I have just inherited a US Revolver S&W 38 5 shot with the serial # T53581. I believe it may have been made by Iver Johnson.

Could anyone help with the year this gun was made?

Also, it needs a trigger return spring to make it operational.

Where can I find a part this old?

Thanks for any help in advance,
Rob

How about a picture? Almost any good gunsmith will make a trigger return spring for you. I had one made and installed for an 1886 French revolver for $35.

rwl8261, U.S.Revolvers were made by Iver Johnson from 1910 to 1935. A total of 137,650 were made in various calibers. Both hammerless and hammer models were made. The serial numbers used for these revolvers do not list any with a "T" prefix. Check your number again. The "T" stamp may be an inspector or fitters mark. Serial number 53581 ( no letter prefix) was made in 1913, so be sure to throw a 100th yr. birthday party for the old girl! Try Numrich ( Gun Parts Corp) for the trigger return replacement Good luck, Ed

The US Revolver Co was Iver Johnson's second line of revolvers. They were suitable for black powder only, and most experts will tell you not to use 38 smokeless factory loads, as they would soon stretch the frame. The usual finish is nickel although they were also available in blue. As to when it was made, I think the only listings are in Bill Goforth's book on Iver Johnsons. Found the following information online, but no dates associated with serial numbers. I can not vouch for its accuracy.

U.S. REVOLVER CO. 1910-1935

This is a Brand name revolver manufactured by Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works to be sold through the wholesale trade. It was never listed in any Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works catalog, although it was listed in some European catalogs as original Iver Johnson products. Does not have Hammer the Hammer action and relies on a safety notch on the hammer.

Hard rubber grip panels with U S at the top, large oversize two piece hard rubber grips were optional. Two frame sizes and three calibers were offered. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ¼ inches; Calibers: large frame 38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, small frame .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity Weight: small frame .22 rimfire 12 ounces, small frame .32 centerfire 12 ½ ounces, large frame .38 centerfire 17 ¾ ounces; Height: small frame 3 ¾ inches, large frame 3 7/8 inches; Frame length: small frame 4 3/16 inches, large frame 5 inches; Overall length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ¼ inches 7 3/8 inches. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.

VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$105

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Numrich (gunparts.com) usually has the trigger return spring for these in stock. They sometimes need some fitting to work properly but I have used them before, trigger springs seem to be the most common failure in these guns.

I also own a double action revolver manufactured by U.S. Revolver Co. that has a 5 inch barrel and is chambered in 38 S&W. The serial number is “2” and it is stamped on the underside of the trigger guard and under the wooden grips on both the left and right side of the grip frame. In addition, the wooden grips have the number 2, in pencil, on the inside if each grip panel.

I’m wondering what the year of manufacture was and where I can get that information. Thank you for any help you can give.

Assuming that the "2" is the serial number, it is listed in Bill Goforth's book "Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Handguns 1871-1978" as being made in 1911. Other sources estimate that the US Revolver line of handguns were made on the machinery of Forehand & Wadsworth, a competitor recently acquired by Iver Johnson, starting in 1910, and the guns were made for the foreign market to capitalize on the current rage for USA made products in those markets. The US revolvers were quality guns but lacked the "Hammer the Hammer" marketing feature of the standard Iver Johnson line of revolvers. Ed.

opoefc, Thank you for the information.