On Father's Day, yesterday, my father gave to me my great-grandfather's Iver Johnson 38 caliber 5-shot black powder ammo top-break revolver which was made in 1895 (serial # 23292). My great-grandfather was born in 1869 and purchased this gun at the age of 27, in 1896 - the same year his son, my grandfather, was born. Great-grandfather died in 1951 at the age of 82. 1951 was also the same year my father was born. On the top of the barrel: IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS, FITCHBURG MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D APR. 6, 86, FEB. 15, 87, MAY 10, 87, DEC. 26, 93, PAT'S PENDING The only other marking on the gun is the serial number found at the butt of the handle, which is unusual for these guns as they also had the serial number on the trigger guard and/or on the handle frame under one of the grips. Very proud to now be the owner of this.
Wow, If only it was made by Gillette That is a stunning gift, and with family history thrown in priceless
great gift, Jody. It's nice to have something like that that has been in the family so long. Congrats!
Thanks y'all! I knew my dad had it but it was very unexpected for him to give it to me. Things of this nature usually go to my younger brother... for some reason. So it was a very nice surprise. It looks good in the display cabinet amongst all of the Gillette razors.
I bet it looks splendid....lets see a photo of the shelf with the Iver-Johnson.....I've always been a big fan of the S&W Schofield type revolvers....Wonderful designs....And yours having all this family history....and a lovely pocket-piece it is too....Congratulations my friend....
I know futhest thing from your mind but, just in case http://www.buffaloarms.com/.36_.41_caliber_black_powder_ammunition_pr-4442.aspx
Jody, that is a very nice piece of history with both the gun itself and the family connections! Enjoy it!
Nice gift Jody, It's great getting something with a family history like that and it looks like it's been well cared for.
Yes, it's 38 S&W. Just can't seem to find any in black powder. The few listings I've found are out of stock.
if your gun was made for 38 S&W you can also shoot 38 short colt but it it is a short colt gun you cannot shoot the S&W cartrage in it. The .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Special and .357 Magnum share a common case and rim diameter (rim = .440. case = .379, bullet = .358) The .38 S&W has an entirely different set of dimensions: ( Rim = .443, case = .386, bullet = .360). You can safely fire .38 Short Colt in revolvers chambered for .38 Long Colt, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum. It is unlikely anything serious would happen if you fired a .38 Short Colt in a .38 S&W revolver, but it is possible the case could rupture in the oversized chamber. There was a cartridge called the .38 Colt New Police (or .38 N.P.) that was the same as the .38 S&W, but I don't believe it's been manufactured since World War Two In any case, .38 Short Colt ammunition is dificult to find, and more expensive then .38 S&W. Your gun is a hammerless 2nd model Iver Johnson Safety Automatic...with the safety in the trigger...looks like you have 3rd model grips....It is for Black Powder only....Stick with the Cowboy Loads...Any modern 38 S&W still in production should be for 'Cowboy Action" shooting...therefore the Black Powder pressures will be maintained, even if its not black powder...and therefore safe to shoot...If your revolver is in safe mechanical condition it can be shot with new factory smokeless ammunition...but get a gunsmith to go over it before firing...we wouldn't want anything to happen to you... Hope this helps...http://ammoseek.com/?gun=handgun&cal=26 Not B-P but diffenately safe...Fac. Cowboy Loads:http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/60300242-1.html Now might be a good time to get into Re-loading....
