Iver Johnson Knuckle Grips

[wristcut]

What models of Iver Johnson revolvers did the Knuckle Grip appear on? Who invented the knuckle Grip? What other manufacturers provided Knuckle Grips? Are Knuckle Grips an American idea? Thanks

[b.goforth]

the bourne knockleduster appear only on second model safety automatic revolvers between 1906 and 1908. there were an estimating 7,000 manufactured. they were offered on both large and small frame, hammer and hammerless models. the patent for this grip adapter was first issued to george bourne as number 759415 on may 10, 1904 (this date will appear on all factory equipped revolvers) and assigned to mary elizabeth johnson, iver's widow in july 10, 1906. it is said mrs. johnson paid george bourne $1200.00 for the patent. they added about $1.00 to the cost of the revolver they were fitted to.

the knuckleduster type grips were used on some european revolvers and they were about as popular as they were in the U.S.A. (not very). george bourne patented at least three other type of grip attachment and one was actually sold to H&R but was never used.

with only about 7,000 second models equipped with the bourne knuckleduster they don't show up very often and will just about double the value of any second model they are on.

i have seen about 15 second models with the bourne knuckleduster. i have owned four of them and at present still have two in my collection one small frame 32 hammer and one large frame 38 hammerless. all of them with have a special order serial number and all of them were factory fitted.

in a 1907 iver johnson sporting good catalog the H&R knife revolver listed at $6.75 and the bourne knucleduster equipped second model was listed at $6.50/$7.50 depending if you ordered a hammer or hammerless model.

the pharse knuckleduster was never use in any advertizement, iver johnson only called it a grip attachment.
bill

[wristcut]

Thanks for the info Bill.