I have two old top-breaks that I know very little about. I'd love to know proper nomenclature, model number, and manufacture/shipping dates. The first is an H&R hammerless 5-shot 38 S&W. It has a 4-inch barrel and is nickel plated. SN is 208XX. The other is an Iver Johnson 5-shot 32 S&W with a 3-inch barrel. SN is G 282XX. I'd appreciate any help or leads anyone could give me.

If the IJ is a double action model with a hammer, it dates to around 1917. Can't help with the H&R but if it doesn't have rectangular stop niyches on the cylinder, it most likely dates to before 1910.

John

Thanks, John! The Iver Johnson is a DA with an exposed hammer. The H&R does have the newer cylinder notches.

The H&R hammerless is a large frame first model with a manfacture date of 1900.

Thank you alanfir. I am really impressed that the H&R is so old. Its nickel plate finish is almost perfect. If it was refinished at some point, they sure did a superb job.

Old nickel plated guns of any age should not be cleaned with solvents like Hoppe's #9. Hot soapy water, dry and oil, is best and cheapest.

Also if you are shooting any pre WWII ammo of any kind, Hot soapy water is best for the mercury and chlorine based primers!

Ivan

I have a top break I just acquired. It’s a US Revolver Co, 38 S&W. Nickel finish. Serial # 612. I know it was made by Iver Johnson. Any info on date of manufacture or any other info would be appreciated. All three serial numbers match.

The manufacture date is 1910. These revolvers were only sold by mail order houses. The U.S. Revolver does not have the Iver Johnson safety hammer feature.

Thanks alanfir. So can I shoot it? Black powder ammo only? I’ve heard the early US Revolver IJ’s can only be shot with black
powder loads.....

If the revolver has no mechanical or safety issues, modern factory smokeless cartridges are considered safe to use in these revolvers. Some people disagree and will only shoot black powder ammo in their guns of this type.