Antique revolver fans, look at this...

[Mgderf]

I won this on an auction over the weekend and picked it up this morning.
It's an Iver Johnson Top break .32.

Barrel stamping is so small I can't get a good picture of it.
It reads,
Iver Johnson Arms &Cycle Works Fitchfield, Mass. USA
Patented April 8 '86 Feb 15 '87 May 10 '87 Dec 20 '93 patent pending. It was advertised as a .32 caliber but is not marked anywhere.
I believe it is a black powder .32S&W .
Cylinder is not long enough to chamber .32 S&W long.

Serial number 16.

Btw- anyone know where I can find .32S&W (short)?
I did manage to find some Starline brass, although it's backordered...

 

[Bigtanker]

That is cool. #16 wow.


Looks like lucky Gunner has some in stock. $1 a round.

Cheap 32 S&W Ammo For Sale - 88 Grain LRN Ammunition in Stock by Remington Performance Wheelgun - 50 Rounds

Cheap 32 S&W Ammo In Stock by Remington - 88 Grain LRN Ammunition by Remington For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 50 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com

 

[Mgderf]

I won this on an auction over the weekend and picked it up this morning.
It's an Iver Johnson Top break .32.

Barrel stamping is so small I can't get a good picture of it.
It reads,
Iver Johnson Arms &Cycle Works Fitchfield, Mass. USA
Patented April 8 '66 Feb 15 '67 May 10 '67 Dec 20 '93 patent pending. It was advertised as a .32 caliber but is not marked anywhere.
I believe it is a black powder .32S&W .
Cylinder is not long enough to chamber .32 S&W long.

Serial number 16.

That is cool. #16 wow.


Looks like lucky Gunner has some in stock. $1 a round.

Cheap 32 S&W Ammo For Sale - 88 Grain LRN Ammunition in Stock by Remington Performance Wheelgun - 50 Rounds

Cheap 32 S&W Ammo In Stock by Remington - 88 Grain LRN Ammunition by Remington For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 50 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com

I think I need to determine if this thing is safe for smokeless powder.
It is in fantastic shape for it's age.
It's actually in great shape for ANY age!

I did just find a detail that I missed though.
While researching this before the auction ended, I found a reference to a "safety blade added to the trigger" on one or another model, but I can't recall what it said.
There is a slot in the trigger, where it looks like a safety would be, but no safety.
Evidently it was removed some time ago, or someone has replaced the trigger.
I do know at least one version of this pistol is supposed to be o.k. with smokeless powder, but I don't want to take undo chances.

 

[Mgderf]

From my understanding, these were considered to be "belly guns", or up close and personal.
It's said they were popular with professional gamblers, having about the accuracy range of a card table.

I've also read in the past that pistols like this were carried by bicycle riders, to ward off pesky dogs.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I think I need to determine if this thing is safe for smokeless powder.
It is in fantastic shape for it's age.
It's actually in great shape for ANY age!

I did just find a detail that I missed though.
While researching this before the auction ended, I found a reference to a "safety blade added to the trigger" on one or another model, but I can't recall what it said.
There is a slot in the trigger, where it looks like a safety would be, but no safety.
Evidently it was removed some time ago, or someone has replaced the trigger.
I do know at least one version of this pistol is supposed to be o.k. with smokeless powder, but I don't want to take undo chances.

Paging @Leadeye ... Leadeye to the white courtesy phone please.

 

[Mgderf]

O.k. with the aid of a good magnifying glass, I did find a super tiny x inside a square box on top of the barrel, but have no idea what it's supposed to mean.

 

[Mgderf]

Compared to a J-frame Taurus .327 Fed/mag.
The Iver Johnson is TINY!

 

[357 Terms]

Looks to be a BP Iver Johnson.

Iver johnson 32 top break

So in my endeavors at my local gun shop today i came across an iver johnson 32 top break. The lady said that it probably can be shot without a problem...

www.thehighroad.org

 

[Jaybird1980]

I think I need to determine if this thing is safe for smokeless powder.
It is in fantastic shape for it's age.
It's actually in great shape for ANY age!

