Identify Iver Johnson Revolver

IndyNC · 03-23-2010, 01:09 AM

Can anyone help me identify the model and year of my Iver Johnson .22LR revolver? I think it is a Sealed 8 of some type, I'm told it's a Supershot Sealed 8.

It has no markings at all except the serial # underneath the grips; which is C3XXX (where the 3 Xs are the last 3 #s).

There are pictures of it here: http://www.tangoyankee.com/preview/1...-01-26_08.html

b.goforth · 03-23-2010, 12:15 PM

this is an early model 55. the model 55 was the sucessor to the sealed 8 target. the only dating i can do on this one is ti was made between march 1955 (date of introduction) and 1958. the 4digit serial number and the letter code C indicates it was made in late 1955 or early 1956.

I.J. TARGET MODEL 55----------------------------------1955-1960
The year 1955 Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works introduced a new designed solid frame double action revolver. For the next few years they introduced at least one new model a year, the first year two new models were introduced. The Model 55 is a large solid frame revolver with pull pin cylinder release, blue finish and large oversize one piece plastic grips (they called them Tenite). Does not have Hammer the Hammer action. Barrel length: 4 ½ inch and 6 inches; .22 rimfire caliber with 8 rounds cylinder capacity, recessed chambers and Flash Control front rim (cylinder unfluted until 1958); Weight with 4 ½ inch barrel 26 ounces, with 6 inch barrel 27 ounces; Frame height 4 inches; Frame length 4 7/8 inches; Overall length: with 4 ½ inch barrel 9 ¼ inches, with 6 inch barrel 10 ¾ inches.
DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION. SEE MODEL 55A FOR VALUES
I.J. TARGET MODEL 55A----------------------------------1961-1978
The difference between this A series and the earlier series is the addition of a loading gate to the right side of the frame. All specifications are the same except a small weight gain because of the loading gate. This model was also called Iver Johnson Sportsman in the 1974 to 1978 era DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION
VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$95

the "supershot sealed eight" were top break revolvers.
bill

IndyNC · 03-23-2010, 12:41 PM

Thanks for the information, I figured it wasn't a Supershot since (like you said) all the ones I've seen were top break. One more question, I know it says .22LR but will .22 Short and .22 Long also work? Is there any type of .22 ammo I shouldn't use with it?

fuzebox40 · 03-29-2010, 04:38 PM

New here and finaly figuring out posibly how to input a question and hopefuly upload a picture with it. Here goes , hope I'm in the right place. I recently bought this IJ revolver and the more I learn of IJ the more interested I become but first objective is to restore its functionality then perhaps its finish "if that's adviseable" and so on. On top of the barrel it reads in this layout:
*Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works*
*Fitchburg Mass. U.S.A.*
With grip plate removed S#C93365, on the butt of the grip pat. Nov. 17.98 pat s pending (the 98 is questionable, hard to read)
I would greatly appreciate help as to its year & model and is this refered to as new model or old model when ordering parts and any other info is icing on the cake. Thanks

03-23-2010, 01:09 AM	#1
IndyNC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	Identify Iver Johnson Revolver Can anyone help me identify the model and year of my Iver Johnson .22LR revolver? I think it is a Sealed 8 of some type, I'm told it's a Supershot Sealed 8. It has no markings at all except the serial # underneath the grips; which is C3XXX (where the 3 Xs are the last 3 #s). There are pictures of it here: http://www.tangoyankee.com/preview/1...-01-26_08.html -->

03-23-2010, 12:15 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Identify Iver Johnson Revolver this is an early model 55. the model 55 was the sucessor to the sealed 8 target. the only dating i can do on this one is ti was made between march 1955 (date of introduction) and 1958. the 4digit serial number and the letter code C indicates it was made in late 1955 or early 1956. I.J. TARGET MODEL 55----------------------------------1955-1960 The year 1955 Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works introduced a new designed solid frame double action revolver. For the next few years they introduced at least one new model a year, the first year two new models were introduced. The Model 55 is a large solid frame revolver with pull pin cylinder release, blue finish and large oversize one piece plastic grips (they called them Tenite). Does not have Hammer the Hammer action. Barrel length: 4 ½ inch and 6 inches; .22 rimfire caliber with 8 rounds cylinder capacity, recessed chambers and Flash Control front rim (cylinder unfluted until 1958); Weight with 4 ½ inch barrel 26 ounces, with 6 inch barrel 27 ounces; Frame height 4 inches; Frame length 4 7/8 inches; Overall length: with 4 ½ inch barrel 9 ¼ inches, with 6 inch barrel 10 ¾ inches. DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION. SEE MODEL 55A FOR VALUES I.J. TARGET MODEL 55A----------------------------------1961-1978 The difference between this A series and the earlier series is the addition of a loading gate to the right side of the frame. All specifications are the same except a small weight gain because of the loading gate. This model was also called Iver Johnson Sportsman in the 1974 to 1978 era DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$95 the "supershot sealed eight" were top break revolvers. 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 Last edited by b.goforth; 03-23-2010 at 12:18 PM..

03-23-2010, 12:41 PM	#3
IndyNC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	Re: Identify Iver Johnson Revolver Thanks for the information, I figured it wasn't a Supershot since (like you said) all the ones I've seen were top break. One more question, I know it says .22LR but will .22 Short and .22 Long also work? Is there any type of .22 ammo I shouldn't use with it?

03-29-2010, 04:38 PM	#4
fuzebox40 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Apple Valley, Ca. Contributor Posts: 1,485	Re: Identify Iver Johnson Revolver New here and finaly figuring out posibly how to input a question and hopefuly upload a picture with it. Here goes , hope I'm in the right place. I recently bought this IJ revolver and the more I learn of IJ the more interested I become but first objective is to restore its functionality then perhaps its finish "if that's adviseable" and so on. On top of the barrel it reads in this layout: Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Fitchburg Mass. U.S.A. With grip plate removed S#C93365, on the butt of the grip pat. Nov. 17.98 pat s pending (the 98 is questionable, hard to read) I would greatly appreciate help as to its year & model and is this refered to as new model or old model when ordering parts and any other info is icing on the cake. Thanks Attached Images