Another Iver Johnson Revolver Identification...

[InheritedRevolver]

I've just inherited the revolver in the attached pictures. It's an Iver Johnson .38 5 shot safety automatic revolver. I don't know how to tell the difference between "small frame" or "large frame." The top of the barrel says "Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Fitchburg Mass. U.S.A." The patent information on the bottom of the grip is pretty much illegible, as it's worn down too far. I can see a "P" on the top line and the word "Patent on the second line. I was able to carefully remove the left grip, revealing a SN of "H771XX." The numerals match the SN printed on the trigger guard.

I haven't been able to find anything reliable about the "H" serial number prefix, and I'm wondering about the date of manufacture. Right now, based on a lot of digging around the internet, I believe that this is likely a third model manufactured sometime in the 20s to the 40s which can be used with smokeless powder, but I'd appreciate if anyone can give me better information.

It won't be fired until I can have a qualified gunsmith look it over carefully. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim Watson]

Coil mainspring?
Third model, 1920s or 1930s.
Barrel sawn off.
"Qualified gunsmiths" who will take on the liability of telling you an old gun is usable might be hard to find.

 

[InheritedRevolver]

Coil mainspring?
Third model, 1920s or 1930s.
Barrel sawn off.
"Qualified gunsmiths" who will take on the liability of telling you an old gun is usable might be hard to find.

Sorry, I got distracted and hadn't come back for a while. It is, indeed, a coil mainspring. I expect a gunsmith more to talk about the general condition of the gun and inform me of any glaring problems, rather than tell me, "FIRE AWAY." We'll see where we go.

Interesting on the sawn off barrel. I wondered what exactly I was looking at on the front of the barrel. Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

It might be more work than you would want to do or pay for, but it was common in the day to cut a slot in the rib and solder or pin in a segment of a dime or penny as a replacement front sight.

 

[Ken T]

The easiest way to a front sight just to shoot is to drill a hole in the rib and install a small rod as a front sight.Any decent machine can mill a half moon slot for a front sight if you want to pay to have the work done.Gun Parts Corp has numerous suitable sight blades.