Can anybody help me ID this gun? Not alot to go off I know

[Snaps]

This thing was given to my dad by a guy at work. It was found in a closet and he wanted to get rid of it becuase "The bullets are too big."

Anyways I have no idea what it is. Trigger doesn't reset itself and the cylinder free spins. I don't have the balls to shoot it but I figure if anybody could tell me what it is I could do some research, or sometbody may even know something about it.

Here's what I've got


really the only distinguishing feature is that owl head on the grips

I can't read all the lettering on the bottom of the grip but what I can make out goes like this. _'s will fill in for anything I can't make out.

_ _ A P R 6 8 6 H _ _ _
_ Y1 0 8 7 M A R. 1 3.8 8
_ 96. P A T'S P E N D (then i'm going to guess ING)

So..... I know not much to go on... But any ideas

 

[RON in PA]

Believe it is an Iver Johnson break top revolver, nickel plated, either in 32 S&W or 38 S&W built before WW2. If in good internal condition probably safe with the original ammo which is low pressure stuff. Don't shoot unless someone knowledgeable checks it out. You are the proud possessor of what the antis call a Saturday Night Special.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Looks like an Iver Johnson from the 1890's.

 

[Snaps]

thanks guys.... It's not in bad shape, alot of crud in the cylinder and all. I'm gonna try and clean it up here and see about it then.

 

[mnrivrat]

Trigger doesn't re-set because the trigger return spring is broken. A very common occurance on these old top breaks.

It is as stated an Iver Johnson and should be labeled as such on the top of the barrel. It is nickel plated and has the shrouded hammer (hammerless by some peoples difinition) . They were made in 2 different frame sizes and came in .22 RF , .32 S&W, and .38 S&W

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Iver Johnson Hammerless

 

[ZeSpectre]

Look at the pictures here.
http://www2.arkansas.net/~sws1/ij-pix.htm

 

[moewadle]

I would not call this Iver Johnson

a Saturday Night Special. I believe they were actually a pretty good quality firearm.

 

[Snaps]

well i'll get it cleaned up, fix the trigger spring figure out why the fireing pin falls on its' own and maybe i'll actually try it at some point.