Dating My Iver Johnsons

[Coal Creek Griff]

Just don't try dating my daughters or you might meet my Iver Johnsons .

Can anyone help me get at least an approximate date for a couple of Iver Johnson top-breaks that showed up at my house?

Both are .32 S&W double-action revolvers.

The first is a 1st model with a nickel finish and a 3" barrel.  The serial number is 19102.  It is in poor condition and will only be displayed.

The second one is a 3rd model with a blued finish and a 4" barrel.  The serial number is A36424.  It is in amazing condition.  A coworker recently had a family member that "just wanted it gone.  Period."  No one else in the family wanted it and he thought of me.  Once I wiped the dust out of the barrel and saw the mirror finish, I disassembled it and cleaned off the old grease.  The color case hardening on many of the internal parts as well as the trigger and hammer just jumped out.  It was probably fired at some time, but you'd never know it.  It is absolutely pristine inside.  The finish shows pocket or holster wear, but it is absolutely tight otherwise.  I probably won't shoot it much, but I did buy an antique Ideal combination tool so I can at least load up some ammo and give it a go (now just to find some brass...).

If someone has access to any serial number records, I'd appreciate knowing when these two guns were put together.

Thanks!

CC Griff

[Books OToole]

The book you need to refer to is by Goforth.  I don't have mine here but I should be able to date the one with the A prefix.  Prior to the letter prefixes they would churn out about 100000 a year and start over the next year.  So those are nearly impossible to get a precise date.

Books

[Coal Creek Griff]

That would be great, if you get a chance!  It isn't essential that I find out,  of course, but it's a cool little gun and I'm curious.

CC Griff

[Advertising]

[Coal Creek Griff]

I managed to come up with 5 rounds of brass. I cast up a bunch of bullets using my antique Ideal No. 1 tool and they came out great.  I loaded up my 5 cases using the tool, which functioned perfectly.  Then my Iver Johnson 3rd model shot perfectly, the quiet little pops and nonexistent recoil making me feel like I was shooting an air gun.  Then it was back to the shop to load the brass again. I'll be glad when 32 S&W brass becomes available again. I still don't plan to shoot the gun very much, but maybe more than I originally thought.

CC Griff

[Blackpowder Burn]

Can you cut down 32 S&W Long brass to make it?  If so, Starline has that available now.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Yes, I believe you can, but I'm going to give it some time and see if the correct brass comes in.  I may decide to trim down a bunch of long brass eventually.

Thanks.

CC Griff

[Coal Creek Griff]

If anyone has access to the Iver Johnson serial number records, I'd appreciate knowing the approximate dates for my revolver(s).

Thanks!

CC Griff

[Drydock]

http://www.american-firearms.com/american-firearms/z-html/company-I/Iver%20Johnson's%20Arms%20&%20Cycle%20Works/Iver%20Johnson's%20Arms%20&%20Cycle%20Works.html


Theres some useful information for the 1st and 2nd models, the thirds ran for nearly 40 years, very hard to date.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Thank you, sir.  I appreciate the link.

CC Griff

[Books OToole]

With the Iver Johnson book (by W. E. Goforth) in my lap, I can state with some authority that serial number A36424* was manufactured in 1911.

Books



* A Small frame safety hammer automatic revolver centerfire, third model .32. (1909-1941) 

[Coal Creek Griff]

With the Iver Johnson book (by W. E. Goforth) in my lap, I can state with some authority that serial number A36424* was manufactured in 1911.

Books



* A Small frame safety hammer automatic revolver centerfire, third model .32. (1909-1941) 

Excellent!  Thanks for the help!

CC Griff

[Montana Slim]

...and here I was expecting an old-fashioned "Love Story" .

 

Slim

[Coal Creek Griff]

That would have been "courting" my Iver Johnsons. 

CC Griff