Old US Revolver

[harleygeorge]

I was given an old U.S. Revolver in .38 S&W caliber. It was missing the sear spring, trigger spring, and grips. Luckily Numrich Corp. had the parts needed. After a thorough cleaning, and reassembly it functions fine. I purchased some ammo for it, and it shoots great. All I can find on it as far as serial number or whatever is 1907 on the bottom of the trigger guard, and under the grip is 1907 also. It has a 5" barrel. It is a top break. I know these were made by Iver-Johnson. Is that number the year made?

George Romagno

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Sorry can't help with your questions but sounds like a neat revolver.

 

[Cyrano]

The serial number, usually five numbers and a letter is on the frame under the left grip. A five inch barrel (not counting the length of the cylinder) is somewhat rare, most were around 3 1/2". They date from after 1909 when IJ redesigned their revolver. They are usually considered safe for black powder so shoot smokeless in it sparingly.

 

[Absalom]

As Cyrano says, I would be careful with modern loads. According to common (but so far, at least on my part, unconfirmed) wisdom on this it appears that the economy line of "US Revolvers" was created by Iver Johnson to use up an extensive stock of black-powder frames and parts after they switched their main Iver-Johnson-labeled product line to smokeless powder proofed strength. One reads this frequently, although I can't cite authoritative sources.

 

[DWalt]

"...it appears that the economy line of "US Revolvers" was created by Iver Johnson to use up an extensive stock of black-powder frames and parts after they switched their main Iver-Johnson-labeled product line to smokeless powder proofed strength."

True enough that US Revolvers were made by IJ, but that's the first time I have seen any indication about their having a Black Powder frame. Back in the early part of the century, I'd think the frame manufacture and materials would be the same for all IJ-manufactured revolvers.

I really don't know if the US brand was intended as an economy grade of IJ, or if they were made under orders from some other customer who sold them. I'd always understood the latter.

 

[Absalom]

True enough that US Revolvers were made by IJ, but that's the first time I have seen any indication about their having a Black Powder frame. Back in the early part of the century, I'd think the frame manufacture and materials would be the same for all IJ-manufactured revolvers.

I really don't know if the US brand was intended as an economy grade of IJ, or if they were made under orders from some other customer who sold them. I'd always understood the latter.

The source for this may or may not be the late Bill Goforth, who was for Iver Johnson what Roy Jinks is for S&W, albeit unofficially. There may be more on this in his book on IJ, although I don't have that since I don't collect IJ's, I just have one type specimen. The standard info on this over on the Firearms Forum, where the experts constantly get questions about IJ and US revolvers, is that in 1909 IJ redesigned their frame to smokeless specs and created the US line to use up the BP parts; the US revolver line was only sold mail-order. It was supposed to be a temporary expedient but proved to be so popular that they continued production with new parts (presumably from that point on smokeless-safe) until 1936.

 

[Cyrano]

Absalom has the history down pat. But I think the old metallurgy was retained in the US Revolver Co arms to the end, although I've been too lazy to check Goforth on this.

 

[alanfir]

Your revolver was made in 1910. The US Revolver top break was designed to use up Iver Johnson parts when Iver Johnson went to the safety hammer design. The US Revolver was only sold through mail order houses. All of this information is from Bill Goforth's Iver Johnson book.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Besides using up parts from their older black powder designs, the U.S. Revolver pistols did not have the IJ "hammer the hammer" action, which is know now as the transfer bar safety. That was another way to save a bit of money. I think around 1910 an IJ sold for $6.00 and a U.S. Revolver sold for $5.50.

I have a top break hammerless model in 32 S&W. The thing about the hammerless ones is they use an odd 2 piece internal hammer, instead of the one piece used with the transfer bar system.

They are an interesting piece of history.

 

[harleygeorge]

US Revolver

Your revolver was made in 1910. The US Revolver top break was designed to use up Iver Johnson parts when Iver Johnson went to the safety hammer design. The US Revolver was only sold through mail order houses. All of this information is from Bill Goforth's Iver Johnson book.

Thanks alanfir. I appreciate the information. After re-assembly I put 5 rounds of factory ammo through it. It shoots pretty darn good. Thanks again. Harleygeorge

 

[BC38]

COOL!
Good for you man!
I think it's awesome that you went to the trouble to source the parts and repair this old gun. Too many folks wouldn't bother since it's not a S&W or Colt or something.
We need some photos though