Old non-S&W top break w/safety button....

82ndpara · #1 06-03-2014, 10:41 PM

This clearly isn't a S&W, but I think it's interesting to a degree, beyond the fact that it belonged to my great grandfather, in thatit has the safetybutton on the side.
It's marked "Secret Service Special" "For .38 Smith & Wesson Ctgs".... and a patent date of May 22, 1917...
I read that they were made for the "Fred Biffar Co." by either Iver Johnson, Harrington Richardson or Meriden Fire Arms Co. .....
Anyone have any other info on this beauty?
Cheers,

82ndpara

82ndpara · #2 06-03-2014, 10:44 PM

The safety button pushes from left to right to unlock...

82ndpara · #3 06-03-2014, 10:47 PM

some more photos, note the wrong stocks and damage/wear to the cylinder locking cuff (the part that connects under the barrel)...

glowe · #4 06-04-2014, 08:38 AM

The only thing identifiable to me is the dog's head on the stocks. Hopkins & Allen or their successors used that design, but one never knows if the stocks are original or put on the gun later. Interesting that there is no maker's name anywhere and I suspect that the Hopkins Allen name was used by a later era manufacturer. Secret Service Special was a tradename used by Rhode-Spencer Co., Chicago, who may have marketed your revolver using the Hopkins Allen name in their advertising.

82ndpara · #5 06-04-2014, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the info regarding the dog's head stocks....
The stocks are definitely not original; they don't quite cover the grip frame in all spots, but now that I think of it, didn't someone once say that that the hard rubber stocks have a tendency to shrink?

alanfir · #6 06-04-2014, 01:21 PM

Iver Johnson was the only maker of the three to use the safety button. The grips should have three intertwined S's so the originals have been replaced. The dog's head grips are very nice looking on this revolver.
Alanfir.

TIMETRIPPER · #7 06-04-2014, 01:40 PM

Secret Service Specials were made for Biffar by IJ, H&R, H&A and Meridian. Reading through the late W E Goforth's book on Iver Johnson firearms, I find that he believed that only the IJ made Secret Service Special revolvers had the patented safety hammer block lever as seen on your gun. The patent was assigned to Fred Biffar. Another sure ID of it being an Iver Johnson revolver would be if it has a frame mounted firing pin. While both IJ and Meridian guns had this, the Meridian had a different shaped front sight. All others had the integral, hammer mounted firing pin. Correct stocks will have three intertwined script "S" at the top of the stocks. You may be able to find replacements at gun shows or on EBay. The serial number of your revolver is consistent with Iver Johnson's large frame hammer model and dates to 1919.
John

82ndpara · #8 06-04-2014, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIMETRIPPER

Secret Service Specials were made for Biffar by IJ, H&R, H&A and Meridian. Reading through the late W E Goforth's book on Iver Johnson firearms, I find that he believed that only the IJ made Secret Service Special revolvers had the patented safety hammer block lever as seen on your gun. The patent was assigned to Fred Biffar. Another sure ID of it being an Iver Johnson revolver would be if it has a frame mounted firing pin. While both IJ and Meridian guns had this, the Meridian had a different shaped front sight. All others had the integral, hammer mounted firing pin. Correct stocks will have three intertwined script "S" at the top of the stocks. You may be able to find replacements at gun shows or on EBay. The serial number of your revolver is consistent with Iver Johnson's large frame hammer model and dates to 1919.
John

Thanks for all that info, I'll include it in my bio-history for the gun!
Cheers,

82ndpara