Iver Johnson Revolver Information

[SC_Slowhand]

I just added an Iver Johnson Safety Automatic to my collection.. I bought it as an antique made prior to 1899.



From my research I figure she is a second model, smokeless black powder. With a double top post barrel latch, flat leaf hammer spring and two cross pins in the lower frame, cylinder "free-wheeling" when at rest, plus the Owl is looking towards the muzzle end of the barrel.


Barrel length: 3 inches. 5 rounds cylinder capacity, Frame length: small frame 4 3/26 inches. The cylinder measures out at 0.93 of an inch and the chambers are 0.3350 inch in width. So it’s a .32 caliber.



The address on the barrel reads:

IVER JOHNSON’S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS. FITZBURG MASS USA
PATD APR 6 80 FEB15 87 MAY 10 87 DEC 20 93 PAT’S PENDING

There are two sets of numbers on this gun.



Underneath the grip on the left side is the number 37. There are no serial number prefix letters or other numbers there.



On the back of the top break barrel, underneath the base pin is the number 47.



The previous owner said that he shot it about once a month. I don’t plan on that. It has been in a plastic bag since Friday soaking to get cleaned up.

I’m of course looking for more information. Such as a parts listing, a schematic regarding disassembly. There’s of course no Owner’s Manual or PDF file available for these Old Gals. So I’m winging it here.

Not a top of the line piece but like several of my other recent additions Iver Johnson revolvers have a place in American History worthy of note.

 

[rcmodel]

This might be better served in the Firearms Research forum then in the Gunsmithing forum.

Heres a schematic of a similiar one.
If you have to ask how to take it apart, don't!

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/gander/products.asp?CatID=3868

rc

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Iver Johnson Information



Appreciate the link and the information.

I'm doing preservation not a restore on this old piece. I have several others recent acquisitions that are in various stages. Quite a few others that I’ve finished with. I don’t go any where near a complete disassembly with a lot of research and information, on a particular piece. Thus the inquiry on further information regarding the Iver Johnson. In the decades that I have been collecting I’ve been fortunate enough to ask and receive some rather useful information before I even begin to put a screw driver to one. Thanks for the advice.

I have no desire to restore them to an original shape by rebuilding parts, making replacement parts or drastically altering by polishing or refinishing. The idea is to preserve the historical and aesthetitic value. So let’s say I’m rather careful.

A lot of patience and a slowhand go a long way.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Iver Johnson

W. E. Goforth says that she is a 1st Model made in 1894 based upon the number and other considerations. Nice of him. I spent $40.00 on his book. The $250.00 for the collectors edition was a bit too much.

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with W. E. Goforth, in that it is a 1st model /small frame .32, and is apparently the 37th one made in 1894. However we part company when it comes to shooting with smokeless powder ammunition. There are two reasons: 1st. while smokeless cartridges are loaded to modest pressures the pressure curve is much quicker because the power is faster burning - and thus put's more strain on the cylinder, which is made from a low-carbon steel that isn't heat treated. 2nd. the cylinder is held in alignment with the bore by the hand pushing it against the one shoulder of the cylinder's notch (in other words by trigger finger pressure only), and with any wear on either the notch or hand, misalignment is common. I know some people shoot them, but I consider it to be unwise.

On the other hand "New Model" revolvers, introduced around 1909 have positive cylinder notches in the same maner as Colt's and Smith & Wesson's, and the cylinders do not freewheel. They also have coil mainsprings rather then flat, which makes for easy identification.

Incidentally, the last of these .32's were purchased by the U.S. Army for the O.S.S. during World War Two in 1941 or '42, which should lay to rest the idea that Iver Johnson revolver were sub-standard junk. However there were obvious differences in material and design between those made in 1894 and those manufactured in 1941.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

No argument on my side.

Old Fluff

I appreciate your comments.

I'm in agreement with you on the firing of smokeless powder through these old guns. I have entertained the idea in the past of shooting several originals that I own. But due to their age, consturction and the cost of replacement parts there would be little point.

The 1877 Colt Thunderer in .41 Cal is one that I would love to put a few rounds through but due to her legendary delicate nature and a 137 years or so of age... no thanks. I would just be asking for trouble.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[JohnBT]

Nice little IJ. Looks a lot like my grandfather's 3" .32. I've never even tried to date it or determine the model. John




edited to add: My grandfather was born in 1891 and I have no idea how long he owned it.

 

[Old Fuff]

The 1877 Colt Thunderer in .41 Cal is one that I would love to put a few rounds through but due to her legendary delicate nature and a 137 years or so of age... no thanks. I would just be asking for trouble.

Perhaps more so then you realize. The model 1877 was discontinued in 1908, but prior to that the box contained an end-label that warned it should only be fired with black powder cartridges.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I thought safety automatics auto-ejected?

 

[Old Fuff]

Long before so-called "automatic pistols" came on the market that would extract and eject a fired cartridge, top-break revolvers were sometimes called "automatic," because unlatching and turning the barrel downwards caused the extractor to rise up and eject whatever cartridges or cases were in the cylinder's chambers.

In this case "safety" refered to a transfer bar safety that prevented an accidental discharge if a conventional thumb-cocking hammer was dropped or otherwise suffered a hard blow.

 

[kansersurvivor]

I have one! Love it. Mine was made in 1921 so I shoot Magtech LRN rounds through it. Not very often, but it works just fine.

They are not worth much, but being as its a family gun I'll keep it. Have often thought about trying to refinish it myself, but just never have. Maybe one day...


Nice IJ...