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A Little Help From my Friends...IJ Top Break 38

1K views 16 replies 5 participants last post by  Firpo 
#1 ·
I've been looking for a couple of years now to no avail. I have an old Iver Johnson top break safety hammerless 38, I believe it's a first model, dated Aug 25, 96. It needs a new cylinder and if you wouldn't mind keeping your eyes peeled for one in your travels I'd be grateful. Old family relic and I'd like to get it running if I can.

Much Thanks
 
#2 ·
Bob's Gun Shop (www.gun-parts.com) lists "old top break NEW CYLINDERS (his caps, not mine)" @ $50 near the bottom of his Iver Johnson parts column. They're chromed, and for a successful match you'd have to send him specs of the original cylinder, dimensions, notch placement and so forth. Bob's is a one man operation as I recall, and in the past I've found FAX's the best way to send inquiries and receive any sort of timely response. You should also try Jack First (www.jackfirstgun.com).
 
#3 ·
Thanks Mac. I've tried a couple of times to reach Bob's, although not by fax. I'll give it's a shot.
Just for grins, here are some pics.
 

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#4 ·
Just for the heck of it I went to Ebay and entered Iver Johnon in the search box. Several sub-categories popped up, including Iver Johnson Revolvers. At least two .38 IJ top break cylinders are listed in this sub-category. Don't know if they're the same as your's, but it might be worth a look.
 
#5 ·
Mac,

Thank you for checking. I checked them out and neither match the threads on the one I need. I REALLY appreciate your help. Someday I may find one.
 
#6 ·
I have a few top breaks in my drawer at home, I'll dig them out and snap some pictures for ya, I know I have at least ONE top break Iver Johnson and it's really just a parts pistol, I just don't remember if it's a .38 or .32 but like I said, I'll dig them all out and check for ya :)
 
#7 ·
NP, that is very kind of you. I know they were inexpensive guns but this one was my great-grandfather's brother's and it would be nice to get it repaired. I went through quite a process to get the ammunition. Contacted a company here locally that "assured" me that the ammunition they loaded would not exceed the pressures of black powder. Well I managed to get one round off, which hit it's target by the way, and the cylinder cracked. I think you can even see the crack in the picture. I'm thinking about maybe learning a bit about black powder cartridges. Considering pulling these and coming up with some loads. That is should I ever find the cylinder. Again, thank you for checking and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Merry Christmas
 
#8 ·
I will check as well. I have three five gallon buckets full of old top-breaks and Saturday night specials and parts that I have been saving for a buy-back program (I am going to let the government buy me something nice just as soon as they do a buy back in my state!). I know I have several .32's Iver Johnson's, but I am not sure if I have a .38? I will check in the next few days as time allows.
 
#10 ·
I found two Iver Johnson's in my drawer and unfortunately they are both .32's... Sorry I didn't have one for you. I will do some asking around and searching though, see if any of the other guys I get parts from might have one. Hopefully TyeDye1971 will come across one in his bucket.
 
#12 ·
Firpo,

Sorry, I checked my buckets and turned up 7 Iver Johnson Top-Breaks, and everyone of them were .32's including two early models. If it is an early model it will have the side release lever on the side of the top strap. I will keep looking at auctions locally. I run across old top breaks about 10 times a year and buy up everyone of them I can get cheap. You can also find parts from time to time on eBay and *********. The only way that I would buy a cylinder on eBay is it needs to have the barrel present so you can make sure it has the side release (if that is what yours has). There are way too many people on there selling gun parts and don't know what they are on eBay. I'll keep looking locally.
 
#13 ·
That would be great TyeDye. I really appreciate the effort. Here's a picture of the release as you mentioned. I believe it to be an old model however not 100% as I'm not up on my IJ's. I was told to pay special attention to the threads on the cylinder as that's giveaway as to my model. I included pics of the cylinder earlier and hope they will help.

Thanks again
 

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#15 ·
Thanks tyedye,

There may be one that might work. Just sent the seller a request for a better pic of the threads on the cylinder.

Thank You
 
#17 ·
45,

No Sir. May not be able to see it in the picture but the first pull of the trigger and the cylinder cracked from end to end. So sad.
 
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