Help Identifying Revolver (Picture Heavy)

[The Oncoming Storm]

My father and I have been trying to figure out who made the five-shot .32 revolver that was his father's and his grandfather's before him, but we've had no luck. It's an antique, five-shot revolver that's chambered for .32 S&W. Here are some pictures of it. There don't seem to be any markings on it that would identify its manufacturer except perhaps the owl at the top of the grip. On the bottom of the frame, between the bottoms of the grips, it looks like "<PAT. NOV, 17, 03>." Then below that is more that's halfway worn off that looks like "<PAT S PENDI..." I assume it once read something to the effect of "PATENT PENDING." Anyway, any help identifying it is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Clifford]

The "owl" on the grip leads me to beleive it's an Iver Johnson. Lots of small top-break revo's were made early last century after the S&W top-break pattern, so it may be someone else's make.... I'm sure RC or Jim Watson will be around soon to set the record strait.

BTW, welcome to The Highroad. You will find that everyone here is friendly, polite and knowledgeable

 

[BHP FAN]

Iver Johnson.I had one just like yours, made in 1888.

 

[BHP FAN]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iver_Johnson

 

[Elmer]

Inexpensive but functional revolvers. They aren't worth much, even if it were in excellent condition.

 

[LawofThirds]

Yup, clearly an Iver Johnson. The owl and the IJ on the grips give it away.

I would have it gone over by a gunsmith if you plan on shooting it.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Looks like a .32 caliber Iver Johnson Third Model Safety Hammer Revolver. The manufacturer information should be on top rib of the barrel. These 3rd Models were designed for modern smokeless ammo and are identified by the modern looking cylinder stop cuts that hold keep the cylinder from freewheeling at rest. Production began in 1909 or so and lasted until WWII. If is is still in mechanically good shape, there is no reason not to fire it with recent production ammo.

I CCW a "like new" 1911 production example on a regular basis loaded with Winchester Super-X .32 S&W rounds.

Great Guns!

 

[rondog]

The Hoot Owl Handgun Co.?

 

[David E]

That's the "Hooter's .38"...........notice the icon on the grip......a literal play on words, where "38" meant two different things.........

Typically sold in 2 pistol sets, prompting the phrase, "Hey, nice pair of Hooters!"

 

[The Oncoming Storm]

Thanks for all the helpful information, folks. I really appreciate it.

As I stated before, it was my great-grandfather's revolver, then my grandfather's, and now my father's. After my grandfather passed away and while my grandmother was still alive, she showed me this gun and asked me to help her find ammunition for it for home defense. She had some old bullets in the box the gun was kept in and we fired them from the front porch together, taking turns. That was a very fun and precious memory for me. After she passed away ten years after my grandfather, my father now has the old revolver. We don't plan on shooting it much, if at all. We mostly would like to hang on to it to pass down the line as a family heirloom of sorts. But it's nice to know that if we wanted to shoot it, we could, as it's in operable condition.

Thanks again, everybody!

 

[DrLaw]

These guns were the everyman's concealed carry type of guns in the old days. Small, lightweight, and very concealable in any pocket. There were many gun makers out there, and most fell out as the century passed. Meridian, Iver Johnson, Smith & Wesson, Harrington & Richardson, etc... all made similar style top break revolvers.

Many people bought them for home protection as well as round-about carry. Google top-break revolvers and you should get a few images and articles.

The Doc is out now.