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Iver johnson hammerless information

826 views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  Thaddeus 
#1 · (Edited)
hello! new to the forums and found lots of great information already! I have recently been handed down an older Iver Johnson safety hammerless pistol and am interested in finding out as much as i can about it. It has been handed down now into 4th generation and I am not concerned about its value, but more so its build date, and any possible links or information people can share to get a little more history about it, any information is appreciated.
The pistol is in .38 s&w


my paperwork says 102mm barrel . the trigger guard serial# is 517 and under the left side grip it is D517. I do reload and am hoping to one day have it in ok condition to fire and maybe load up some lighter loads for the gun if modern ammo is even an option. I really appreciate any information I can get, Thanks for your time.
 
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#2 ·
Iver Johnson Hammerless Revolver

length: (gun) 7.8 in (197mm)
Barrel: 3.3 in (83mm)
Weight: 21 oz
caliber: 0.32 in
Rifling : 7 grooves, R/Hand
Capacity: six
Muz vel; 550 ft/sec

The Iver Johnson company of Worcester Mass. started producing the hammerless model in 1894.
(safety Automatic Double action model)
It was opened by lifting the T-shaped catch, which allowed two projections on the upper part of the standing breech to separate from the corresponding aperture in the top strap. then the barrel could be pushed downward, activating a star extractor- the feature from which the word "automatic" in the revolvers title was derived.
the most important feature of the weapon was the safety device provided for the prevention of accidental discharge. the firing pin was mounted separately on the standing breech so the rear end of it was struck by the hammer. A transfer bar in the lock mechanism rose to its proper position only when the trigger had been fully pulled, thus, the revolver could not be fired involuntarily by dropping or some similar mishap.
 
#3 ·
You have a 3rd Model Iver Johnson Safety Hammerless Automatic made in 1909. It is considered a smokeless frame and should be safe for modern ammunition after it is checked out by a competent gunsmith. Remember it is chambered in .38 S&W not .38 Special, and .38 S&W ammo is still available. It should be a 5 shot, not 6.

From the photo, the nickel appears to be very good, except for markings on the cylinder. The barrel appears to be the standard length and nickel was the standard finish. It is also the 1st year of production for the 3rd Model.

An interesting fact from Bill Goforth's book was that in 1905, the Colt Single Action Army (peacemaker) cost $13.00 while the Iver Johnson Safety Automatic cost $6.00.
 
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