Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works ,32 cal

[jaie5070]

I have a .32 IJ that I got from my step father. It has such a stiff strigger pull that your lucky to hit anything if shooting it in DA mode.
john

[glindes]

Iver Johnson 32 S&W

I have an I J 5-shot break-open 32 S&W revolver that came from somewhere in the family... It is in ~95% condition, 6 inch barrel, blued finish, color case hardened trigger and hammer, one-piece unmarked wood grip. Serial number 59310 is clearly marked on bottom of trigger guard. Under the grip on the left side of frame it is marked G 59310. It' been kinda the "red-headed stepchild" of the safe....
Also have an H&R nickel, hammerless, 5-shot, break-open in 32 S&W revolver in mint condition that (according to Father) belonged to an Admiral FEY (Father spelled it out...F-E-Y). I'm not sure in which military the Admiral served... I google it and get some text in German or TINA FEY!!!!
Thanks of he I J letter prefix info. Geoff

[emmagee1917]

So it's a "J" from '27 to '41 and not a " B" ?
The sight I picked that up from sounded like they were good . Sorry about that.
Chris

[Ron James]

J was used in those years for the Small Frame Hammer model in 32 Center fire. Iver Johnson did not use the same prefix consecutively or necessary repetitively. During that time period Iver Johnson used at least 9 different alphabet letters as prefix's. It depended on the model and caliber, and yes there were times when the same prefix was used on more than one model. B prefix was used from 1909 until 1918 on the Small Frame Hammerless 32 S&W center fire .

[jim c 351]

Ron,
I've been away for the past few days and just now had a chance to read your post.
According to the info that I found and posted above, some of it by Goforth himself, a 5 shot 32 cal hammerless , like mine, would have an "A" prefex if made between 1909-1915.
Now you are saying that the same gun, made between 1909-1918 would have a "B" prefex. Are you saying the "A" prefex is incorrect or are you saying that IJ used both the "A" and the "B" prefex during the period between 1909 and 1918 ??? This is the first I've read of the "B" prefex. Did you learn of this from the Goforth book?? If so then you have solved the problem and my revolver was made between 1909 and 1918.
Thanks for your help.
Jim C

[Ron James]

Now, you are getting me confused, ( which is not hard to do). B Prefix was used in 1896 until 1902 and again in 1909 until 1918 on the Small Frame Hammerless .32 revolver. the A prefix was used in 1896 and 1897 and once again in 1909 until 1914 on the Small Frame Hammer .32. Small Frame Hammerless serial numbers begin , 1896 B0001 and end in 1902 at B100000 { estimated }, used again in 1909 at B0001 and ends in 1918 at B100,000 { estimated }. The Small Frame Hammer serial number A Prefix was used in 1896 starting at A00001 and ending in 1896 at A100000 { estimated }, and yet once again in in 1909 starting at A00001 until 1914 ending at A100.000 { estimated }. Apparently Iver Johnson used batch numbers and even that does not appear to be a consistent practice in their hundred years of production. Info from page 62 of Bill's book. This why when looking for a year questions arise such as , which way is the owl looking, coil or flat main spring and single or double post. Enough to make a sober man drink, or a drunk man sober.

[Ron James]

Well, don't know what happen to my response, if it doesn't show up in a day or so , I'll get my books out and redo it.

[jjrothWA]

Is there a reference for Harrington & Richardson top breaks??

Thanks for the above info, now know that my 1900 with the "owl" facing forward is a BP only. SN: 150XX