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HELP b.goforth - Possible Iver Johnson?

andrewsw16
I have been trying to identify an old revolver. Nickle plated, simple trigger without trigger guard, like on a Deringer. Top strap is marked: INVINCIBLE
The barrel top is marked: pat. Dec 10, 78

It is a very close match to the Iver Johnson FAVORITE No.2 displayed at the web site:

http://iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com/NewItems.Htm

other than the markings and a strange cut in the bottom of the frame just in front of the cylinder. Here are a couple of pictures:

869-L-2_L.jpg

869-L-2_R.jpg

I would appreciate any help in identifying the make, model, and probable manufacture date. Also, can anyone identify the reason for the slot the you can see in front of the cylinder?
Thanks.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • bigbossman
    The slot cut into the bottom of the frame should contain a flat, spring-loaded lever that you would push in at the bottom on the side with a finger tip. The other end of the flat lever fit into a slot on the center rod that the cylinder rides on and kept it in place.
    To remove the cylinder you held the bottom of the lever pushed in and pulled the center rod with your other hand to clean or disassemble the gun.

    Yours is missing this locking device, so DON'T EVEN THINK about firing it.

    Mine was an old "Blue Jacket #2 - Pat 1871" as it said on the top.
    I actually fired mine a few times, using CB caps or that powderless
    Collibri "indoor gallery" ammo. It's just primer - no powder. The slugs were so weak that they actually bounced off of the bottom of an old cooking pot, but it was fun..

    You may be able to find the locking lever and tiny spring and pivot pin / screw from somebody who strips old guns at a gun show, but it's a long shot.

    God Bless...........
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  • b.goforth
    Invincible was a name use by iver johnson on defender type firearms but my also have been used by others as well. the strange cut at the bottom of the frame is undoubtly some type of cylinder retainer but not the one found on the blue jacket made by hopkins & allen. the dec. 10,1878 patent date may be one issued to thomas bacon, i do have a list that shows one patent on that date issued to him. i will check to see what it was issued for.

    i will get back to you after i check out the patent.
    bill
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  • andrewsw16
    Thanks a lot guys. The idea of a mechanism for releasing the cylinder pin makes sense as an explanation for that slot.
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  • b.goforth
    the patent assigned to one of the thomas bacon companies is number 210725 dated 12-10-1878 and issued to A.L. Sweet for a spur trigger revolver. while i was looking up this patent i experenced a malfunction of my computer so i was not able to call up the patent and tell just what it covered.

    i will keep trying to call up the patent.
    bill
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  • hrf
    A closed auction on another site shows an identical gun marked Conqueror, with this description:

    "Here is an old 5 shot spur trigger revolver in 32 rimfire caliber. Top strap is marked "CONQUEROR" and the barrel has the 1878 patent date. The Conqueror series of pistols were made under the A L Sweet patents by the Bacon Manufacturing Co. in Norwich, CT."
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  • andrewsw16
    Thanks guys. That Conqueror is close, but not 100%. They have different ejector rods, smooth cylinder vs fluted, the locking cuts in the cylinder are different, and the frame just in front of the cylinder is contoured on one and flat on the other, and there is an extra cross pin just in front of the trigger hinge pin. But they are definitely first cousins. It will be interesting to confirm the patent information. FYI, I volunteered to help the lady who is the curator for our small county museum. She needed help with identifying a large collection of guns she has accumulated and wants to put on display as examples of 19th Century models. I was able to identify all but about a half dozen. I'll be posting those on this forum too. Some are pretty plain jane, and some are intriguing. I really appreciate the wide range of expertise that is on this forum.
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