I did just find a detail that I missed though.
While researching this before the auction ended, I found a reference to a "safety blade added to the trigger" on one or another model, but I can't recall what it said.
There is a slot in the trigger, where it looks like a safety would be, but no safety.
Evidently it was removed some time ago, or someone has replaced the trigger.
I do know at least one version of this pistol is supposed to be o.k. with smokeless powder, but I don't want to take undo chances.

I believe it's a first model, I think second model was 96 or 98 dated. That means BP only. An easy way is to take grip off, if it leafspring style it's BP if it's coil it's smokeless.

1st and 2nd models were BP, smokeless showed up in the 3rd model I believe.

 

[jagee]

My great-great grandpa carried this one when he delivered mail to railroad cars. Now it lives in my safe and on my arm. (Pic from when the ink was fresh.)

 

[Mgderf]

O.k. looks like it's black powder.
The owls are facing down, like they are looking at the trigger guard.
I found some Pyrodex in my stash. I assume the RS is for rifle/ shotgun, and the P is for pistol.
Would this be right?

 

[Jaybird1980]

O.k. looks like it's black powder.
The owls are facing down, like they are looking at the trigger guard.
I found some Pyrodex in my stash. I assume the RS is for rifle/ shotgun, and the P is for pistol.
Would this be right?

Yes. P is for pistols.

 

[Mgderf]

Yes. P is for pistols.

O.k. now to locate load data for .32 S&W...

 

[DadSmith]

O.k. looks like it's black powder.
The owls are facing down, like they are looking at the trigger guard.
I found some Pyrodex in my stash. I assume the RS is for rifle/ shotgun, and the P is for pistol.
Would this be right?

How many grains of BP do you use and what is the bullet weight you plan on using?
When and if you shoot this please chronograph the velocity and load you used. I'm interested in this.

 

[Mgderf]

How many grains of BP do you use and what is the bullet weight you plan on using?
When and if you shoot this please chronograph the velocity and load you used. I'm interested in this.

I have no idea how many grains, or what weight bullet to use.
I have the Pyrodex, cases are on backorder but on their way.
I have spp, and some 90gr projectiles, but I wonder if those won't be too heavy.
My chronograph is in storage and I haven't dug it back out.
I had a fire and had to vacate my house in less than 24 hours, so things are still " lost".

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I have no idea how many grains, or what weight bullet to use.
I have the Pyrodex, cases are on backorder but on their way.
I have spp, and some 90gr projectiles, but I wonder if those won't be too heavy.
My chronograph is in storage and I haven't dug it back out.
I had a fire and had to vacate my house in less than 24 hours, so things are still " lost".

We really need Leadeye to chime in. I may be misremembering, but I was thinking that he mentioned some load data for 32 S&W before and I think he also mentioned using a light charge of Unique to load for what would have traditionally been a black powder only pistol, but don't quote me on that. At any rate, I'm pretty sure he'll have the answers you're looking for.

 

[Mgderf]

I've got Unique, and Trailboss, as well as the Pyrodex, but I don't want to guess.
Rather wait on experienced advice.

 

[Jaybird1980]

O.k. now to locate load data for .32 S&W...

Hopefully @Leadeye will chime in, I know he has mentioned loading BP for 32. I do have a little bit of black powder load data, when I get back near it I will look some up for you. Probably be hour and a half or so.

 

[Mgderf]

My great-great grandpa carried this one when he delivered mail to railroad cars. Now it lives in my safe and on my arm. (Pic from when the ink was fresh.)

View attachment 205750

That is amazing

 

[Jaybird1980]

I've got Unique, and Trailboss, as well as the Pyrodex, but I don't want to guess.
Rather wait on experienced advice.

I forgot to ask you what you are going to be measuring the BP with?