Iver Johnson .32 S&W Info Requested - The Firearms Forum

centurion · 09-07-2008, 04:01 PM

I would like to know the model and manufacture date of this revolver. I'd like to restore it to working condition but would like to know if it is capable of firing modern smokeless .32 S&W ammo. Thank you for any information you can provide.

Just in case my pictures don't upload, it's a 5-shot hammerless, serial no. B24728, patents June 16.96 August 25.?? and ??? 16.04

b.goforth · 09-07-2008, 07:19 PM

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the patent date marking are actually, june 16,1896, august 25, 1896 and september 6, 1904. the june date is for the hammerless hammer the hammer action, the august date is the hammer version of the hammer the hammer action and the september date is for a automatic cylinder stop that was never actually used.

these three patent dates were in use between 1907 and 1911. the "B" letter code was used on the small frame 32 S&W caliber hammerless revolver between 1897-1902 and then again between 1909-1918. this revolver should be a third model (1909-1941) with serial number B 24728 being manufactured in 1910 (1910 serial numbers were B1501-B33800), there were 32,300 of this model manufactured that year. all third model safety automatic hammerless revolvers were manufactured for smokeless powder cartridge pressures. you can confirm this is a third model by checking the hammer spring, second models have a single flat leaf and third models have a captive coil spring with guide rod. because of the age be sure this revolver is in shootable condition before firing.

value is based on both physical and mechanical condition 100%=$260 down to 60%=$125, this one with no original finish is valued at about $75. properly refinished you could expect the value to rise to about $150 to $175. for your information the retail price of a safety automatic hammerless revolver in 1910 was $7.00 and the hammer version was $6.00.

one extra thought on the small frame 32 S&W caliber hammerless models, even today they are a compact carry revolver not much bigger that most 25 acp automatic and 5 32's beat 5 or 6 25acp's any day. their only drawback is a heavy trigger pull.
bill

centurion · 09-07-2008, 07:26 PM

Thank you very much, Bill! Your knowledge and expertise are very much appreciated!!

09-07-2008, 04:01 PM	#1
centurion Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Iver Johnson .32 S&W Info Requested I would like to know the model and manufacture date of this revolver. I'd like to restore it to working condition but would like to know if it is capable of firing modern smokeless .32 S&W ammo. Thank you for any information you can provide. Just in case my pictures don't upload, it's a 5-shot hammerless, serial no. B24728, patents June 16.96 August 25.?? and ??? 16.04 --> Last edited by centurion; 09-07-2008 at 06:40 PM..

09-07-2008, 07:19 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Iver Johnson .32 S&W Info Requested -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the patent date marking are actually, june 16,1896, august 25, 1896 and september 6, 1904. the june date is for the hammerless hammer the hammer action, the august date is the hammer version of the hammer the hammer action and the september date is for a automatic cylinder stop that was never actually used. these three patent dates were in use between 1907 and 1911. the "B" letter code was used on the small frame 32 S&W caliber hammerless revolver between 1897-1902 and then again between 1909-1918. this revolver should be a third model (1909-1941) with serial number B 24728 being manufactured in 1910 (1910 serial numbers were B1501-B33800), there were 32,300 of this model manufactured that year. all third model safety automatic hammerless revolvers were manufactured for smokeless powder cartridge pressures. you can confirm this is a third model by checking the hammer spring, second models have a single flat leaf and third models have a captive coil spring with guide rod. because of the age be sure this revolver is in shootable condition before firing. value is based on both physical and mechanical condition 100%=$260 down to 60%=$125, this one with no original finish is valued at about $75. properly refinished you could expect the value to rise to about $150 to $175. for your information the retail price of a safety automatic hammerless revolver in 1910 was $7.00 and the hammer version was $6.00. one extra thought on the small frame 32 S&W caliber hammerless models, even today they are a compact carry revolver not much bigger that most 25 acp automatic and 5 32's beat 5 or 6 25acp's any day. their only drawback is a heavy trigger pull. 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

09-07-2008, 07:26 PM	#3
centurion Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Iver Johnson .32 S&W Info Requested Thank you very much, Bill! Your knowledge and expertise are very much appreciated!!