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Iver Johnson Top-break 32

1K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  Old Grumpy 
#1 ·
Thanks for allowing me to join your forum. I wish to ask a question regarding an old Iver Johnson Hammerless Top-break .32 S&W a friend of mine just purchased. Being a good friend I offered to give the old pistol a much needed cleaning. I also told him I'd try to find any information available on it.

He thought it was a ".38 short" but a good look proved it to be a .32. It is a typical Iver Johnson five shot top-break with a 5" barrel. It has a good patina but the bore looks "rough". I do not note any pitting but it does look somewhat "uneven". There are serial numbers on the trigger guard, under the left grip panel, and another serial number stamped under the top strap. They all match the last five numbers with the one under the grip panel either having a zero preceding the numbers or the letter "O" before the numbers.

The cylinder "free-wheels" when at rest. It originally appears to have been blued but there is little original finish left. I would say it is the small frame and I am sure it is a .32.

Can anyone tell me the approximate age? I believe this is designed for a black powder cartridge. Am I correct? I will try to take a couple pictures of it and post them later.

Grumpy
 
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#3 ·
My friend wasn't looking for a shooter so this will not be an issue. It belonged to the grandfather of a friend of his. This friend's grandfather, according to the family, worked for the local hometown gangster. He gave the pistol to this fellow's grandfather because he carried "mob money" from Chicago to the local gangster. None of this can be supported or documented but my friend is pleased as punch anyway. :)

Thanks for the info,
Grumpy
 
#4 ·
Here are some photos I took today, at least the ones that would load. :)

Grumpy
 

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