IJ Question for Bill G.

[Jim Hauff]

Bill,
Just acquired the following revolver, please provide DOM:

Left side of barrel: -SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL-
top of barrel rib: -FOR 38 SMITH & WESSON CTGE-
Five shot, Nickel plated, 5" barrel, blued trigger guard, SA/DA, Black hard rubber grip panels with Owl looking straignt out.
Serial number: 19323 (under top strap, under left grip, bottom of trigger guard)
Cylinder unscrews from arbor, no hook under top latch (has two prongs)

Any idea of value: 90% nickel, grips are excellent, mechanically excellent - all functions normal, bright shiney bore with excellent rifling?

Thanks, Jim

[b.goforth]

hello jim,
the secret service specials were serial numbered in the same series as the U.S. Revolver Co. Automatic. serial numbe 19323 was manufactured in 1911. of course this is assuming it is of iver johnson manufacture. there is information on how to tell the manufacturer of an individual secret service special in the iver johnson book. since we are now connected at the hip on the H&R book i guess i should send you an iver johnson book. send me a email with your current address and i will send one to you.

in the meantime below is information on the u.s. revolver co. and secret service special.

U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMER-------------------1910-1935
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; This is a Brand name revolver manufactured by Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works to be sold through the wholesale trade. It was never listed in any Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works catalog, although it was listed in some European catalogs as original Iver Johnson products. Does not have Hammer the Hammer action and relies on a safety notch on the hammer. Hard rubber grip panels with U S at the top, large oversize two piece hard rubber grips were optional. Two frame sizes and three calibers were offered. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: large frame 38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, small frame .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity Weight: small frame .22 rimfire 12 ounces, small frame .32 centerfire 12 ½ ounces, large frame .38 centerfire 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 length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ¼ inches 7 3/8 inches. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$105

U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS-------------1910-1935
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; Brand name revolver manufactured by Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works for the wholesale trade. This revolver does not have Hammer the Hammer action, but it does have a rebounding hammer that the hammer version does not. Blue or nickel finishes were offered. Offered in two frame sizes and two calibers only. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: small frame .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame with 3 inch barrel 12 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 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.
VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$105


SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL HAMMER
(manufactured for FRED BIFFAR Co.)-----------------------1912-????
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION: These are the same as U.S. Revolver Co. Four other Companies also manufactured Secret Service Special revolvers for Fred Biffar Co. they are Meriden Firearms Co., Hopkins & Allen Firearms Co. and H&R Arms Co. and an unknown Spanish manufacturer. The Secret Service Special is the same revolver as the U.S. Revolver Co. Automatic except for the markings on the barrel. The top of the barrel will be marked “ for .38 SMITH & WESSON cartridge” (or .32 for the small frame) and the left side of the barrel will be marked SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL. This Brand name was sold only through Fred Biffar Co. of Chicago. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
VALUE: Iver Johnson: manufacture same as U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
H&R Arms Co. manufacture 10% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
H&A Firearms Co. manufacture 15% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
Meriden Firearms Co. manufacture 20% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
Unknown Spanish manufacture 25% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent

SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL HAMMERLESS
(manufactured for FRED BIFFAR Co.)---------------------1912-????
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION: This revolver is the same as the U.S. Revolver Co. Automatic Hammerless model only the markings on the barrel and the grips are different. The grips and barrel markings are the same as the hammer model. This revolver Brand name is sold only through Fred Biffar Co. of Chicago. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
VALUE: Iver Johnson: manufacture same as U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
H&R Arms Co. manufacture 10% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
H&A Firearms Co. manufacture 15% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
Meriden Firearms Co. manufacture 20% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent
Unknown Spanish manufacture 25% less than U. S. Revolver Co. equivalent

SECRET SERVICE SPECIAL
WITH HAMMER BLOCK SAFETY------------------------------1917-????
LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION: The only difference between this model and the earlier Secret Service Special is the Patented hammer block safety. This safety was patented by Prospero Donaldo and assigned to Fred Biffar Co. of Chicago. It is number 1,227,531 issued on May 22, 1917. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
VALUE: Iver Johnson manufacture 10% more than U.S. Revolver Co. equivalent.

bill

[cdyslpknt]

hi i have a ij double action model 1900 the serial on this gun is 5952 0 what im asking is how old is this gun and what is the ammo i can shoot

[hrf]

Originally Posted by cdyslpknt

hi i have a ij double action model 1900 the serial on this gun is 5952 0 what im asking is how old is this gun and what is the ammo i can shoot

Welcome to TFF but more info is needed:

-What caliber?

-Look at frame under left grip for the serial number repeated, with a letter prefix that will identify when made.

[cdyslpknt]

it is a 32 and that is the serial#under grip read just as so

[Anchor Clanker]

Bill Goforth is deceased.

[hrf]

Originally Posted by cdyslpknt

it is a 32 and that is the serial#under grip read just as so

sn 59520 with no letter prefix would be a black powder gun made in 1905.

If it's a 5-shot .32, they were made in both .32 rimfire and .32 S&W centerfire.

If a 6-shot .32, caliber is .32 S &W Long.

Although I consider the solid frame 1900 stronger than the topbreak models, I don't recommend firing it at all.

[cdyslpknt]

it is a 32 rimfire and have shot this anf it shoots phenominal for its age

[RJay]

Where are you acquiring .32 rimfire ammo??