iver johnson safety hammer .38 serial search please.

[eddie powell]

PLease help me find out how old my Iver Johnson safety hammer 38 is. THe serial numer is on the top frame on the under side. Cylinder must be removed to view it. The number is C 8126. It is almost new in appearance with 99% nickle finish, and no wear on the working parts. I intend to shoot it but need to know if I should load with black powder. I am a cowboy shooter, and love this new purchase. Please help me out. Thanks...........eddie powell

[b.goforth]

the letter code on iver johnson's arms & cycle works safety automatic revolver are usually found on the left side of the grip frame under the grips. Not on the bottom of the top strap (that is where H&R put some early letter codes).

anyway a more complete description of your revolver is needed. what are the top of the barrel markings and are there any marking on the left side of the barrel or the bottom of the butt. the C letter code was used on several different occasions by both iver johnson and H&R.

bill

[eddie powell]

Bill......thanks for your reply. I took the grips off and the same letter code and number are on the left panel. The top of the barrel is iver johnson arms and cycle works fitchburg mass, usa.

The patent dates on the bottom of the grip frame says.........pat.june 16, 96aug 15, 96 sept 16, 04 pats pending.

I am beginning to think it is a black powder gun...............right???

[eddie powell]

Dear Sirs..............I am still looking for an answer to my request of OCT.4 about my Iver Johnson 38 S&W revolver. The barrel markings are..
IVER JOHNSON ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG MASS USA.
The serial number on the left grip panel is C 8124 . It also has 3 patent dates on the bottom of the grip frame ......with the last one being SEPT.6, 04. THe serial number is also on the upper frame in front of the breaking lug.

This little revolver is PRISTENE in condition, and I would like to make it my "CARRY GUN". If it is black powder, so be it. I am a black ,powder compeitive shooter, and can load the 38 S&W cases with 7 -8 grains of GOEX 3F powder, and a 158 grain round nose lead bullet. That load will seat the bullet firmly on the powder charge.

I would appreciate someones knowledge about this little pistol. I believe it to be around 1909 production. I would appreciate an experts opinion whether it is black powder.........thanks..........eddie powell

[b.goforth]

eddie,
this three patent dates were used between 1907 and 1911. during this time the third model was introduced starting again at C 1. so this revolver was made in late 1909 (C 1 to C 8900) made that year. being so early it should be looked at by a qualified person. the things that most need checking is the timing, is there any play in the cylinder with the trigger back and hammer down (in the fired position).
bill

[FuzzyBUMagnet]

Bill,

I have a Third Model .32 Safety Hammer with the serial number H640XX.

I'm very curious as to the year of manufacture. Please let me know if you can help me here. Thanks!

~Dan

[b.goforth]

this third model was made in 1924, H62501 to H65800 made that year. it should be a large frame 6 shot 32 S&W Long caliber.

THIRD MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMER REVOLVER
(Smokeless Powder Cartridges)------------------------1909-1941
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME VERSIONS USES HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; Double top post barrel latch, with Hammer the Hammer action, nickel finish standard blue optional. Two frame sizes, four calibers, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, two piece oversize hard rubber and one piece wood grips optional. Redesigned for smokeless powder. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 12 ½ ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, large frame .32 Special with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ounces; Height: small frame 3 ¾ inches, large frame 3 7/8 inches; Frame length: small frame 4 3/16 inches, large frame 5 inches; Overall length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel 7 3/8 inches. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see. The Third Model features a double top post barrel latch, coil hammer spring and four cross pins in the lower frame.
VALUE: 100%=$260 60%=$125
bill

[FuzzyBUMagnet]

Originally Posted by b.goforth

this third model was made in 1924, H62501 to H65800 made that year. it should be a large frame 6 shot 32 S&W Long caliber.

THIRD MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMER REVOLVER
(Smokeless Powder Cartridges)------------------------1909-1941
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME VERSIONS USES HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; Double top post barrel latch, with Hammer the Hammer action, nickel finish standard blue optional. Two frame sizes, four calibers, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, two piece oversize hard rubber and one piece wood grips optional. Redesigned for smokeless powder. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 12 ½ ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, large frame .32 Special with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ounces; Height: small frame 3 ¾ inches, large frame 3 7/8 inches; Frame length: small frame 4 3/16 inches, large frame 5 inches; Overall length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel 7 3/8 inches. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see. The Third Model features a double top post barrel latch, coil hammer spring and four cross pins in the lower frame.
VALUE: 100%=$260 60%=$125
bill

Thanks! It belonged to a great uncle and was passed down to me through my grandfather. Very cool.

[FuzzyBUMagnet]

Actually, I made a typo. The first digit should be an 8 instead of a 6. H840XX. How does that change the age? Thanks!

[b.goforth]

it would make it 5 year later. 1929 H83001 to H84600 were made in 1929.
bill

[Gripmaker]

Posted this on another board but here goes again. I have an Iver Johnson 38 S&W with a serial # of Q67798. It has a flat hammerspring and is a Safety Hammer model. Patents on butt read June 16,96 and August 25,96. Can you tell me the year of manufacture and I presume it would be a black powder cartridge only firearm? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Jim D.]

I have an Ivey Johnson 38 hammer revolver that I believe is a 2nd Edition model.
It has:
Double top post barrel latch
flat leaf hammer spring
two cross pins in lower frame
Owl's head facing towards barrel
No markings when grips are removed
Top strap markings:
Apr 6 86 Feb 15 87 May 10 87 Dec 26
SN 10825 on bottom of grip & under top latch when cylinder is removed

Interested in approximate date of manufacture and where I can find black powder cartridges.

[hrf]

Originally Posted by Gripmaker

Posted this on another board but here goes again. I have an Iver Johnson 38 S&W with a serial # of Q67798. It has a flat hammerspring and is a Safety Hammer model. Patents on butt read June 16,96 and August 25,96. Can you tell me the year of manufacture and I presume it would be a black powder cartridge only firearm? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Gripmaker, if you are still out there, sorry your query wasn't answered in January, but Bill G. passed away about the time you posted.

Your .38 was made in 1906 for black powder ammo.

[hrf]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

I have an Ivey Johnson 38 hammer revolver that I believe is a 2nd Edition model.
It has:
Double top post barrel latch
flat leaf hammer spring
two cross pins in lower frame
Owl's head facing towards barrel
No markings when grips are removed
Top strap markings:
Apr 6 86 Feb 15 87 May 10 87 Dec 26
SN 10825 on bottom of grip & under top latch when cylinder is removed

Interested in approximate date of manufacture and where I can find black powder cartridges.

Welcome to the forum Jim.

With those patent dates and no serial number under the left grip, you have a 2nd model made in 1895.

I don't know of a source for black powder .38 S&W, but try an online search for "cowboy action ammunition"

[achalfant33]

Hi there, I have the same revolver as Jim D but my serial number starts with a 396XX, would that mean it is a 2nd edition and made around the 1895 period as well? Thanks

[hrf]

Originally Posted by achalfant33

Hi there, I have the same revolver as Jim D but my serial number starts with a 396XX, would that mean it is a 2nd edition and made around the 1895 period as well? Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, if you're sure there's no serial on grip frame under left grip plate with a letter prefix.