IVer Johnson Revolver Question

[pac]

hey guys I have found in my grandads garage an Iver Johnson top break revolver, hammer, 5 shot 38?? cal, writing on top of barrel rib is two lines,
Iver johnson gun and cycle works fitchburg mass usa - 1st line
patd apr6,86feb15,87may 10,87,dec26 93 pat pending - 2nd line
serial # on butt 12978

sems to be chrome plated finish flaking off in spots and some rust

Handle has brown plastic? inset with a liitle owl face at top

any clue as to how old and worth?

[pac]

Also have a second Iver Johnson revolver
Johnson Arms 09 stamped on top rib of barrel
partial serial number on left side of barrel ends in 8 rest is gone with the finish i guess
top break five shot with hammer

If you break open gun there is the letters"ND" stamped on themetal body of gun above trigger?? sorry if my terminology is off!

other wise plastic handle i guess nickel or chrome finish
again just curious about age? thanks

[Xracer]

Hi pac.....welcome to TFF.

Keep checking back. Our resident expert on Iver Johnsons, Bill Goforth (he literally wrote the book on em: http://www.gunshowbooks.com/cgi-bin/...5&sid=9X4vr2zN ), should be along shortly to tell you all you'd like to know about your IJ's.



*Shameless Plug*
Books by Bill Goforth:
Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993
H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due fall of 2008)
available from www.gunshowbooks.com

[b.goforth]

pac,
the serial number on the bottom of the butt was only used between 1894 and 1896, on the first model small frame 32 caliber safety automatic revolver and some very early second model large frame 38 caliber models. the 1893 patent date was actually used up until 1898 so that is not much help. pictures would be helpful. all iver johnson's arms & cycle works first and second model safety automatic revolvers were manufactured for black powder cartridge pressures and are NOT safe with modern ammo.

i am also going to need pictures of the second iver johnson revolver because the marking just do not make sense to me.
bill