: Introduced after 1919 to indicate high-volume production years. Solid Frame Models: The Model 1900 and Beyond
user wants a long article about the "Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST". The keyword suggests they want the best available resources for dating and identifying these revolvers by serial number. I need to provide comprehensive information, including serial number ranges, manufacturing dates, model variations, and sources. To cover all these aspects, I need to search for serial number databases, dating guides, model information, authoritative resources, and collector forums. search results show various sources, but none are a comprehensive "database." The results include forum discussions, auction listings, and individual articles. The user's keyword is "Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST". This suggests they want to find the best possible resource for this purpose. I need to synthesize information from multiple sources to create a guide that points to the best available resources. To do this, I will need to gather specific details from some of the more promising results, such as those from forums and articles, to extract serial number ranges, dating methods, and other relevant information. search results provided a variety of sources. I will structure the article to cover the serial number location, the meaning of letter prefixes and suffixes, identifying black powder vs. smokeless models, known serial number ranges and tables, the best online databases and resources, frequently asked questions, and a conclusion. I'll cite relevant sources for each section. quest to unlock the story behind a vintage Iver Johnson revolver often begins—and ends—with its serial number. For collectors, history buffs, and those holding a family heirloom, finding the best resource for a serial number lookup is paramount. This article distills decades of collector knowledge, expert research, and digital resources into the definitive guide for dating and identifying your Iver Johnson revolver.
Understanding how to decipher these classic top-break and solid-frame handguns requires analyzing hidden serial locations, structural indicators, and decoding chronological tracking charts. Critical Serial Number Locations
: Small frame, .22 or .32 caliber (Early production) A : Large frame, .38 caliber B : Small frame, .32 caliber C : Large frame, .32 or .38 caliber target models Third Model Smokeless Powder Prefix Codes A : Small frame, .32 caliber, hammer model B : Small frame, .32 caliber, hammerless model C : Large frame, .38 caliber, hammer model D : Large frame, .38 caliber, hammerless model G : Small frame, .22 caliber rimfire Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
: Check under the top strap (open the action and remove the cylinder) or on the bottom receiver tang. Iver Johnson Serial Number Dating Key
Unlike many modern firearms, the serial number you see at a glance on an Iver Johnson is often not the complete story. Many models, especially the top-break "Safety Automatic" revolvers, have multiple numbers stamped on them.
By following these resources and tips, you'll become an expert on Iver Johnson revolvers and be able to unlock the secrets of your firearm's history and value. : Introduced after 1919 to indicate high-volume production
A: This model was manufactured from 1884 to 1941. Locate the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame or under the grips, then use the resources above to cross-reference it with known production ranges.
This is a report on the , focusing on what is available, its limitations, and how to best use serial numbers to date and identify these popular American top-break and solid-frame revolvers.
The most collected series is the Safety Automatic Revolver. These are break-top (top-break) revolvers. You must identify which "Model" you have: The user's keyword is "Iver Johnson Revolver Serial
No automated database is authoritative. If you need a date for a specific revolver, provide to the Iver Johnson subforum on Gunboards — experts there will give you the most accurate possible estimate.
Because the company reused numbers across different models and iterations, a numerical sequence alone is insufficient for tracking production history. Collectors heavily rely on the foundational research of firearms historian W.E. "Bill" Goforth —author of Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871–1993 —to accurately decode manufacturing eras.
Dating an Iver Johnson revolver is notoriously difficult because the company often restarted serial number sequences annually or by model variation. To find the exact production year, you must cross-reference the serial number prefix with specific physical design features
The database answered instantly: