Is there an Iver Johnson expert here?

[Col. Harrumph]

Just kidding, I know the answer has to be "yes!"

Can anyone supply me with the year of manufacture of a U.S. Revolver .32 break-top with serial number stamped under the left grip panel: 47519. That and "U.S. Revolver Co." on the rib are the only markings.

This belly gun was a gift/curse from a now-deceased uncle. Many parts are missing and I'm gathering what's needed to get it shooting. On that note, I'm hoping it's a later gun that'll swallow smokeless loads. But if not, I have plenty of black on hand.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Photos are always helpful. Is the spring flat or coil under the grip?

Quick overview:

https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/u.s.-revolver-company-2415.html

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Thank you Dr.! The hammer spring is the flat type. Here's a pic of what he left me:

 

[Dr.Rob]

Is it 32 S&W or 32 S&W Long?

I've read that flat springs meant black power and coil meant smokeless but the article I linked contradicts that and says ALL US Revolver Co arms are smokeless. If it's a Long its made after 1931 and it will be a large frame.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

No, it's .32 short, and I agree that overview contradicts itself, so I'm going to play it safe and stick to black if I do finally get it into shooting condition.

 

[Ron James]

Made in 1915, based on the first model safety hammer, No letter prefix was used until 1917. The US Revolver was built using left over frames when Iver Johnson switched to the Second model in 1909, It was meant to be a temporary thing but the Revolver proved so propeller that it stayed in production until 1933, It was sold by mail order only . The pressure level of the black powder and smokeless powder 32 S&W short is the same, the difference is the pressure curve betwwn the two powders. The problem arises in the fact Iver Johnsons made after 1909 are proofed for smokeless power but there is no record of them ever proofing the US Revolver for smokeless, hence no can say or state they are safe with smokeless powder . I will not encourage any one to be unsafe so I have to say the US Revolver is black posder only. But if a person stoped and thinks about it, the guns were made well into the smokeless era and at the time no one even asked such a question but loaded them up with smokeless and fired away, perhaps that is why some of the older guns are so loose, , from shooting smokes less with the sharper power curve. I have shot all my all of my 32 S&W Shorts with smokeless and have never had a problem because either way the cartridge is such a powder puff., but that is just my habit and I will not tell any one else it is safe to do so .

 

[damyankee425]

Hello. I too haveobtain an Iver Johnson. I have questions also such as Col Harrumph. Need help to identify this piece.