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)
Oh yeah, the numbers are located under the left grip. Thanks again!
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.
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!
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.
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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Oh yeah, the numbers are located under the left grip. Thanks again!
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.
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!
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.
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
Post an Answer