old tanker
Member
Yet another third model Iver Johnson. This large frame safety hammerless dates to 1929. Six rounds of S&W .32 Long.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have several top break revolvers in hammer and hammerless versions. In my early 20 that was all I could afford. 32 long or short and 38 S&W. Never found a 22 for sale!
I have a first model hammerless 38S&W Owl's head, that in the early 1920's an crippled old deputy (Wood County Ohio) gave my dad's dad for taking care of him.
When the depression hit, it wiped my family out! My dad can remember a winter day in February 1937 (dad was 5), a rabbit was sitting under the Black Walnut tree in the back yard of the house in Linworth, Ohio and grandpa took careful aim and fire 1 shot. The rabbit provided meat and soup for a family living on: One piece of white bread, and 3 walnuts a day (per person)
About 12 years ago I talked Dad out of grandpa's gun, I traded 2 boxes of Remington 32 ACP fmj for it. At Thanksgiving, I start the meal with a plate passed around, on it is 1 piece of white bread, and a small matchbox with the meat of 3 walnuts in it. Then we give thanks for how God has seen us through, and a reminder to always help strangers in need, for God will repay the kindness.
By the way, when I got the revolver from dad, he gave me the ammo for it. (in the gun were 4 rounds) which I returned to the other 45 of their brethren. My family has only fired on shot from that gun. The Remington box is tied shut with dental floss, and written on it in grandpa's beautiful script it is dated the day he bought the ammo April 1927, and the price $2.38. This to me is a priceless heirloom that will never be sold. My dad was second son, as am I, so I imagine it belongs to my second son.
Ivan
I have a first model hammerless 38S&W Owl's head, that in the early 1920's an crippled old deputy (Wood County Ohio) gave my dad's dad for taking care of him.
When the depression hit, it wiped my family out! My dad can remember a winter day in February 1937 (dad was 5), a rabbit was sitting under the Black Walnut tree in the back yard of the house in Linworth, Ohio and grandpa took careful aim and fire 1 shot. The rabbit provided meat and soup for a family living on: One piece of white bread, and 3 walnuts a day (per person)
About 12 years ago I talked Dad out of grandpa's gun, I traded 2 boxes of Remington 32 ACP fmj for it. At Thanksgiving, I start the meal with a plate passed around, on it is 1 piece of white bread, and a small matchbox with the meat of 3 walnuts in it. Then we give thanks for how God has seen us through, and a reminder to always help strangers in need, for God will repay the kindness.
By the way, when I got the revolver from dad, he gave me the ammo for it. (in the gun were 4 rounds) which I returned to the other 45 of their brethren. My family has only fired on shot from that gun. The Remington box is tied shut with dental floss, and written on it in grandpa's beautiful script it is dated the day he bought the ammo April 1927, and the price $2.38. This to me is a priceless heirloom that will never be sold. My dad was second son, as am I, so I imagine it belongs to my second son.
Ivan
No revolvers but I’ve accumulated some Iver Johnson marked holsters over the years.
Regards,
turnerriver
Regards,
turnerriver
Tubbsy
Member
My grandpa had a 7 shot 22 supershot that was the first handgun i ever fired, loved it, grandmother still has it, been hinting I'd like to have it for a while now.
Thats a fine looking .32 you picked up there.
Thats a fine looking .32 you picked up there.
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Well, as much as I appreciate the old IJ revolvers, I cannot see a picture in your post - apparently others can.
Although not quite the quality of S&W, they were affordable pocket guns for the average person.
Here's an Iver Johnson "Safety Cycle Automatic Revolver" with a 2" barrel. It would probably fit quite nicely in one of Turnerriver's pocket holsters above.
Although not quite the quality of S&W, they were affordable pocket guns for the average person.
Here's an Iver Johnson "Safety Cycle Automatic Revolver" with a 2" barrel. It would probably fit quite nicely in one of Turnerriver's pocket holsters above.
Attachments
The only revolver I have actually seen blow up.
I also learned a valuable lesson as a very young man—38 S&W is not the same as 38 Special! The gentleman who reloaded the rounds got off a page or so in his reloading manual.
I also learned a valuable lesson as a very young man—38 S&W is not the same as 38 Special! The gentleman who reloaded the rounds got off a page or so in his reloading manual.
That is a lovely revolver. I like the Iver Johnsons myself, an inexpensive working mans gun in it's day. They were often innovative coming up with things like the transfer bar safety in the 1890's and an all wire spring action on the their third model top breaks (in 1909!). I have collected them off and on for years. Can still find some nice ones out there and many times at reasonable prices
gman51
Member
I think the owl flew the tree. I don't see a pic either.
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OP
old tanker
Member
Great story, Ivan, and admirable — so true — sentiment.
I have quite a few IJs in my collection. My favorite is a 1st model Safety Hammer in 38 S&W that I was able to purchase from a member here. It has the side latch release and the push button cylinder release, serial number 773. I have the Bill Goforth book on Iver Johnson and he lists in his book that he had yet to see this model and thought there might have been 1,000 made. I wish Bill was still alive so I could get in contact with him about this pistol, but he passed away in 2012 and I didn't pick up this pistol until 2017.
Really like "duck32man" and his IJ with the Knuckleduster accessory!
Really like "duck32man" and his IJ with the Knuckleduster accessory!
I corresponded with Bill Goforth a few times. At the time of his death he was working on a companion book on the H&R revolvers. Fortunately it was far enough along that the book was published posthumously. At his request I sent him some photos of an odd configured H&R I have but never checked to see if they were used or not.
gregintenn
Member
I once bought an Iver Johnson 32 revolver for $30. As I paid for it, the guy selling pulled a handful of 32 ACP ammo from his pocket and said "here, these go with it."
The trigger feels like the mainspring came from a bear trap.
The trigger feels like the mainspring came from a bear trap.
rjm6120
Member
My dad has a couple Iver Johnson owl heads, which are in .38 S&W caliber, I believe. He hasn't shown them to me in awhile, but I know in due time they will be passed down to me.
Tubbsy
Member
My grandpa's 7 shot .22 supershot, just picked it up today.
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