Iver Johnson 32 cal.

[damyankee425]

hello, I just recieved a Iver johnson 23 cal hammerless pistol. looks very much like the model my grandfather carried . Pocket gun he called it. was a police officer in the mid 20's. to early 30's. It has stamped Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works.Fitchburg Mass. the only numbers I have are under the trigger gaurd. 98735. hopefully looking to find build date , thanks.

 

[Cokeman]

Let’s see it

 

[Jim K]

IJ revolvers had the full serial number on the side under the grip. The first series had no letter prefix but after that there was a letter which was part of the serial number and also indicated the model, as well as giving the approximate date of manufacture.

Jim

 

[.455_Hunter]

Does the cylinder free wheel?

 

[damyankee425]

IJ revolvers had the full serial number on the side under the grip. The first series had no letter prefix but after that there was a letter which was part of the serial number and also indicated the model, as well as giving the approximate date of manufacture.

Jim

I found the number under the grip the same as stated before but has a D n in front of it.

 

[damyankee425]

Does the cylinder free wheel?

No it does not free wheel and is hammerless.

 

[damyankee425]

Ha a 1910or 1940. Gun shown up against period furni.ture

 

[damyankee425]

One more

 

[il_10]

Yours is a 3rd model, meaning it should be perfectly safe with modern smokeless loads. There are a few tipoffs: Four pins in the trigger group area rather than two, positive locking notches on the cylinder for the bolt rather than grooves that would allow the cylinder to spin freely, lack of a trigger safety, and the owl on the grips faces away from the gun rather than towards it.

The Third/New model was manufactured between 1909 and 1941. Someone else may be able to get you closer with the serial number. It appears to be in great shape, and blued usually commands a premium over other finishes.

It's worth noting that these fire .32 s&w, not to be confused with .32 s&w long. Ammo can be tricky to find, but is still being made.

 

[damyankee425]

Yours is a 3rd model, meaning it should be perfectly safe with modern smokeless loads. There are a few tipoffs: Four pins in the trigger group area rather than two, positive locking notches on the cylinder for the bolt rather than grooves that would allow the cylinder to spin freely, lack of a trigger safety, and the owl on the grips faces away from the gun rather than towards it.

The Third/New model was manufactured between 1909 and 1941. Someone else may be able to get you closer with the serial number. It appears to be in great shape, and blued usually commands a premium over other finishes.

It's worth noting that these fire .32 s&w, not to be confused with .32 s&w long. Ammo can be tricky to find, but is still being made.

thank you so very much. I found some of this info but needed some one to verify that I was on the right track. this is very much like my grandfathers pocket gun he used as back up when walking his beat.