I have this old revolver. What is it?

[Bovice]

My grandfather passed away in October and I got some of his guns he had. This one was a revolver I had last seen as a kid, and he said it was his grandfather's gun that got passed along.

I'm guessing somebody here can tell me about this gun.

 

[LAGS]

Looks to be an old US Revolver Company , and is probably 38 S&W or it could be a .32 S&W
These are very similar to the Harrington & Richardson top break revolvers made from the 1880's to 1940's

 

[Ron James]

I don't think it is a Iver Johnson US Revolver, it looks more like a Iver Johnson " Secret Service " made from 1911 until 1920's something. Are there any markings at all, say, perhaps on top of the barrel or under the left grip??

 

[Bovice]

I haven't seen any markings and definitely haven't taken off the grips. I did a Google search on that Iver Johnson secret service tip. I think you got it. It's certainly a .38 S&W caliber, 5 shot cylinder. My great-great -grandfather owned it originally and committed suicide with it. Why they've held it for 4 generations is beyond me, I don't think I'd pass on something like that if it started with me. As it is, I gotta keep it and figure I oughta know what's in my safe. I don't plan on shooting it.

Thanks guys.

 

[Ash]

While this one is nicer than the "suicide special" that is what it is, I suppose. It's family history in a macabre sort of way. Because of that, the exact type really doesn't matter except as edifying knowledge. Aside from the US Revolver grips, it looks alot like the US Revolvers I have seen. The Secret Service special has a pin just below the rear sight, doesn't it? Though I suppose not all of them will have it. I'll defer to those who know better, though, because I'm more of a Hopkins and Allen guy (based on my family history, a whole lot more positive than yours).

But history is what it is. It might be really sinister to keep such a thing, but family history it is all the same.

 

[Ron James]

The " Secret Service " revolvers was made by four different manufactures, Hopkins and Allen, H&R, an unknown Spanish maker and of course Iver Johnson. The were contractor for and sold by the Fred Biffar Co., Most by mail order. While Iver Johnson revolvers were not the same quality of Colt and Smith and Wesson they were solid utility firearms' , used through out the world. Many small police forces and guard forces were equipped with Iver Johnsons and the British even ordered them in WWII. They were not junk firearms and definitely do not fall into the suicide special category. The reason so many Iver Johnsons are found in such poor shape is that they were carried and literally " worked to death ".