ID of an Iver Johnson's Revolver

[jmbrickley]

I have an Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works, 5 shot, top break, nickel plated, .38 cal revolver with hammer. The Number from under the left side of the grip frame is I 20090. What am I looking at? Black powder only, or will this one shoot smokeless? A price value would be nice too, but not necessary.

I also have a Iver Johnson's A&CW, 5 shot, top break, nickel plated, hammerless, .32 cal revolver. # B 18768, both under the grip (left side) and on the trigger guard. Same info requested.

TIA jmbrickley

[hrf]

Welcome to the forum.

(1) .38 with hammer I20090 = large frame 2nd model made 1903 for black powder .38 S&W cartridge.

(2) .32 hammerless B18768 = small frame 3rd model made 1910 for smokeless powder .32 S&W cartridge.

[RJay]

I prefix used in 1903 on large frame 38 S&W Center fire, Serial numbers I0001 thrjough 100,000. Small frame hammerless { 32 S&W center fire } used the B prefix in 1896. The serials numbers for that year were B00001 through B50,000 { Estimated }. Iver Johnson went to a strengthened Smokeless Powder frame in 1909.

[jmbrickley]

Thanks guys,

I'm relieved to know why the many hundreds of smokeless I put through the .32 never blew the gun up. We were using it to dispatch large sharks and swordfish back in the days when I was a drift netter.

I had a feeling the .38 was smokeless only. I have never fired it.

Thanks again.

[hrf]

Originally Posted by RJay

Small frame hammerless { 32 S&W center fire } used the B prefix in 1896. The serials numbers for that year were B00001 through B50,000 { Estimated }. Iver Johnson went to a strengthened Smokeless Powder frame in 1909.

RJay, the B prefix was used again on the 3rd model 1909-1913.

The 1896 1st model had the serial number only on outside bottom of butt.

The 3rd model had it on trigger guard and left butt strap as he indicates his gun does.

[hrf]

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