Information on an old revolver

[creitzel]

Hello all,

My friend, at work, has an old revolver that he wants to get some more information on. I'm not much help to him unfortunately, as I'm a relatively new shooter myself, but I figured the guru's here could probably help us out

All he knows about it is that it was made by a company called Iver Johnson, and it's in .32 caliber. It appears to be a hammerless version, and holds 5 rounds. It was his uncle's revolver, and he found a Michigan safety inspection card that dates to 1947. I didn't know if you guys would need the serial number, but I can probably get it if you do.

He's looking to find out what year it was made in, and how much it might be worth today. He also would like to know what kind of today's ammunition would work with it safely, if any. Any other information you guys can give us about it is a bonus

I've attached a picture of the revolver for you below.



Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Starter52]

Iver Johnson made tens of thousands .32 revolvers from 1890 - 1960. They are not scarce and have little collector value. Most are good, decent American-made guns. You can buy them today for around $100.

You friend's gun is likely chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge.

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Chris,

From the look of this revolver, I have the same one with a nickle coating. Based on the size of the cylinder, it probably shoots .32 S&W (most likely not the long round)

To determine year of manufacture go to the following web site:
Iver Johnson FAQ

Depending on the year it was made, it may not be safe with modern catridges. It may also be a pre 1899 firearm. According to BATFE, any firearm made before 1899 is not a firearm for legal purposes.

Regardless, these are great little revolvers with a lot of history.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

 

[Ron James]

Or go to the Numrich arms ( http://e-gunparts.com.forum/forums.asp ) and post under Handguns, Mr bgoforth will be along and tell you every thing you want to know. Yes, he will need the serial number. Mr. Goforth wrote the book on Iver Johnson and is getting ready to publish another one.

 

[creitzel]

Thanks

for the replies guys I've posted a question on the forum you recommended. Hopefully we can get some more information from them.

My friend also found some rounds with the gun, I'm going to see if I can get him to take some pictures of them. I'm not even sure that he wants to fire the gun, but I would feel better, if he did decide to do so, that he knew exactly what the gun was chambered for.

Also, I'm going to get him to get the serial number off of it, so we can give it to Mr. Goforth if need be.

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[Old Fuff]

You may find that the serial number is stamped on the side of the frame under the grips. If so, be careful when you remove them as they crack and chip easily.

 

[model 649]

So THAT'S where ole Gaston got the trigger-latch idea! I learn something new every day. Fascinating.
Josh

 

[creitzel]

Update

Ok, my friend finally got back to me with some more info. I'm posting these pics, and this info here in hopes that Mr. Goforth will be able to view them, and provide us with some more info.

The serial number on the gun is: L28197
It has a 3" barrel.

The gun was found with the rounds in the picture called "rounds.jpg", I am assuming that these are .32 caliber S&W correct?

The "numbers.jpg" shows a pic of bottom of the grips, with the numbers engraved there. Some of them have been worn off, and are unreadable unfortunately.


Hopefully we will get some feedback from Mr. Goforth.

Thanks,

Chris