Iver Johnson gun - The Firearms Forum

jfp795 · 07-27-2009, 05:10 PM

I have a Iver Johnson .32 hand revolver. The pat date is Aug.25 1896
ser.# A74132. can you tell me anything about it. My brother gave it to me for protection. He says it takes 32 short. He also was told that the mail
carriers use to carry them for protection in the olden days.
Thank you
Jan

b.goforth · 07-28-2009, 01:09 PM

jan,
the single patent date 8-25-96 was used on the third model safety automatic hammer revolver between 1911 and 1913. small frame 32 S&W caliber third model serial number A74132 was manufactured in 1912, there were 14,300 of this model manufactured that year. i have not fond any records that would indicate the u.s. postal service purchased any iver johnson revolvers to issue to employee's. i do know that private express companies, like the american railway express company, did purchase iver johnson revolvers. i have two marked "AM EX CO" in my collection.

THIRD MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMER 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. This model redesigned to be strong enough for smokeless powder. All coil springs, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, optional oversize grips of hard rubber or wood were offered. Two frame sizes, four calibers, Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special centerfire with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel .32 Special 19 ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ inches; 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%=$250 60%=$115

bill

07-27-2009, 05:10 PM	#1
jfp795 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Iver Johnson gun I have a Iver Johnson .32 hand revolver. The pat date is Aug.25 1896 ser.# A74132. can you tell me anything about it. My brother gave it to me for protection. He says it takes 32 short. He also was told that the mail carriers use to carry them for protection in the olden days. Thank you Jan -->

07-28-2009, 01:09 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Iver Johnson gun jan, the single patent date 8-25-96 was used on the third model safety automatic hammer revolver between 1911 and 1913. small frame 32 S&W caliber third model serial number A74132 was manufactured in 1912, there were 14,300 of this model manufactured that year. i have not fond any records that would indicate the u.s. postal service purchased any iver johnson revolvers to issue to employee's. i do know that private express companies, like the american railway express company, did purchase iver johnson revolvers. i have two marked "AM EX CO" in my collection. THIRD MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMER 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. This model redesigned to be strong enough for smokeless powder. All coil springs, hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top, optional oversize grips of hard rubber or wood were offered. Two frame sizes, four calibers, Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .32 Special centerfire with 6 rounds cylinder capacity, .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame .22 rimfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ounces, .32 centerfire with 3 inch barrel 13 ½ ounces, large frame with 3 ¼ inch barrel .32 Special 19 ounces, .38 centerfire with 3 ¼ inch barrel 18 ¼ inches; 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%=$250 60%=$115 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 Last edited by b.goforth; 07-28-2009 at 01:10 PM..