What Iver Johnson is it?

[Popwood]

My son-in-law just gave me an Iver Johnson pistol which appears to be quite old. He knew nothing about its history. It was given to him by a family member.

It is a chrome plated, five round revolver with aa break action. It looks decent, but has had hard use, and is in need of repair. It is seven to seven and a half inches long, with what I think is a three and one quarter inch barrel. I am guessing also that it is a .38 caliber.

On top of the barrel is stamped:
IVER JOHNSON & CO USA
PAT'D MAY 10 87 DEC 26 93 PATS PENDING

On the butt plate:
B226 or
3226 or
8226

We are not interested in selling it, but would like to know a little history about it. Can someone help us out?

Thanks in advance, Popwood & Charlie

[b.goforth]

this type of barrel marking was only used on the very earliest of the safety automatic revolvers between last week in 1893 and about april/may 1894. the name was changed to iver johnson's arms & cycle works about april or may of 1894 or possibly a month earlier. however the company was not incorporated until much later. even after incorporation all the outstanding stock was held by the iver johnson family.

FIRST MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMER REVOLVER
(Black Powder Cartridges)---------------------------1894-1896
LARGE & SMALL FRAME VERSIONS USES THE FAMOUS HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION This is the first revolver marked “Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works”, some very early model were marked “Iver Johnson & Co.”. It is a top break revolver with a single top post barrel latch, it was manufactured in two frame sizes and three calibers, standard finish was Nickel with blue being optional. Grip panels are hard rubber with Owls head design. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire & .32 centerfire, Large frame .38 centerfire; Cylinder capacity: small frame .22 7 rounds & .32 5 rounds, Large frame 5 rounds; Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3¼ inches; Weight: small frame 3 inch barrel .22 rimfire 12 ounces, .32 centerfire 12¼ ounces large frame 3¼ inch barrel 17¼ ounces; Height: small frame 3¾ 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 3¼ inch barrel 7 3/8 inch. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame; grips must be removed to see. . The First Model features a single top post barrel latch (release lever mounted on left side of top strap) and flat leaf hammer spring.
VALUE: 100%=$290, 80%=$140, 60%=$110, 40%=$90, 20%=$70, 10%=$60

one in need of repairs would be considered less than 60% condition.

bill

[Popwood]

Special thanks to Mr Goforth for his very prompt and interesting reply. It enhances the personal value of the revolver in our lives, and steels our determination to keep it as a special item.

Popwood and Charlie