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Info on US Revolver

scurry111
My Grandfather recently passed on an old 5 shot, top break revolver to myself. It has US Revolver Co. on top of barrel and the numbers "172" under grip on the left side of the pistol. I know it is a .38 caliber. I'm curious on the manufactor date, and possible value.
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    It was a Trade Name used by Iver Johnson on their economy line of revolvers, made for sale by stores who sold inexpensive personal protection handguns.

    Some of our members are long time collectors and experts on the Iver Johnson handguns. If you could post quality photos of the revolver perhaps they could help you with the age and value of the revolver.
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  • Fatstrat
    I'm no expert on these, but I believe there is a chance that the revolver may be unsafe to fire w/modern ammunition.
    Some of these old Top break pistols were in production before modern smokeless powders were used. And are safe for black powder loads only.
    After the introduction of modern powders, the guns were upgraded to use them. But are very similiar in appearence to the old BP models.
    Make sure you find out what you have before you attempt to fire it.
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  • b.goforth
    large frame 38 S&W caliber u.s. revolver co. automatic (top break) serial number 172 (no letter code on left side of grip frame) was manufactured in 1910.

    U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMER
    1910-1935
    LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; This is a Brand name revolver manufactured by Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works to be sold through the wholesale trade. It was never listed in any Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works catalog, although it was listed in some European catalogs as original Iver Johnson products. Does not have Hammer the Hammer action and relies on a safety notch on the hammer. Hard rubber grip panels with U S at the top, large oversize two piece hard rubber grips were optional. Two frame sizes and three calibers were offered. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ? inches; Calibers: large frame 38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, small frame .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity Weight: small frame .22 rimfire 12 ounces, small frame .32 centerfire 12 ? ounces, large frame .38 centerfire 17 _ ounces; Height: small frame 3 _ inches, large frame 3 7/8 inches; Frame length: small frame 4 3/16 inches, large frame 5 inches; Overall length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ? inches 7 3/8 inches. Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
    VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$105

    U.S. REVOLVER CO. AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS
    1910-1935
    LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME DOES NOT HAVE HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION; Brand name revolver manufactured by Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works for the wholesale trade. This revolver does not have Hammer the Hammer action, but it does have a rebounding hammer that the hammer version does not. Blue or nickel finishes were offered. Offered in two frame sizes and two calibers only. Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ? inches; Calibers: small frame .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity, large frame .38 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Weight: small frame with 3 inch barrel 12 ? ounces, large frame with 3 ? inch barrel 18 ounces; Height: small frame 3 _ inches, large frame 3 7/8 inches; Frame length: small frame 4 3/16 inches, large frame 5 inches: Overall length: small frame with 3 inch barrel 6 3/8 inches, large frame with 3 ? inch barrel 7 3/8 inches. . Main serial number location on left side of grip frame grips must be removed to see.
    VALUE: 100%=$225 60%=$105

    although manufactured after iver johnson made the switch to smokeless powder some of the early production of the u.s. revolver co. top break did used left over safety automatic second model parts, which were plackpowder only models. any of these early production revolver should be checked by a qualified person for correct timing of cylinder and any looseness of the frame/barrel. streching of the frame can and does occur.

    bill
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