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Iver Johnson Serial No.

2K views 24 replies 8 participants last post by  Shrek73 
#1 ·
Hello, everyone!

I'm new, and need some technical advice.
I have an IJ Model 1900 revolver, cal .38 S&W. 2 1/2 inch barrel, blued finish.
Sreial no. C18348 is stamped on the bottom of the trigger guard and this no. without the "C" prefix is repeated on the frame beneath the left grip.
I have the original box numbered to the pistol which, by the way, looks like it hasn't been fired.

I'd like to shoot it. Can anyone tell me the year of Mfgr? Unfortunately, I don't have access to Mr. Goforth's book.

Thanks, Bob
 
#4 ·
 

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#3 ·
I'll try....Thanks for the info. I suspect this may have been one if the 1500 revolvers purchased by the Navy who subsequently turned them over to the O.S.S. in January, 1944.
This might explain the "unused" nature of the pistol. I think a civilian might have at least tried it out or carried it and scratched the finish with car keys or spare change in their pocket or purse.
Procurement records with serial nos. have not been found, but at least the timeline checks out.
 
#6 ·
It is not an overly rare thing to find old firearms in like new condition; Many households brought these guns for home protection and put them away in the hall closet or under ware drawer, never fired nor even taken out of the box. Made in 1940? Husband might have gotten it for his wife before his departure to the war and alas he never returned, Momma just pust that dangerous thing to the back of the closet and forgot it.
 
#7 ·
Looks nice, i would shoot the beans out of it, this pistol will never become a valued collector piece. If sale is anticipated you will get about the same if fired or as now "maybe unfired" either way you are not talking large figures ($150. In new condition).
 
#9 ·
I disagree with the value give by Ibmikey99$. You have an Model 1900 that appears to have been unfired with its original box. I could see it bringing somewhere around $300. Model 1900's in good condition bring $150.

While these are not high end collectors, there is a collectors market out there. Once you fire it the value will drop significantly. Not telling you what to do...
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
I was going by the Blue Book of Gun Values plus $ 15 bucks, they list 100% at $135. I do not believe shooting it will reduce the already low value any further. I cannot remember a posting for swing out IJ revolvers by collectors, however, i am sure they are there just as the top break pistols have their admirers. I collect, among others, Star pistols and am very careful with what i will give for a desireable piece depending upon condition but also reliability because my guns are fired not just safe queens. Unfired means less to me than known functioning.
I recently loaned an unfired pistol to a magazine contributor, he will do testing with the pistol and take photos...i will receive a well fired pistol in return. Unfired and in the safe is such a waste in my poinion.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
If you watched the Bill Goforth estate sales on NOT ALLOWED a few months ago, there were several examples of unfired guns with boxes surpassing $300. Given this is an unfired gun with the original box, and it is blued, not nickel which was the standard finish, I still believe it could bring around $300.

The box alone would bring around $40-$50 on eBay.
 
#12 ·
Shrek, I have no direct knowledge of sales of these pistols, keeping track of Stars, lever Winchesters, Colt SAA and GI Carbines keeps my pea brain spinning, you obviously know the product better and i bow to that knowledge. The Blue Book is just a guide anyway. Mike
 
#14 ·
Ibmikey99$, sorry, I didn't want to come off as presumptuous, but he has a collectable Iver Johnson and it would be a shame to see its collectability/value degraded. It’s his to do with what he wishes, but I wanted to at least let him know what it’s potential value to a collector would be.


Iver Johnson's have been a hobby of mine since I received a 16 Gauge Champion that belonged to my great uncle. A lot of people disregard them all together, which is sad because they were a very successful and reliable firearms manufacturer till they went out of business in the 1990's.
 
#18 ·
You have an Iver Johnson 1st Model Safety Automatic Revolver made between 1894-1895. It chambered in .32 S&W and is considered a black powder frame. It is not safe for modern smokeless ammunition.

How is the cylinder held in place? Is there a hook, or is the end of the cylinder threaded?

It looks like the top latch spring is broken.
 
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