Iver Johnson small frame revolver

T

tony.r

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My first post from australia.
I have a 32 cal small frame revolver, that i am trying to date the manufacture.
It appears unfired with the origional pearl grips.
serial number is J3548 Stamped on R/S strap under grips and 3548 on T.G.
Any help would be appreciated.
regards
tony australia
 

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Book Review: Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993

October 17, 2013 Ian McCollum Book review, Revolver, Video 16

The Iver Johnson company doesn’t get much respect or recognition these days, but they made a staggering number of generally very good, inexpensive handguns for many decades. The “cheap” image of the brand has largely prevented a significant collector appeal, and in turn a lack of good research or documentation. The exception to that trend is Bill Goforth, whom I have to believe ignored a great many snickers and jeers and spent a great deal of time and effort amassing a collection of Iver Johnson firearms and studiously researching their history. Mr. Goforth is sadly passed away now, but his knowledge lives on in the book he wrote, entitled Iver Johnson: Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993. It is a heavily data-oriented volume, and an excellent resource for identifying and dating Iver Johnson revolvers (its coverage of long guns is minimal).
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Should be about $35 new, plus shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/Iver-Johnson-.../dp/0978708601

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...pap_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=&sr=
 
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I just looked up amazon, and the automatic postage to australia is $65 US,
$140AUST, wow someone is making money.
If someone has that book could they please scan a page for my serial number please.
tks
 
I don't know much about these but I would be surprised if the grips are original. All I have ever seen had the hard rubber with the owl on them. The way the owl faces tells you if its a smokeless powder or black powder frame.

The cylinder looks short so it may be a 32 short and not the 32 long chambering. Its a nice looking gun. I wish it were mine. I am a real fan of the 32 caliber in a handgun.
 
I am fairly sure the grips are origional, they fit like a glove and the number is scratched on the inside of left grip
 
The way the owl faces tells you if its a smokeless powder or black powder frame.
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Whether or not those grips are original, I can tell from the shape of the cylinder locking slots that it is an Iver Johnson from the Smokeless era. If you take off the grips, you will see the mainspring is a coil spring, not a leaf spring.

This is an Iver Johnson from the Black Powder era. Notice the direction the little owl is facing, and notice the shape of the cylinder locking slots. There is a hard edge on only one side. The hand kept the cylinder from rolling backwards.

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Around 1900 or so Iver Johnson completely redesigned their revolvers for Smokeless powder. In addition to using better steel, the little owl faced the other way, the cylinder locking slots had two hard edges so the bolt would be engaged on both sides, and the hammer spring was a coil spring.

This is a Smokeless era Iver Johnson. Notice the direction the little owl is facing. Also notice the shape of the cylinder locking slots. Underneath the grips, the main spring is a coil spring.

IverJohnsonHammerless01.jpg
 
yes it does have a coil spring.bottom of grip strap has following.
PAT NOV 17.08
PATENT PENDING.

Im looking for someone to scan a serial number page for me, I have to prove it was built before 1946, re our Pistol Laws in Australia
 
I don't know anything about I.J. revolvers, but I like a good Google challenge. From what I could find it looks like a 3rd model safety automatic. They were manufactured from 1909-1941. I could be completely wrong though.
 
Whether or not those grips are original, I can tell from the shape of the cylinder locking slots that it is an Iver Johnson from the Smokeless era. If you take off the grips, you will see the mainspring is a coil spring, not a leaf spring.
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See, I told you didn't know much about these guns.:D

I had forgotten about the bolt slots. And I used to know that factoid.:mad:

I really like the gun though.:)
 
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Hear are some more photo's
 

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Did you ever find out the caliber as to if it’s the short or long round? There was a very well written article on 32 caliber guns by Gil Sengel in Handloder magazine several years ago. It would be worth seeing if you can order a back issue of that article. Will it help you with determining what your gun is? No, it’s just a really good read on the history of the 32 round from ball and powder to metallic cartridges.
 
Did you ever find out the caliber as to if it’s the short or long round? There was a very well written article on 32 caliber guns by Gil Sengel in Handloder magazine several years ago. It would be worth seeing if you can order a back issue of that article. Will it help you with determining what your gun is? No, it’s just a really good read on the history of the 32 round from ball and powder to metallic cartridges.

No im not sure, the measurements of the cylinder are 0.950'' length
and 0.585'' to the step in the cylinder, if that helps, i dont have and 32 ammo to check
 
I measured one of my 32 long round nose loads and it measure 1.265 so I think its safe to assume your gun is chambered for the original 32 short round.

Those are kind of hard to find around here but brass is available as are dies so reloading makes it an easy job. But if you don't reload and buy factory rounds whatever you do don't throw away the brass. You may not reload now but someday you might and brass is the most essential part of the round. Bullets can be cast, powder works across a broad range of rounds, primers are the same but brass can be tough to come by.

A report when you do shoot it will be needed of course.:D
 
unfortunately hear in oz the gun is held on a collectors licence and can only be shot at a official range.
we dont have the liberty to be able to carry and shoot handguns.
 
unfortunately hear in oz the gun is held on a collectors licence and can only be shot at a official range.
we dont have the liberty to be able to carry and shoot handguns.
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Wow! What a shame. But I guess you just do what you can with what you have to work with. I would hate to have a gun like that and not be able to go to my buds land and just plink into the dirt hills around there.
 
These are not high dollar items here because so many were made. Yours seems to be in very good condition, maybe 150 to 200 , maybe a bit more to the right buyer, Hope that helps, good luck and shoot safe.
 
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