Help with ID

Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
10
Reaction score
3
Location
Nevada
I picked up this little pistol the other week. It chambers 38S&W. I have found video on some that look close - but no cigar. She shoots very nice. What model # is she? What year? Also I would like a video on how to take her apart. Don't want to start punching out pins until I know what she look like inside. I did get her clean/lubed but she needs the 100 year cleaning. Thanks for the help. The info I do have is in the first picture. 3 1/4" barrel.
 

Attachments

  • BREAK TOP 3 008.jpg
    BREAK TOP 3 008.jpg
    190.1 KB · Views: 63
  • BREAK TOP 3 017.jpg
    BREAK TOP 3 017.jpg
    181.4 KB · Views: 51
  • BREAK TOP 3 042.jpg
    BREAK TOP 3 042.jpg
    66.8 KB · Views: 50
  • BREAK TOP 3 051.jpg
    BREAK TOP 3 051.jpg
    90.3 KB · Views: 49
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
US Revolver Company was a trade name used by the Iver Johnson company. It was a less expensive line they offered (primarily through mail order) starting in 1911. Reportedly they began by using up left over "Old Model" parts with the introduction of the "New Model" Iver Johnson top break revolvers. They sold well and remained in the product line into the 1930's with the various versions slowly fading out and a final cleanup of production @ the start of WWII. They also offered the brand on versions of the solid frame revolvers that were based on the IJ Model 1900 design.

The US top breaks do NOT have the Iver Johnson transfer bar safety system and should have an empty chamber under the hammer for safety if carried. They also lack the positive cylinder lock of the New Models so the cylinder will freewheel when the hammer is down. The internal design is simple, identical to the earlier IJ Old Model except for the transfer bar parts. All springs are leaf springs, the most common failure I've seen is a weak or broken trigger return spring. Takedown isn't hard but a slave pin is required to get the sear bar reinstalled easily. You might be able to find an exploded view on line, perhaps at Gunparts Co. I went on an IJ collecting jag some years ago and they really aren't very complicated. They were a decent, inexpensive revolver in their day, many were used hard and worn out but it's not uncommon to find one that spent most of it's life in someones sock drawer. They can be fun little guns to plink with.
 
Thanks. I can tell it was a lower price gun. There are sharp edges that can cut you. They would have been finished on a better gun. Also the hinge was VERY tight. Not dirt or lube but never fitted right. Just spent a hour stoning the burs off the flats. She is smooth now. The latch was very hard to open. Again I stoned the flats and found that the spring hole for the latch and plunger was never polished and the spring would hang up on the rough spots. -- I have been looking but have not found date info yet. The year code is "D". --- Most times I don't believe in restoration on old stuff. Just preservation. She cost very little and is ugly. From a collector point of view is there any point in keeping her "as is" or can I play with it? Again thanks.
 
To put into modern perspective of market position , the Iver Johnson. would be equivalent to a Mossberg , and the US Revolver Co a parallel to Mossberg's Maverick line .
 

Latest posts

Back
Top