Posted 13 years ago
fossilhunter
(38 items)
Can anyone tell me what year this was made by the serial number? I'm adding it a shadowbox and would like to know the proper info to put on it's ID plate. Also was this a black powder version or smokeless powder version? Thanks!
Thanks packrat-place, beachcomb, Fivehands.
Unfortunately the number is not a serial #, it is a assembly number. It uses the 38 S&W cartrige & is not black powder. No one collects these, and can be bough for less than 20.00, so the is no way of telling what year it was made.
I will see what information I can find out for you, but there is a few people who collect Ivor & Johnsons. This company has been around for a very long time and from the appearance of you're pistol it is a little ruff. If it works correctly if could be fired with standard 38 S&W (shorts). This pistol was made from just prior to the start of the 20 century and ending in the first quarter of it. With the advent of the cowboy shooting society a lot of shooter are picking them up as belly guns. I would be nice in a display, but take it to a good gunsmith and see if it is a gun that can be fired safely first, if you want to shoot it once or twice. I like it Hardbrake
I would look for the serial number on the face of the cylinder between the chambers, if it has one, some older pistols did not have a serial number. The Blue book of Gun values should give you some information as to value. The Blue book also list that Iver Johnson was first produced in Fitchburg, MA, from 1883-1984. That 101 yeare and a lot of gun for the every day market. Hardbrake