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Q:
My Father gave me a Iver Johnsons Pistol. I cant find any info on dating it by the serial numbers and was hoping somebody could give me a hand. Its a 32 cal. and the prefix before the serial# is either an M or an H fallowed by 46 256. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Fellas!

Question by txtrapper. Uploaded on December 26, 2011

Answers (5)

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from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 4 days ago

Oh yeah, the numbers are located under the left grip. Thanks again!

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from JamesD wrote 21 weeks 3 days ago

You need to provide more information about the pistol. Is it a hammerless revolver or a top brake 5 shot? What type of grips? All I can tell you with the limited information provided is that if the letter M precedes the serial number this indicates that it's a target pistol. The letter H could mean that it was manufactured between 1915 and 1941 but without more information it's hard to tell. I wish I could be of more help.

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from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

Its a top break hammerless, small frame with a 3 inch barrel, ands its a 5 shot. It has a flat hammer spring. The grips are in bad shape so i cant really tell which way the owl is looking. It was chrome plated but time kinda took care of that.lol! I'm refinishing it for a conversation piece. Suprisingly other than worn grips and chrome plating its in very good condition. I have been all over the web and for some reason I cant find out any info on this little piece. Thanks man! God bless and good luck!

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from JamesD wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

Thank you for the additional information. The 3" barrel tells me that the letter preceding your serial number is the letter H which means that it's not a target revolver. Iver Johnson began stamping letters preceding the numbers in around 1903. The letter H designated this to be a small frame top brake hammerless .32 cal as you already know. The company manufactured about 3000 to 4000 of these revolvers a year and given your serial numbers and the flat hammer spring which they began to change to a coil type in 1915 I would estimate that your gun was manufactured sometime between 1914 and 1916. To restore this gun for a conversation piece is a great idea I would not recommend trying to fire modern ammo from this gun. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

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from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

I rigged up a firing devise and fired a couple toned down rounds through it. It is in excellent condition and didn't show any signs of stress on the cylinder or barrel. If it was a rust bucket I wouldnt have tried to fire it but curiosity got the better of me on this project. I wasnt going to hold it and attempt to fire it by any means though! I have been searching for some blackpowder rounds but i imagine I will be reloading my own. Thank you for the info! Good Luck and God bless

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from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 4 days ago

Oh yeah, the numbers are located under the left grip. Thanks again!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from JamesD wrote 21 weeks 3 days ago

You need to provide more information about the pistol. Is it a hammerless revolver or a top brake 5 shot? What type of grips? All I can tell you with the limited information provided is that if the letter M precedes the serial number this indicates that it's a target pistol. The letter H could mean that it was manufactured between 1915 and 1941 but without more information it's hard to tell. I wish I could be of more help.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

Its a top break hammerless, small frame with a 3 inch barrel, ands its a 5 shot. It has a flat hammer spring. The grips are in bad shape so i cant really tell which way the owl is looking. It was chrome plated but time kinda took care of that.lol! I'm refinishing it for a conversation piece. Suprisingly other than worn grips and chrome plating its in very good condition. I have been all over the web and for some reason I cant find out any info on this little piece. Thanks man! God bless and good luck!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from JamesD wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

Thank you for the additional information. The 3" barrel tells me that the letter preceding your serial number is the letter H which means that it's not a target revolver. Iver Johnson began stamping letters preceding the numbers in around 1903. The letter H designated this to be a small frame top brake hammerless .32 cal as you already know. The company manufactured about 3000 to 4000 of these revolvers a year and given your serial numbers and the flat hammer spring which they began to change to a coil type in 1915 I would estimate that your gun was manufactured sometime between 1914 and 1916. To restore this gun for a conversation piece is a great idea I would not recommend trying to fire modern ammo from this gun. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from txtrapper wrote 21 weeks 2 days ago

I rigged up a firing devise and fired a couple toned down rounds through it. It is in excellent condition and didn't show any signs of stress on the cylinder or barrel. If it was a rust bucket I wouldnt have tried to fire it but curiosity got the better of me on this project. I wasnt going to hold it and attempt to fire it by any means though! I have been searching for some blackpowder rounds but i imagine I will be reloading my own. Thank you for the info! Good Luck and God bless

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Post an Answer

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