Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

Gentlemen, I need some help identifying a pistol. Any input would be appreciated.

As stated, it is an Iver Johnson hammerless pistol

S.N. 59963 stamped outside under the trigger guard
S.N. U59963 was located under the grip under the left side of the butt strap

Top of the barrel reads:

Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works
Fitchburg, Mass U.S.A.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

Welcome to the forum, Warren.

The U serial number prefix was used only on the second model small frame .32 S&W caliber hammerless.

SN U59963 was made in 1908 for black powder ammunition, the last year before upgrades for smokeless powder.

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

Thanks for the welcome hrf, and the valuable information. I appreciate them both. I did notice that there was some rifling in the barrel. Do you know when that became a common practice with black powder ammunition?

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

?? - Gun barrels were rifled long before the invention of smokeless powder, and when new the rifling in your gun and later smokeless powder models would have been the same. But black powder was corrosive, and if guns were not cleaned properly after firing the rifling was damaged.

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

???.....sorry, didn't claim to be a gun geek by any means, was just curious. I do however appreciate all the info. Great time searching around all the forums. Thanks again

Warren

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

And I apologize if my question marks offended; I just wasn't sure if I understood what you were asking.

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

Oh, no offense taken hrf, you answered my question as to the rifled barrel just as I asked. I really wasn't sure. Sorry, I guess the question marks did look a bit off color with the following remark. Nothing like typing to lose the context! Thanks again!

Warren

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

help

SN on trigger guard : 32919
SN under grip : B32319
Dates on Butt : June 16 96 Aug 25 96
T.16.04 PETS PEND

Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless Pistol
 

See reply to your other post.