Ivor Johnson Dating/Value

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ScottScott

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I inherited an Iver Johnson 32 caliber top break. The only serial number I could find was on the left side under the grip. The serial number is A 906xx. The gun was last fired perhaps 35 years ago and worked fine at that time. I have noticed that the ejector doesn't work much of the time now. It used to work flawlessly. The gun had the original grips removed and replaced with some homemade wood grips.

Any information would be appreciated.
 
Model 2, Second Model

Owl is looking to the barrel(Yours doesn't have the correct grips).

Double top latch, manufactured from 1897 - 1899, serial number with A, E or F letter prefix,
Marked on the top of the barrel rib -
IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG. MASS.U.S.A.
PAT'D.APR.6.86.FEB.15.87.MAY 10.87.AUG.25.96 PAT'S PENDING

The Second Model Hammer continued in 1900 with the 1st variation and stopped in 1908 with the 6th variation. Overall production was 950'000 revolvers.

Hope this helps you.
 
Howdy

Judging from the shape of the locking slots on the cylinder, and the fact that it has a leaf spring for a hammer spring, I can tell you that you have one of the older Iver Johnsons that was not designed to shoot Smokeless Powder.

Sometime at the turn of the Century, Iver Johnson completely redesigned their revolvers. They used better steel, and these guns were meant to shoot cartridges loaded with modern Smokeless powder.

The identifying features of the newer models were the little owl on the grips faced backwards, and the hammer spring was a coil spring. Also, notice the locking slots on the cylinder. They have a hard edge both top and bottom, meaning the bolt engaged the cylinder locking slots at both surfaces.

Here is a photo of a hammerless Iver Johnson that exhibits these features.

IverJohnsonHammerless01.jpg




This is an example of one of the earlier Iver Johnson revolvers. Notice the shape of the locking slots on the cylinder are similar to yours. The bolt only engaged the locking slot on one side, the hand was what prevented the cylinder from rolling backwards. Notice the little owl on the grips faces forward. If your original grips were present, they would look like this. And underneath the grips, the hammer springs on these earlier revolvers were leaf springs, just like yours.

2834897460102804856S600x600Q85.jpg




I cannot tell you much more than that, I do not know the exact model you have. I can tell you I would not shoot it with modern Smokeless ammunition, only with ammunition loaded with Black Powder. Not having the gun in hand, I cannot tell you why the ejector does not work properly all the time, except maybe something inside is worn out, or maybe it is just gunked up.

As for value, unfortunately it is not worth very much.

Maybe $50 as a parts gun.
 
Model 2, Second Model

Owl is looking to the barrel(Yours doesn't have the correct grips).

Double top latch, manufactured from 1897 - 1899, serial number with A, E or F letter prefix,
Marked on the top of the barrel rib -
IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG. MASS.U.S.A.
PAT'D.APR.6.86.FEB.15.87.MAY 10.87.AUG.25.96 PAT'S PENDING

The Second Model Hammer continued in 1900 with the 1st variation and stopped in 1908 with the 6th variation. Overall production was 950'000 revolvers.

Hope this helps you.
Thank you!
 
Howdy

Judging from the shape of the locking slots on the cylinder, and the fact that it has a leaf spring for a hammer spring, I can tell you that you have one of the older Iver Johnsons that was not designed to shoot Smokeless Powder.

Sometime at the turn of the Century, Iver Johnson completely redesigned their revolvers. They used better steel, and these guns were meant to shoot cartridges loaded with modern Smokeless powder.

The identifying features of the newer models were the little owl on the grips faced backwards, and the hammer spring was a coil spring. Also, notice the locking slots on the cylinder. They have a hard edge both top and bottom, meaning the bolt engaged the cylinder locking slots at both surfaces.

Here is a photo of a hammerless Iver Johnson that exhibits these features.

View attachment 812786




This is an example of one of the earlier Iver Johnson revolvers. Notice the shape of the locking slots on the cylinder are similar to yours. The bolt only engaged the locking slot on one side, the hand was what prevented the cylinder from rolling backwards. Notice the little owl on the grips faces forward. If your original grips were present, they would look like this. And underneath the grips, the hammer springs on these earlier revolvers were leaf springs, just like yours.

View attachment 812787




I cannot tell you much more than that, I do not know the exact model you have. I can tell you I would not shoot it with modern Smokeless ammunition, only with ammunition loaded with Black Powder. Not having the gun in hand, I cannot tell you why the ejector does not work properly all the time, except maybe something inside is worn out, or maybe it is just gunked up.

As for value, unfortunately it is not worth very much.

Maybe $50 as a parts gun.
Thank you! I might try to find a grip for it so it is more original. I really thought the value would be low so I'm not surprised.
 
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