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Iver Johnson Serial number help

61K views 23 replies 8 participants last post by  gdmoody 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I want to verify the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson Safety Hammer Model I'm refinishing. The serial number (F35039) indicates that it was made in 1897-1899 time frame. It's in .32 S&W caliber with a double top latch. I was told there's a fella that haunts this particular forum who is an expert on the Iver Johnson's. What I would really like is an actual list or a website that I could go to for schematics and serial number information.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
 
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#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
" Iver Johnson, Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993, Author W.E. Goforth " is about the only accurate reference material you are going to find. There is one site on the net, but it is filled with so many errors I feel the site is actually dangerous. The above author, Bill Goforth passed away several years ago ( read the stickie at the top of forums ), he was the true expert on all things Iver Johnson. Many of the contributors on the forum have his book and can answer questions.
 
#7 ·
Hello I'm new at this forum thing so If I mess please forgive me.
Anyhoo, I am looking for some information on an Iver Johnson Fire Arms and Cyle Works Fitchburg Mass USA (written on top of the barrel) revolver that shoots 38 SW Shorts (I've been told). S/n 47148 (which is on the bottom trigger guard and under the cylinder as well on the left side of the grip under the hard plastic owl grips). The owl face faces the butt of handle.

I have searched via the regular web search engines as well as the Iver Johnson web site (which there is a picture of this particular revolver) and that's how I got here. After reading the numerous post and not getting the exact information I am looking for and now have more questions from the bevy of information garnished here.

There are no lettes in front of the serial number
There is also no model identified
I would like to know what year it was manufactured.
 
#8 ·
Hello I'm new at this forum thing so If I mess please forgive me.
Anyhoo, I am looking for some information on an Iver Johnson Fire Arms and Cyle Works Fitchburg Mass USA (written on top of the barrel) revolver that shoots 38 SW Shorts (I've been told). S/n 47148 (which is on the bottom trigger guard and under the cylinder as well on the left side of the grip under the hard plastic owl grips). The owl face faces the butt of handle.

I have searched via the regular web search engines as well as the Iver Johnson web site (which there is a picture of this particular revolver) and that's how I got here. After reading the numerous post and not getting the exact information I am looking for and now have more questions from the bevy of information garnished here.

There are no lettes in front of the serial number
There is also no model identified
I would like to know what year it was manufactured.
Welcome to TFF, but we're going to need clear photos of all the markings to confirm what model you have:

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/iver-johnson-or-u-s-revolver-co-serial-numbers.90427/
 
#13 ·
What type and caliber? Based on the info you provided it looks like you have a Safety Hammer model in .38 caliber made around 1904 - 1905.
 
#14 ·
Thank you sir. Yes, it is a .38. I don't know enough about it yet to know what "safety hammer" is. I don't know if it has the original hand grips on it. I see that most of the Iver Johnsons on here have owls on the top of the grip. These say F&W with a shield under that and an 8 point star around the screw.
 
#15 ·
Safety Hammer means that the revolver has a transfer bar safety and has a hammer. You might also hear the term: Automatic.. That was used in the top-break revolvers to mean that the spent shell cases eject "automatically" when you break open the revolver. The F&W stands for Forehand & Wadsworth which sold out to Hopkins & Allen. All these folks made top-break revolvers for a time. How about uploading a picture of you firearm for us. I'm a little confused on what you have.. Iver Johnson with F&W grips..?
 
#18 ·
I agree with hrf... The grips are a replacement. You will also find that grip panels from H&R revolvers can be made to fit with little modification. Thanks for the pictures. You have a nice revolver. FYI, do not shoot modern S&W 38's. These earlier models were made for lighter black powder loads. It would not be safe to fire modern ammunition through this firearm.
 
#20 ·
These should be the replacements you need: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/492710D.htm

Without actually having the gun in hand to inspect it, I would say you are looking at about (with Owl Head grips) about $140 to $150... Yours is a 2nd model. There was a model made to accept modern smokeless powder but it used coil springs and had 4 cross frame pins. Personally I would keep it the way you got it and put it aside. You might consider taking it to a gunsmith for a quick going over. because there is ammo out there safe to fire in your revolver.
 
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