Iver johnson 32 top break

[Rex in OTZ]

Top Breaks are very cool old guns, but the latch design is simply not strong enough to put up with the constant pounding of modern high pressure rounds like 357 Magnum or 44 Magnum.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/modern-top-break-revolver.645782/

Like brass frame cap and ball revolvers, its just realize the limitations and embrace the suck.
If you want top end performance then your equipment should be rated for it.
If not, reload for what your particular weapon will handle.

 

[Monac]

I have this Iver Johnson - on the bottom of the butt of the gun it has this "pat june 1696 aug 2596. I know I have to remove the grips to find the serial. this was my dad's. its pretty cool. I had to share!

I think it would be tedious to try and be funny about this, so I will just say that both of these patent dates should probably be 1896. Personally, I make so many mistakes trying to type on a smartphone that I have stuck with a flip phone for everyday use. IMO, if you are just going to use a cell phone for voice calls, a flip phone is actually superior.

Valenzo, your gun is in very good condition for a blued pre-World War 2 Iver Johnson. Can you tell if it is a 32 or a 38? I can't tell from the photo.

 

[Speedo66]

Top Breaks are very cool old guns, but the latch design is simply not strong enough to put up with the constant pounding of modern high pressure rounds like 357 Magnum or 44 Magnum.

This one might. http://andersonwheeler.co.uk/the-gun-room/revolver/

 

[dbluefish]

Actually, this revolver was made at a time when quality was a given, not an empty promise. And while there were many low cost copies of this type of revolver, even including the Sears A.J. Aubrey house brand, Iver Johnson wasn't one of them. As such, when new, the purchaser need have no concerns that his revolver was defective in any way.
And the fact that a revolver might have been manufactured in the 1920s means that the maker had access to modern steels to work with. Certainly I have never had any concerns shooting older pistols and revolvers including a Colt New Service, which were made early in the 20th century.
Steel doesn't degrade like plastic.
So, I am in full agreement with Driftwood Johnson, who has made it simple for the OP to determine whether his revolver is a smokeless powder gun.
If this revolver isn't in a worn-out condition, or rusted out, or otherwise damaged, it will be safe to shoot with .32 S&W factory ammunition if it IS a smokeless model.

And, I'm sure that 99% of the members here would be able to visually tell the difference between .38, .32, or .22 caliber without a "household object".

Well some might use a 'household' object for a bore that 'tiny', lol