Iver Johnson Hammerless 38 - The Firearms Forum

predictatv · 01-07-2010, 10:24 PM

I've a , once blued, type II hammerless Iver Johnson in 38SW. serial # 74343. Patents on left barrel pivot and Iver name on top strap.

The lifter is broken and hammer has been, on purpose, ground down past firing in. Numrich lists the hammer. But, is sol on specific lifter. Is Type II safety hammer and type III's the same lifter? Revolver otherwise AOK.

Can a differing model lifter be adapted? I ask because I was successful filing down a 1900 38SW sear to fit an earlier American Bulldog 38spl. Brought back the single action function. Patience helped.

Have a Type I Safety Automatic 38SW blued
Type II Safety Automatic 32SW blued
America Bulldog 38spl nickle
Now Type II Hammerless 38SW
Thanks

b.goforth · 01-08-2010, 12:44 PM

the internal mechanism of the first and second model are the same (only difference is the barrel latch). the internal mechanism of the third model is different, all coil or wire type springs.

if you tell numrich you want a lifter for a large frame 38 caliber old model (their terminalogy) you should get what you want.

regardless of how easy it is to order on line i feel telephone call to them will ensure you get what you want. if you have the old broken lifter send it to them so the can match it.

a note to the wise. do not ever try to shoot a 38 special in an older 38 S&W american bulldog. you will hurt something the gun or yourself. only the very modern version of the american bulldog was offered in 38 special manufactured between 1974 and 1978. it was not marked american bull dog just advertized as a modern recreation of the old model. in reality it was a model 55SA offered in 38 special.
bill

predictatv · 01-08-2010, 06:29 PM

Thank you very much for your advise, GoForth. I was not sure about a Type I and Type II parts interchange. I do still have the broken lifter. It broke at the mount hole. Like these old Ivers. Just getting into rebuilding these as a hobby. Much easier to do than I'd first believed.

I've not fired the American Bulldog. Have only just made it operational. So, the extra chamber length for the cartridge, compensates for the short barrel? I did find it odd that I've a revolver built before 38spl that chambered that round. Revolver has been lucky to make it to 2010. Want it to stick around a tad longer.

01-07-2010, 10:24 PM	#1
predictatv Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Haltom City, Texas Posts: 5	Iver Johnson Hammerless 38 I've a , once blued, type II hammerless Iver Johnson in 38SW. serial # 74343. Patents on left barrel pivot and Iver name on top strap. The lifter is broken and hammer has been, on purpose, ground down past firing in. Numrich lists the hammer. But, is sol on specific lifter. Is Type II safety hammer and type III's the same lifter? Revolver otherwise AOK. Can a differing model lifter be adapted? I ask because I was successful filing down a 1900 38SW sear to fit an earlier American Bulldog 38spl. Brought back the single action function. Patience helped. Have a Type I Safety Automatic 38SW blued Type II Safety Automatic 32SW blued America Bulldog 38spl nickle Now Type II Hammerless 38SW Thanks __________________ Better judged by 12, than carried by 6. -->

01-08-2010, 12:44 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless 38 the internal mechanism of the first and second model are the same (only difference is the barrel latch). the internal mechanism of the third model is different, all coil or wire type springs. if you tell numrich you want a lifter for a large frame 38 caliber old model (their terminalogy) you should get what you want. regardless of how easy it is to order on line i feel telephone call to them will ensure you get what you want. if you have the old broken lifter send it to them so the can match it. a note to the wise. do not ever try to shoot a 38 special in an older 38 S&W american bulldog. you will hurt something the gun or yourself. only the very modern version of the american bulldog was offered in 38 special manufactured between 1974 and 1978. it was not marked american bull dog just advertized as a modern recreation of the old model. in reality it was a model 55SA offered in 38 special. 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; 01-08-2010 at 12:50 PM..

01-08-2010, 06:29 PM	#3
predictatv Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Haltom City, Texas Posts: 5	Re: Iver Johnson Hammerless 38 Thank you very much for your advise, GoForth. I was not sure about a Type I and Type II parts interchange. I do still have the broken lifter. It broke at the mount hole. Like these old Ivers. Just getting into rebuilding these as a hobby. Much easier to do than I'd first believed. I've not fired the American Bulldog. Have only just made it operational. So, the extra chamber length for the cartridge, compensates for the short barrel? I did find it odd that I've a revolver built before 38spl that chambered that round. Revolver has been lucky to make it to 2010. Want it to stick around a tad longer. __________________ Better judged by 12, than carried by 6.