Iver Johnson experts?

[MorrisG]

I have this Iver Johnson double notch top break, 5 shot, free spinning cylinder, single leaf spring trigger, serial number G749XX, top barrel rib marked "IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS, FITCHBURG, MASS, USA PAT'D APR.6.86.FEB.15.87. AUG.25.96. PATS PENDING. All this and I still don't know if its a .32 or .38, or what year manufactured.

 

[Cyrano]

It's prior to 1909 when they had positive cylinder stops and four pins in the side of the frame. Bill Goforth's book on the IJ will have the serial number matched to the date. They're not marked as to the caliber; it's either 32 S&W (short) or 38 S&W. Try a round in the cylinder: if a 32 rattles in the chamber, it's a 38. If a 38 won't fit in the hole, it's a 32. Made for black powder; if you use smokeless, shoot it judiciously.

 

[MorrisG]

I've seen some descriptions of patent dates and serial number prefixes, but what confuses me is the prefix for my stamped patent dates should be F not G for an 1899. (Almost) No desire to fire it.

 

[alanfir]

Is there another patent date on the top of the barrel? If the patent date MAY10.87 is also there and it is a 38 S&W caliber gun it would date to 1898. I am not finding any 32 S&W caliber Iver Johnson top breaks that match your revolver.

 

[MorrisG]

No other patent dates listed, it does fit .38 so I'm going to call it a .38 not a .32. I know their value is low but a cool piece of history. Just like to know what I have

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

You have a 2nd model of Iver Johnson's large frame Safety Hammer Automatic revolver in 38 S&W caliber. IJ's serial number system is somewhat confusing but the G prefix designates a 38 S&W gun as did C, M, Q and T for other production years. The F prefix was one of many used for 32 caliber guns.
Goforth does not list the three patent date sequence seen on your revolver's barrel. He lists a minimum of four. Yours is missing the May 10, 87 patent date. But the serial number suggests it is a third variation from either 1889 or 1902. I suppose all that is open to discussion as I may have missed something in Goforth's book.
I like the old Iver Johnson top breaks and have a couple of the 32s. But I don't shoot them. My only IJ shooter is a more modern 22 top break from the 1950s. It shoots as well as my K22s.

John

 

[alanfir]

Timetripper, I think you mean 1898 or 1902 for the possible dates for the G prefix. The 1902 version has the patent dates on the left side of the barrel so the 1898 date would seem correct.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Timetripper, I think you mean 1898 or 1902 for the possible dates for the G prefix. The 1902 version has the patent dates on the left side of the barrel so the 1898 date would seem correct.

From Goforth:

1898 G00001 - G50000 50000 made, Second variation with 4 patent dates on barrel top
1899 G00001 - G100000 50000 made, 3rd variation with 5 patent dates on barrel top
1902 G00001 -G100000 10000 made, 3rd variation with 5 patent dates on barrel top
The 1903 4th variation had the patent dates on the side of the barrel and an I prefix.

It's confusing Alan.
I'm not sure if it can be pinned down any closer to those three dates.
We can safely say the the OPs revolver come from the 1898-1902 time period. Now, if that G is actually a misread C...

John

 

[MorrisG]

So is that considered an 1898 model 2, second variation safety hammer?
Thanks for the information, its good to just know what you have.

 

[MorrisG]

It's marked with an obvious G but good question

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

So is that considered an 1898 model 2, second variation safety hammer?

That's about it, but it is also a large frame model. The small frame models were the 32 caliber guns.

John