Iver Johnson .22 Near Mint

[Rusty Stuff]

Greetings! This revolver was found in a late friend's effects. Can anyone here tell me about it?

 

[Rusty Stuff]

A few more...

 

[Monac]

Boy, those are hard to find. 22's tend to get shot to pieces because the ammo is so cheap and widely available. The finish looks really nice. And it's a Third Model, which is the kind I would prefer because the adjustable coil mainspring is mechanically interesting. And I would much rather have one of these 7-shooters than the far more common 32's, either as a collectible or as a vest-pocket weapon back in 1906.

I have no idea if 22 Long Rifle existed when this was made, or if they were intended for 22 Short and Long only?

PS - Thanks for putting up such good pictures. It's a pleasure to see it.

 

[Rusty Stuff]

Can anyone say how old it is? Serial # E19084
And how does one remove the cylinder? I see a notch in a collar on the sleeve at the front of the cylinder, but it doesn't seem to allow it to come off.
Thanks in advance!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Neato revolver and welcome to the forum!
Iver Johnson was a prolific manufacturer of inexpensive guns and that is typical of their early products, though .22s are uncommon. If unmarked as to caliber it is probably actually chambered for .22 Long rather than the more powerful .22 Long Rifle and caution should be taken before attempting to shoot modern ammunition in it. The cylinder is almost certainly not heat treated and may be iron rather than steel- an IJ expert would be needed to confirm this, which Im not- but several of our members are, hopefully one comes along shortly.

The condition is excellent- most of these guns lived hard lives and show it. Especially interesting is the mainspring adjustment provision evident in the gripframe with the the panels removed. Moving the spring mount up and down in the frame grooves would change the spring tension.

IJs are known for being rather fragile and going out of cylinder time regularly. Even if its determined that modern ammo can be safely used, a competent gunsmith should check it out before attempting to shoot it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ok, found one of Driftwood Johnsons old post on the subject. He indicates that the coil-spring models are safe for smokeless powder. I trust his expertise on the matter. I'm guessing its still really chambered for .22 Long and LR may or may not fit...but .22 Shorts should be ok, assuming the timing is sound.
Age wise, it appears they used the "Cycle Works" designation between about 1891 and 1915 or so.

Nifty attic find, for sure.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

My local LGS has a shelf full of CCI .22 longs.

 

[Rusty Stuff]

Thanks, I have both Standard Velocity Shorts and S.V. Longs.
Has anyone got any suggestions for removing the cylinder?

 

[.455_Hunter]

Has anyone got any suggestions for removing the cylinder?

With the gun already broken open, try actuating the release latch then simultaneously sliding the cylinder off the axis tube. You can see the small stud on the latch retaining the cylinder in your 7th picture from the top.

 

[Rusty Stuff]

<<<Slaps Forehead>>> Yessir that worked! One does have to properly clock the notch at the front of the cylinder for it to slide off.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Now I'd like to locate a proper box for it and whatever else was in it. Does anyone have any ideas? BTW, This forum is great!