Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" - The Firearms Forum

Ithaca-dbl12 · 04-20-2012, 11:27 PM

Last nite a friend gave me an old Iver Johnson .22 rim fire, 7 round revolver. Very beat up. Someone shortened the barrel which unscrews from the body. I think this is best as a wall hanging. Maybe one of you can shed some light on age and further details. The markings on the top are "I.J. TARGET Model" and "Model 1900 Fitchburg, MASS U.S.A." Serial number under the wooden handle is A32497 and on the finger guard 32497. I've cleaned it up and gotten it "more functional" but it is very well worn. I've included a photo to help in identification.

Hammerslagger · 04-20-2012, 11:58 PM

Can you remove the grips and take & post pics of the mainspring. This revolver was made into the late 1930's or later.

hrf · 04-21-2012, 07:12 AM

Welcome to the forum. Your Model 1900 Target was made in 1928, and originally had a 6" or 9" barrel. The walnut target grip has also been shortened and rounded.

wonderwhippet · 04-21-2012, 10:06 AM

I had one in really nice shape with six inch barrel and about 95% nickel finish, tight lockup, excellent grips, etc. Though it would chamber .22 long rifle cartridges, I conservatively fired only CB caps in it. Had it on my table for several gun shows and it finally sold for $165.

Ithaca-dbl12 · 04-21-2012, 02:09 PM

Here are some more photos. Barrel does have nice rifling. Gun appears to never have been plated, most likely blued.

Phil

Hammerslagger · 04-21-2012, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the extra pics. "hrf" has determined that your revolver is circa 1928.

Barrels (likely original IJ, in 4.5" and 6") may still be available from Numrich for about $30 to $40 delivered. However they will likely require fitting, which is usually a job for a COMPETENT gunsmith, but not necessarily a vocational one. {Any one can call oneself a gunsmith.}

Obviously, your revolver was "cut down" to make a personal defense "pocket pistol". IJ's were generally regarded as inexpensive (cheap) firearms as compared to Colt and S&W. Until recently they have not had much collector interest and do not command prices typical of Colts and S&W's.

Your revolver was made in the "smokeless" or "nitro" powder era, but severl years before the introduction of "High Velocity" or "High Speed" .22 RF ammo. I do not know what specification steel(s) is is made from; but can see that its cylinder does not have counter-bores to enclose the case heads. Therefore, I would not try to shoot it with modern commonly sold HV ammo. It should be good for Standard Velocity or Reduced Velocity ammo if it is in otherwise good condition.

Ithaca-dbl12 · 04-21-2012, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the info! This is well worn enough that I think the best place for it is as a wall hanger. I dare not attempt to shoot it. The cost on this was right... FREE. It was fun to strip it down and then figure out how it worked so I could put it back together.

I'll keep looking for a serviceable pistol. I have my heart set on killing some paper targets.

I'm having fun finding old guns, taking them apart and seeing if they might work, then cleaning them up. I'm on a low budget so when I get a free one and it is best used as a wall hanging I don't feel like I got cheated.

04-20-2012, 11:27 PM	#1
Ithaca-dbl12 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 16	Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Last nite a friend gave me an old Iver Johnson .22 rim fire, 7 round revolver. Very beat up. Someone shortened the barrel which unscrews from the body. I think this is best as a wall hanging. Maybe one of you can shed some light on age and further details. The markings on the top are "I.J. TARGET Model" and "Model 1900 Fitchburg, MASS U.S.A." Serial number under the wooden handle is A32497 and on the finger guard 32497. I've cleaned it up and gotten it "more functional" but it is very well worn. I've included a photo to help in identification. Attached Images -->

04-20-2012, 11:58 PM	#2
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Can you remove the grips and take & post pics of the mainspring. This revolver was made into the late 1930's or later.

04-21-2012, 07:12 AM	#3
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,283	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Welcome to the forum. Your Model 1900 Target was made in 1928, and originally had a 6" or 9" barrel. The walnut target grip has also been shortened and rounded.

04-21-2012, 10:06 AM	#4
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,587	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" I had one in really nice shape with six inch barrel and about 95% nickel finish, tight lockup, excellent grips, etc. Though it would chamber .22 long rifle cartridges, I conservatively fired only CB caps in it. Had it on my table for several gun shows and it finally sold for $165.

04-21-2012, 02:09 PM	#5
Ithaca-dbl12 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 16	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Here are some more photos. Barrel does have nice rifling. Gun appears to never have been plated, most likely blued. Phil Attached Images

04-21-2012, 04:44 PM	#6
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Thanks for the extra pics. "hrf" has determined that your revolver is circa 1928. Barrels (likely original IJ, in 4.5" and 6") may still be available from Numrich for about $30 to $40 delivered. However they will likely require fitting, which is usually a job for a COMPETENT gunsmith, but not necessarily a vocational one. {Any one can call oneself a gunsmith.} Obviously, your revolver was "cut down" to make a personal defense "pocket pistol". IJ's were generally regarded as inexpensive (cheap) firearms as compared to Colt and S&W. Until recently they have not had much collector interest and do not command prices typical of Colts and S&W's. Your revolver was made in the "smokeless" or "nitro" powder era, but severl years before the introduction of "High Velocity" or "High Speed" .22 RF ammo. I do not know what specification steel(s) is is made from; but can see that its cylinder does not have counter-bores to enclose the case heads. Therefore, I would not try to shoot it with modern commonly sold HV ammo. It should be good for Standard Velocity or Reduced Velocity ammo if it is in otherwise good condition.

04-21-2012, 06:46 PM	#7
Ithaca-dbl12 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 16	Re: Iver Johnson Model 1900 "Target" Thanks for the info! This is well worn enough that I think the best place for it is as a wall hanger. I dare not attempt to shoot it. The cost on this was right... FREE. It was fun to strip it down and then figure out how it worked so I could put it back together. I'll keep looking for a serviceable pistol. I have my heart set on killing some paper targets. I'm having fun finding old guns, taking them apart and seeing if they might work, then cleaning them up. I'm on a low budget so when I get a free one and it is best used as a wall hanging I don't feel like I got cheated.