Old Iver Johnson identification

[Ronin7015]

Hello,
I was hoping someone can help me identify my old pistol I was given by my brother, its a five shot, exposed hammer serial number 1 30749 . It has the pat pending info on the side of the barrel but its semi corroded and the Iver Johnson arms and cycle works on the top rib.

Thanks

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Pics?

 

[Jim Watson]

1. There were a lot of different Iver Johnsons made, pictures would be a big help.
2. They did not take serial numbers above 100000, could that be an I 30479?
3. I do not know of a free tabulation on the internet, you need to get somebody's attention who owns the Goforth book.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

If it has a letter in the serial number, it's a smokeless powder proofed model. If it is just a 5 number serial number, no letters, it was made prior to 1904 and is black powder only. I agree with Jim Watson I think that's a I and therefore is smokeless proof.
My experience with them is that they're difficult, if not were designed to not be able to , be taken apart so therefore shooting it will just keep wearing it and build up residue and eventually will destroy the revolver. They don't have screws like most revolvers, but have pins. They were the cheap , pickup and put in your pocket guns of the day. They weren't designed to be able to use for a long time; it was assumed someone would purchase this, load it, put It in their pocket and carry it with them on their travels .

 

[Col. Harrumph]

We need pics, barrel length, markings (be exact, they did change occasionally), and which cartrige it's chambered for.

Remove the grips. Is the hammer spring flat or coil? If coil, modern factory ammo is safe to shoot. If flat, it's limited to black powder.

 

[Ronin7015]

It has the flat spring , here is the serial number .