Early Iver Johnson Revolver?

[Keith123]

Found this revolver in the CT woods a couple of months ago. Recently it has undergone electrolysis and wax. Details: the cal is between .32 - .38". The cal seems to bouncing around cause of the corrosion, but didn't want to leave it in electrolysis any longer for fear of losing the trigger and what is left of the front sight. The hexagonal barrel is 5". The grips are in good condition and show a clear image of an Owl. I would like to get a positive ID on the make, model, and approximate date of manufacturing. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[White Feather]

This info might help. I saw it on a website called "The truth About Guns" in an article by Don Gammillo Jr Dated; March 20, 2010. I noticed that your gun does not appear to be the breakdown model that is hinged at the front of the frame so it is possibly a little older. It is an Iver Johnson and I think it may be around 1880. The one I had did not have the exposed hammer and was called a pocket pistol and was used by a lot of gamblers because there was no hammer to hang on the pocket when drawn.

Gun info; although not this exact gun, it is very close and will give you a starting point.

Caliber, 32 Smith & Wesson Short
4.12" length
13.5 oz. weight
3" barrel
5 round cylinder
3,25" height
smooth trigger
1897 to 1920 price about $4.50 to $6.00
Depending on condition, current value $100 to $300

I hope this helps.
WF

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Model 1900. Yours has a five shot .32 S&W cylinder that is removed by sliding the pin out and dropping the whole cylinder out.

Iver Johnson Model 1900 .32 S&W Nickel Double Action Revolver, C&R For Sale at GunAuction.com - 13069196

 

[NOLA_Ken]

The date range for your pistol is going to be from 1900 to 1947. It'll be hard to get any closer than that without a serial number.. I think there should be a serial number under the grips, it's up to how brave you are whether you want to take them off or not, but they will be very brittle, and easy to break, so be really careful if you do.

 

[Rmeav8r]

I had a very similar .32 Iver Johnson, their actually very solid handguns. Also known as "Owl Head" pistols.

Nice find!

Joe

 

[Keith123]

That defiantly looks like it. Went over the whole gun with a jewelers loupe and was able to make out an S and 190 etched on the top part of the gun, just above the cylinder.

 

[Keith123]

Nola_Ken
I read that somewhere else but decided to take the advice you gave on my last pistol post. Don't think I wanna chance ruining the grips to see the serial #. Thank you for the advice, you have helped me out a number of times!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

By the way, great job on the preservation! It looks great!

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

There might not be a serial number under the grips so don't risk it. I know because I found one just like it (not dug).

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Charlie, I seem to remember the serial being under the grip on the third model? Didn't the first model 1900 have it on the trigger guard?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I thought it was the IJ in the above image that had none - at least that I could find. It's been some time since I sold them and that presented a problem. The break-top H&R had one on the frame butt.

I sold these two for $60 each at one of those silly "feel good" gun buys. Neither was functional and the only reason the H&R worked was because I had temporarily secured the broken pawl and spring with JB Paste. The timing was off on the IJ and it spit lead and was an awful thing to shoot so I did the good citizen thing and "surrendered" them at a buy-back. Use up some of the anti's loot on two dysfunctional pieces. A police officer checked them over and if they were functional they were worth $60 each.

I wanted to cry seeing what people were turning in to be destroyed - Colts, Rugers, Walther and Luger (war trophys). I tried quietly to buy a P-38 from a woman in line ahead of me but I think she was "motivated" to save the world from that pistol. I wonder if any went home with that policeman that was checking them for cartridges and function. ;-)