Latest orphan adopted...

old tanker · #1 03-21-2018, 10:32 AM

Latest Iver Johnson revolver to find its way to the Hardin County Home for Wayward Guns. Iver Johnson made center-fire, break open, revolvers in two frame sizes: the small frame, 5 shots in .32 S&W short and the large frame, 5 shots in .38 S&W. Nickel was the most common finish with 3 inches as the most common barrel length. Not surprising, as most of them were carried in pockets or lived in sock drawers.

Somewhat uncommon, this one is blue with a 6 inch barrel, chambered in .32 S&W long, but as it was based on the large frame, the cylinder allowed for 6 shots. Produced from 1909 to 1941, the third model "Safety Automatic," continued I-J's trademark transfer bar, but introduced coil springs, a cylinder stop notch and was proofed for smokeless powder. This particular version, marketed as the ".32 Special," would have been made in the Twenties or Thirties.

Anyway, I think Iver Johnson was an innovative company in their day and attracted a number of talented Scandinavian machinists and designers to its ranks, including O.F. Mossberg and Andrew Fyrberg. Don't forget they made a well thought of bicycle then as well. It was a time when American workmen took pride in what they made.

Rayfan87 · #2 03-21-2018, 11:10 AM

I've got two old Iver Johnson top breaks, both are .38 S&W. One is a Safety Hammer that was made for BP, I believe a 5" barrel, nickled. The other is a Hammerless, 3", with about 0% nickle. I'm thinking about taking the hammerless to a restoration place and getting a quote. I know the gun is worth about what I paid so any money is more than it's worth, but I like it.

old tanker · #3 03-21-2018, 12:03 PM

It is great fun to load up .38 S&W cartridges with black powder and take my little Safety Hammerless to the range. Fifteen grains of Goex 3F pushes a 145 grain soft cast bullet about 680 fps. Easily pocketable, it's probably enough to leave a mark and you can escape behind the smoke.

It is fun to tease Glock guys when they notice the trigger safety and proclaim, "It's got a trigger like a Glock."

"No, the Glock has a trigger like an Iver Johnson," is my response as I point out my "steel" revolver was made in 1896, while, a hundred years later, his "plastic" pistol was, most likely, still two liter bottles.

MCorps0311 · #4 03-21-2018, 01:04 PM

I wish I had something in the Iver Johnson class! Those are special old tanker,I really like the snubie.

old tanker · #5 03-21-2018, 07:36 PM

A quick trip to the range after work. Here's three cylinders full at 25 yards on a 50 yard repair center. Six o'clock hold, two hands, standing. First dozen were single action, last six were double action and trail a bit to the left. The ammunition used was Fiocchi .32 S&W Long, 100 grain wadcutters. I'd call that acceptable for a fixed sight revolver.

Rayfan87 · #6 03-21-2018, 07:48 PM

Not bad for the old gun. I can't wait to get mine to the range