model 3 hammerless 32 cal IJ revolver question

[mike92084]

I just acquired a 32 cal Iver Johnson hammerless 5 shot top-break revolver with the owls facing the butt of the gun. In reading through this site I can tell that it was made between 1909 and 1918 and that it is a police model because the serial number (B68111) contains a B. I am curious if anyone can tell me what year specifically it was manufactured and if that particular model is rare (i doubt it but am curious).

Thanks,

Mike

[b.goforth]

first of all iver johnson did not offer a revolver with "police" in the model name, H&R and H&A did.

the B letter code was only used on the small frame 32 Hammerless models but it was used on both second and third models. grips can be replaced so basing the model only on the grips is not a good idea. What type of hammer spring does it have, a single leaf spring (second model)or a coil spring (third model)?

second model B letter code used 1897 until 1902
third model B letter code used 1909 until 1918

the small frame 32 S&W hammerless model are not rare but the second models are collictible and the third models are shootable. total production of the second model 650,000 and of the third model 138,550.

if this revolver is a third model when a coil hammer spring the manufacture date is 1915.

SECOND MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS REVOLVER
(Black Powder Cartridges)------------- -–1896-1908
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME VERSIONS USES HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION: Double top post barrel latch, Hammer the Hammer action, nickel finish with blue optional, two frame sizes and three calibers. Hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Weight: small frame with 3 inch barrel .22 rimfire 12 ½ ounces, .32 centerfire 13 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel 17 ¾ ounces; 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 all 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 Second Model features a double top post barrel latch, flat leaf hammer spring and two cross pins in the lower frame.
VALUE: 100%=$285 60%=$150
For revolvers equipped with Bourne Knuckleduster add 100%

THIRD MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS 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, nickel finish standard blue optional. Two frame sizes, four calibers, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, two piece oversize hard rubber and one piece wood grips optional. Redesigned for smokeless powder. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ½ ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 14 ounces, large frame .32 Special with 3 ¼ inch barrel 19 ¼ ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 19 ounces; 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%=$260 60%=$125

bill