Iver Johnson revolver

[statman92]

Hello everyone, this is my first post.

I want to get some info for my father-in-law on an old revolver he has. From images on the net it looks like everyone else's Iver Johnson revolver, so I didn't include one. Unlike the other similar inquiries on such revolvers I found on several sites including this one, this particular revolver only has markings in one place that are visible. Its markings are only on the rib along the top of the barrel, in two rows, and read as follows the best I can make out (the 2nd row is quite hard to read, even zoomed way in with a good camera):

row 1: IVER JOHNSON'S RMS & CYCLE WORKS. FITCHBURG MASS.U.S.A.
row 2: PAT'D APR 8.08.FEB 8.87.MAY 10.87. AUG.25.96. PATS PENDING.

I'm sure it has a serial number under the grips, but I can't get it off, the screw is just too boogered up for my skill level and tools.

Otherwise, it is a two-post type, with 5 cylinders. My best guess is that it is a 38S&W made around 1915, that should use only black powder hand-loads, at best, and probably shouldn't be fired at all.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ron James]

Iver Johnson used those barrel markings on all frame sizes in 1897/and 1898. Yes that would make it a Black power frame. 1909 was the change over to a stronger frame.

 

[statman92]

Thanks for the info Ron. I guess those patent years weren't "08" but "88" then eh?

 

[hartcreek]

Look on the butt frame for the number.

 

[hartcreek]

The newer ones added the 1908 date in addition so the newer ones last three patent dates.....I just checked on one of my daily carrys.

 

[Jim K]

If the grips are original, a post-1909 gun will have the owl's head upright; the older guns have the owl's head facing to the front.

Jim

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

The newer guns will also have a rectangular bolt slot in the cylinder.

 

[Ron James]

Well, all that might be fact, but with out the proper serial number and no photo, then one has to go by what is illustrated and printed in Bill Goforth's book in reference to patent numbers and the way the company address is marked and the dates it was so marked...

 

[statman92]

Thanks everyone, all signs point to 1897/98 then. Definitely good to know. I sure am glad my father-in-law didn't just try 38 special in it.