Iver Johnson question - The Firearms Forum

gad1111 · 11-25-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm glad I found this fourm! I"m looking for some info for my grandfather, on an Iver Johnson safety automatic. He bought it from a neighbor in the early 40's. It's a small frame 5 shot .32 (not sure if it's s&w or special) with hammer, s/n(under left grip) G57682, the number uner the trigger gaurd looks like 69682(it's a little hard to make out) and on the butt is "pat Nov. 17 (the rest is rubbed off). The bluing is maybe 50%, but it's in good working order.
I'm hopeing to find out if it's s&w or special, when it was made, and a rough idea on what it's worth. Thanks in advance.

GAD

jondar · 11-26-2009, 07:54 AM

Pull one of the grip panels and look at the mainspring. If it's a leaf type spring it's probably a 1st or 2nd Model. If its a coil spring it would be a 3rd Model made from 1908 on. And it's very probably in .32 S&W, not .32 S&W Long. Bill Goforth can give you the date made if you give him an accurate serial number. 1st and 2nd Models were designed for black powder loads.

b.goforth · 11-28-2009, 04:29 PM

this is a small frame 32 S&W third model safety automatic hammer revolver. serial number G57682 was manufactured in 1921. there were 11,100 of this model manufactured that year.

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. This model redesigned to be strong enough for smokeless powder. All coil springs, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, optional oversize grips of hard rubber or wood were offered. Two frame sizes, four calibers, Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special centerfire with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel .32 Special 19 ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ inches; 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%=$250 60%=$115

bill

gad1111 · 11-28-2009, 07:29 PM

Thanks a million, Bill. Everything I was looking for.

GAD

11-25-2009, 08:20 PM	#1
gad1111 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Swanton, Ohio Posts: 272	Iver Johnson question I'm glad I found this fourm! I"m looking for some info for my grandfather, on an Iver Johnson safety automatic. He bought it from a neighbor in the early 40's. It's a small frame 5 shot .32 (not sure if it's s&w or special) with hammer, s/n(under left grip) G57682, the number uner the trigger gaurd looks like 69682(it's a little hard to make out) and on the butt is "pat Nov. 17 (the rest is rubbed off). The bluing is maybe 50%, but it's in good working order. I'm hopeing to find out if it's s&w or special, when it was made, and a rough idea on what it's worth. Thanks in advance. GAD -->

11-26-2009, 07:54 AM	#2
jondar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 458	Re: Iver Johnson question Pull one of the grip panels and look at the mainspring. If it's a leaf type spring it's probably a 1st or 2nd Model. If its a coil spring it would be a 3rd Model made from 1908 on. And it's very probably in .32 S&W, not .32 S&W Long. Bill Goforth can give you the date made if you give him an accurate serial number. 1st and 2nd Models were designed for black powder loads.

11-28-2009, 04:29 PM	#3
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Iver Johnson question this is a small frame 32 S&W third model safety automatic hammer revolver. serial number G57682 was manufactured in 1921. there were 11,100 of this model manufactured that year. 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. This model redesigned to be strong enough for smokeless powder. All coil springs, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, optional oversize grips of hard rubber or wood were offered. Two frame sizes, four calibers, Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special centerfire with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel .32 Special 19 ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ inches; 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%=$250 60%=$115 bill __________________ Author: Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due spring 2010) available from www.gunshowbooks.com website; iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com

11-28-2009, 07:29 PM	#4
gad1111 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Swanton, Ohio Posts: 272	Re: Iver Johnson question Thanks a million, Bill. Everything I was looking for. GAD