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gyvel · March 26, 2011, 04:27 PM

According to what I could find in Goforth's book on IJ revolvers, you have an "1896 Second Model, '1897 Second Variation With Separate Shroud.' "

The "1896 Second Model, '1898 Third Variation' " had another patent date added (Mar. 13, 88) which is absent on your example.

However, there is a conflict in the book where Goforth states that the 1898 Third Variation serial number range is D33001 to D66500. Per his information, though, your gun is supposed to be a Second Variation (according to the barrel markings) whose serial range is D00001 to D33000.

So your gun was made in either 1897 or 1898, but only it knows for sure.

Your gun is definitely not suitable for smokeless powder; It also qualifies as an antique (pre-1899) and is not considered an FFL firearm under Federal law.

March 26, 2011, 04:27 PM	#3
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	According to what I could find in Goforth's book on IJ revolvers, you have an "1896 Second Model, '1897 Second Variation With Separate Shroud.' " The "1896 Second Model, '1898 Third Variation' " had another patent date added (Mar. 13, 88) which is absent on your example. However, there is a conflict in the book where Goforth states that the 1898 Third Variation serial number range is D33001 to D66500. Per his information, though, your gun is supposed to be a Second Variation (according to the barrel markings) whose serial range is D00001 to D33000. So your gun was made in either 1897 or 1898, but only it knows for sure. Your gun is definitely not suitable for smokeless powder; It also qualifies as an antique (pre-1899) and is not considered an FFL firearm under Federal law.