

Hmmm, based on the extra data on the American Firearms site (see next reply thanks Bucky B!), that makes Roy's gun a First model.
IVER JOHNSON TOP BREAK REVOLVER CALIBER SERIAL NUMBER
And, to nail YOUR year of manufacture down, you need to get the letter from the front of the serial number under the top strap (pull cylinder off) or on the left side of grip strap (pull grips off) Letter is probably an A, E, or F, for 1897, 1898, and 1899, respectively. Is that date pretty well polished out? Your markings would make it a second model, almost certainly. Hmmm, Roy, that last date on the patents is not one that matches Goforth's docs for any of the 2nd or 3rd model small frame guns. PAT'D APR 6 86 FEB 15 87 MAY 10 87 DEC 26 93 PAT"S PENDING IVER JOHNSON ARMS & CYCLE WORKS FITCHBURG MASS. The text at the top of the the 3" round barrel reads: The SN is 79090 which is located at the bottom of the grip frame. The owl faces down an toward the trigger. My Nickel Plated IJ Pocket Pistol has the exposed hammer and it has the 2 cross pins as you mentioned. We'll likely use your further info to get the model right and the year of manufacturing. The definitive book on the IJ guns is "Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993" by W. Third model have 4 cross pins along the lower edge of the frame. A third model faces the owl down and back toward the grip.įirst and second model IJ small frame revolvers have only two cross pins visible at the bottom edge of frame below the cylinder.

Report all patent dates and the text of the lettering.Ī first and second model IJ factory-original grip has the owl facing forward and down toward the trigger. Unusual for patent dates not to be present there and sometimes on the butt, too. Look at the top rib of the barrel again, and check for any patent dates that may be present.
IVER JOHNSON TOP BREAK REVOLVER CALIBER FULL
Remove grips from frame and look for full serial number on the frame, too. Are you saying there is an H at the front of the serial number? Have you excluded any letter that you might have thought was not part of the number? Please also check for a complete serial number under the top strap (open the action, remove the cylinder). 32 caliber I believe have a letter in the front of the full serial number, but the number on the butt may omit the letter. Most Iver Johnson's small frame top-breaks in.
