Iver Johnson Safety Automatic .32 Model #?

easyliven88 · June 25, 2016, 06:56 AM

Hello all, what I have is an Iver Johnson top break in .32 with a 4 inch barrel. S/N B25419, I'm thinking this might be a 1st or 2nd model. The action works fine, quite the trigger pull. Definitely need a good cleaning. Here are some pics, any info/advice is always welcome. Thanks

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Tidewater_Kid · June 25, 2016, 09:54 AM

I think these are neat little pistols. I have a couple. This is a second model small frame hammerless. Goforth's book shows this one would have been manufactured in the 1900 range. These are black power cartridge models and have to be loaded very carefully. Gad custom cartridges stocks loads for these.

The missing front sight might be a challenge to find. Numrich has the .38 one, but not the .32. Might have better luck on eBay.

TK

James K · June 25, 2016, 09:52 PM

I believe the front sight blades for the .38 and .32 are the same. No one worried a lot about sight height with guns made for 2 yard shooting.

I never bothered with buying those blades even when they were available; I made them out of sheet nickel or an actual nickel 5-cent piece. Make it a bit oversize and tap it in place and it won't need soldering.

Jim

easyliven88 · June 26, 2016, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the info fella's, I purchased this neat little pistol just for restoration purposes. No plans to actually fire it once complete, just admire and pass on to future generations.

BTW, are the grips originals?

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gyvel · June 26, 2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

BTW, are the grips originals?

Probably not.

Tidewater_Kid · June 26, 2016, 07:13 PM

I agree with gyvel. They are replacements. Should be black Bakelite with owl heads.

TK

gyvel · June 27, 2016, 12:54 AM

Quote:

I agree with gyvel. They are replacements. Should be black Bakelite with owl heads.

Mother of Pearl or ivory grips were available from the factory at an extra charge, but those, although they fit pretty well, aren't as well fit as a set that was installed at the factory.

Tidewater_Kid · June 27, 2016, 08:34 AM

Wouldn't you think that factory grips would have some sort of embellishment on them? I agree that the fit is not great either.

TK

James K · June 27, 2016, 05:04 PM

Factory grips usually had some indication of factory use, but not always. Nonetheless, those are almost certainly either home-made grips or made from grips for another gun.

Jim

June 25, 2016, 06:56 AM	#1
easyliven88 Member Join Date: June 7, 2013 Location: Macomb County Michigan Posts: 85	Iver Johnson Safety Automatic .32 Model #? Hello all, what I have is an Iver Johnson top break in .32 with a 4 inch barrel. S/N B25419, I'm thinking this might be a 1st or 2nd model. The action works fine, quite the trigger pull. Definitely need a good cleaning. Here are some pics, any info/advice is always welcome. Thanks Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

June 26, 2016, 05:11 PM	#4
easyliven88 Member Join Date: June 7, 2013 Location: Macomb County Michigan Posts: 85	Iver Johnson Safety Automatic .32 Model #? Thanks for the info fella's, I purchased this neat little pistol just for restoration purposes. No plans to actually fire it once complete, just admire and pass on to future generations. BTW, are the grips originals? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

June 27, 2016, 08:34 AM	#8
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Wouldn't you think that factory grips would have some sort of embellishment on them? I agree that the fit is not great either. TK Last edited by Tidewater_Kid; June 28, 2016 at 08:00 AM.

June 25, 2016, 09:54 AM	#2
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I think these are neat little pistols. I have a couple. This is a second model small frame hammerless. Goforth's book shows this one would have been manufactured in the 1900 range. These are black power cartridge models and have to be loaded very carefully. Gad custom cartridges stocks loads for these. The missing front sight might be a challenge to find. Numrich has the .38 one, but not the .32. Might have better luck on eBay. TK

June 25, 2016, 09:52 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I believe the front sight blades for the .38 and .32 are the same. No one worried a lot about sight height with guns made for 2 yard shooting. I never bothered with buying those blades even when they were available; I made them out of sheet nickel or an actual nickel 5-cent piece. Make it a bit oversize and tap it in place and it won't need soldering. Jim

June 26, 2016, 07:13 PM	#6
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I agree with gyvel. They are replacements. Should be black Bakelite with owl heads. TK

June 27, 2016, 05:04 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Factory grips usually had some indication of factory use, but not always. Nonetheless, those are almost certainly either home-made grips or made from grips for another gun. Jim