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Iver Johnson Revolver - Antique? MORE INFO

capgun
I have a great IJ hammerless .38 #D65400 under grip. Last pat date is Aug 25, 96, then Pats. Pending. Is this a pre-99 antique?
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • capgun
    This has the safety lever in the trigger
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  • b.goforth
    the trigger safety was discontinued on the third model introduced in 1909. with out knowing all the patent date listed and where they are located i can not give you an exact year of production. the D letter code was used on the large frame 38 S&W second model (1896-1908) hammerless between 1896 and 1902. the federal government has said that only firearms manufactured before januaary 1, 1899 are antiques and those manufactured after december 31, 1898 are modern. some second model safety automatic revolver are antiques and some are not but all those that were manufactured after december 31, 1898 can be classified as having Curio & Relic status. only a person who has a C&R license can purchase across state lines without going through the process of having it shipped to a licensed dealer and then filling out a 4473 form. being more that 50 years old only means it falls into the C&R clasification. it does not exempt it from any federal or state laws that govern antique versus modern firearms. what i can tell you is this is a black powder only revolver.

    SECOND MODEL SAFETY AUTOMATIC HAMMERLESS REVOLVER
    (Black Powder Cartridges)
    --1896-1908
    LARGE FRAME AND SMALL FRAME VERSIONS USES HAMMER THE HAMMER ACTION: Double top post barrel latch, Hammer the Hammer action, nickel finish with blue optional, two frame sizes and three calibers. Hard rubber grip panels with Owls head at top. Calibers: small frame .22 rimfire with 7 rounds cylinder capacity, .32 centerfire with 5 rounds cylinder capacity; Standard barrel length: small frame 3 inches, large frame 3 ? inches; Weight: small frame with 3 inch barrel .22 rimfire 12 ? ounces, .32 centerfire 13 ? ounces, large frame with 3 ? inch barrel 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 all 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. The Second Model features a double top post barrel latch, flat leaf hammer spring and two cross pins in the lower frame.
    VALUE: 100%=$285 60%=$150
    For revolvers equipped with Bourne Knuckleduster add 100%

    bill
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  • capgun
    The patent dates are on top of the barrel. Apr 6, 86. Feb. 15, 87. May 10, 87. Mar. 13, 88.Aug 25, 96. Pats Pending. Iver Johnsons Arms & Cycle Works, Fitchburg, Mass. USA. Thanks.
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  • givette
    Capgun: place all of your added info into your first post via the edit function..then delete the extra posts you've created. I'll delete this post as soon as you've done this.

    We're only allowed ten posts, and this will free up response space. Best, Joe
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  • b.goforth
    these five patent dates were first used in 1898. this revolver is one of the hammerless large frame safety automatic revolvers that is borderline. the information published in my revised iver johnson books states serial numbers D33001 thru D66500 (with these five patent dates) were manufactured in 1898.

    i personally would say this revolver was manufactured in 1898, but individual dealers may not want to take the chance. in the hammerless models where 100,000 were not manufactured each year you have to use serial number, patent date markings and even the frames (early second model hammerless frames had a seperate hammer cover) in determining the year of manufacture. the ATF has my book in their reference file and have used it more than once to determine the age of iver johnson revolvers. if there is any question i would suggest buying a copy for yourself.

    regardless of what my book states an individual dealer may not sell this revolver as an antique. i know many who will not sell any cartridge revolvers as antiques.
    bill
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  • capgun
    Thanks, where can I buy your book?
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  • b.goforth
    the publisher of my book is gun show books. www.gunshowbooks.com or 1-800-589-6261

    bill
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