

Slamfire · February 2, 2013, 10:06 PM

Those were cheaply made revolvers and if yours is a pre WW1 era pistol, the materials back then were awful.

I have not found any indication that alloy steels were used in pre WW1 firearms, what was used was plain carbon steels and many handguns of the period, Colt/S&W did not heat treat the barrels/cylinders.

I really doubt cheap handguns were made any better and attempting to shoot such an old piece is very risky.

Wild-Bill · February 3, 2013, 04:47 PM

My .32 came from my grandfather. I am 68 and I know it hasn't been fired for at least 60 years, probably more.
It is just too loose. Loose at the top break. Cylinder front to back maybe .015 or more.
My best "safety" is on top of my shoulders.
New little "snubbies" are too cheap to buy rather than mess with an antique and hurt yourself. JMO
Bill W.

February 2, 2013, 04:16 PM	#1
riki Junior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Posts: 1	Help with Iver Johnson's Hi, Hoping you can assist. Inherited an Iver Johnsons: 5 shot Double top latch top break. Hammerless. No safety lever on trigger. No casing ejector. Owls on grip face barrel. Flat hammer spring. Two cross pins under the cylinder. 3" barrel Top barrel stamped with, IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG, MASS, USA Serial Number: U28530 Butt of the grip stamped with, June 16 96 Aug 25 96 Sept 16 C4 PAT'S PENDING My questions are: What model and variation is it, what is the caliber and is it designed for modern powder cartridges? Thank you.

February 2, 2013, 10:06 PM	#3
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Those were cheaply made revolvers and if yours is a pre WW1 era pistol, the materials back then were awful. I have not found any indication that alloy steels were used in pre WW1 firearms, what was used was plain carbon steels and many handguns of the period, Colt/S&W did not heat treat the barrels/cylinders. I really doubt cheap handguns were made any better and attempting to shoot such an old piece is very risky. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

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February 2, 2013, 09:00 PM	#2
Wild-Bill Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Posts: 83	I have one that sounds just like yours. A .32 cal. hammerless 5 shot. I pretty much think mine is 1899. Mine is pretty well worn and I would't feel comfortable firing it. Bill W

February 3, 2013, 04:47 PM	#4
Wild-Bill Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Posts: 83	My .32 came from my grandfather. I am 68 and I know it hasn't been fired for at least 60 years, probably more. It is just too loose. Loose at the top break. Cylinder front to back maybe .015 or more. My best "safety" is on top of my shoulders. New little "snubbies" are too cheap to buy rather than mess with an antique and hurt yourself. JMO Bill W.