[Michael minelli]

I was given a 32 cal. top break down hand gun, I have read some of the threads on this web-site and have one question. The serial number on the inside of the handle reads as follows A 35930. According to what I have read it is for black powder, if this is true is there any where that I could find ammo for it or can it even be fired.
Thanks

 

[carver]

Welcome to the forum! First off a good gun smith can probably answer any of your questions, and he is the guy who will determine if the gun is shootable or not. So if you want to shoot it, you are going to have to take it to a smith anyway. .32 cal pistol rounds can be reloaded, you know, make your own. Can't help with the age of the gun, or value. There are other membes here that can help some, but with no pictures to work with there isn't much anyone can tell you. Post some pics.

 

[WHSmithIV]

Hi Michael,
US Revolver Co. was the mail order daughter company of Iver Johnson. Back in the early 1900's Iver Johnson sold these pistols through mail order catalogs - like the Sears catalog. I have one of these pistols also and I do fire mine. There is a sticky in the 'Ask the pros what it's worth' forum here that will help you with the serial number. I know that mine was made circa 1930 so it isn't black powder only.

As for ammo, these little pistols shoot the old .32 S&W cartridges and ammo isn't all that easy to find. I did get a box of mixed ammo from an auction cheap for my pistol. Some of it was black powder cartridges and they are a hoot to shoot. You need to find out when the pistol was made to know whether it will safely shoot smokeless ammo. It will certainly fire black powder anyway. I keep mine in my truck in case I hit a deer and it is severely injured.

Hope this info helps.

 

[ignats]

I have several I-J and U.S. Revolver revolvers some were designed for black powder and some for modern propellents. I found some reasonably priced modern 32 S&W (short) ammo on line made by Remington. They are 88 grain lead round nose bullets that was manufactured fairly recently. As already posted, they're fun to shoot. The sound is more of a "pop" than a normal gun shot sound. Be careful about the bullets bouncing back at you. A friend had this happen when he fired close range at a 55 gallon steel drum. The bullet did not penetrate the side of the barrel and bounced back hitting the guy standing next to him. No one was injured, just scared sh**less. The cartridge was designed for card table range and to discourage would be attackers.

I've reloaded some of my cartridges using 32 ACP dies, 85 grain cast lead 32 cal bullets and 1.4 grains of W231 powder. Of course you could use BP instead. The older guns are always questionable and unless you know what you have it's advisable not shoot them. If it breaks open when fired and you get a face full of hot gas and the spent cartridge in your eye...

This place sells it look for Remington R32SW

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=10480_14658_14743_14906_14831

 

[RJay]

All US revolvers were made starting in 1911. Iver Johnson went to a smokeless frame in 1909. US revolvers are deemed safe for smokeless powder cartridges. Iver Johnson stated using letter prefixes on the US revolvers in 1921, However I can not find any use of the A prefix on any US Revolvers. The first use I can find of the A prefix is in 1896 on the small frame .32 center fire ( Not the US Revolver ). So, if that is the number from under the left grip and your gun is clearly marked US Revolver, then I haven't the foggiest of what you have.

 

[ignats]

The OP didn't state whether it's a hammerless or hammer model. If it is a hammer model, that serial number would date it to 1921 according to Goforth's book.

 

[RJay]

True, that is what happens when the poster doesn't read the sticky and provides the needed information, and we try and provide info. either way it is made for smokeless powder