IJ 32 cal. Hammerless 5 shot revolver ammo? - The Firearms Forum

chubb44850 · 07-10-2009, 04:16 PM

I have an IJ 32 cal. Hammerless 5 shot revolver. Its serial number from under the left grip is B or E 98465. It is chrome or nickel plated and has a 5” barrel. It has the black OWL grips and has a squeeze safety in the trigger. This was one of my father’s old revolvers. I fired this gun some 40 – 45 years ago using Western 32 short Colt ammo, probably the last time it was fired. My questions are; can I use this for personal protection and what type of ammo should I use? Thank you. Carter

b.goforth · 07-11-2009, 12:24 PM

the B letter code was used on the small frame 32 S&W caliber safety automatic hammerless revolver between 1897 and 1902. the presence of the safety trigger indicates this is a second model. the exact year of banufacture can only be determined by the patent date markings and locations. these patent date markings may be found on the top of the barrel, left side of the barrel or on the bottom of the butt. as this revolver is suitable only for black powder cartridge pressures it would not be a good choise for personal protection use.

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%

07-10-2009, 04:16 PM	#1
chubb44850 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	IJ 32 cal. Hammerless 5 shot revolver ammo? I have an IJ 32 cal. Hammerless 5 shot revolver. Its serial number from under the left grip is B or E 98465. It is chrome or nickel plated and has a 5” barrel. It has the black OWL grips and has a squeeze safety in the trigger. This was one of my father’s old revolvers. I fired this gun some 40 – 45 years ago using Western 32 short Colt ammo, probably the last time it was fired. My questions are; can I use this for personal protection and what type of ammo should I use? Thank you. Carter -->

07-11-2009, 12:24 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: IJ 32 cal. Hammerless 5 shot revolver ammo? the B letter code was used on the small frame 32 S&W caliber safety automatic hammerless revolver between 1897 and 1902. the presence of the safety trigger indicates this is a second model. the exact year of banufacture can only be determined by the patent date markings and locations. these patent date markings may be found on the top of the barrel, left side of the barrel or on the bottom of the butt. as this revolver is suitable only for black powder cartridge pressures it would not be a good choise for personal protection use. 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% __________________ 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 Last edited by b.goforth; 07-11-2009 at 12:25 PM..