are the gold standard, you can use these general rules of thumb: Prefix Type Estimated Production Era 1909 – 1919 (or pre-1894 for Model 1) Single Letter 1920 – 1929 Two Letters 1930 – 1939 All Letters 1940 – 1950 3. The "Smokeless" Powder Cutoff
For a free, interactive lookup, the is your next best option. The most active and knowledgeable community resides on The Firearms Forum . In their "Iver Johnson" sub-forum, you'll find collectors and experts who can often provide an exact year of manufacture if you post a clear photo of the revolver and the true serial number from under the left grip.
For over a century, Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works (1871–1993) was the blue-collar hero of American firearms. Their “Hammer the Hammer” safety revolvers were legendary—so safe that you could confidently carry one with all five chambers loaded. They were affordable, reliable, and everywhere.
To further enhance the database, we suggest:
: Converts unique all-letter serial numbers used between 1940 and 1950 into numeric digits using the code: Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
A: This is critical. If your revolver has a flat mainspring and lacks the "Hammer the Hammer" safety system, it is a Black Powder model (1st or 2nd Gen) and is NOT safe with modern smokeless ammunition. If it has a coil spring and the third-model features listed above, it is rated for standard pressure .32 S&W or .38 S&W smokeless cartridges.
usually indicates an early black powder model (pre-1909), while a coil mainspring indicates a 3rd Model designed for smokeless powder. Owl Head Grips: If the owl on the grip is facing toward the barrel , it is often an earlier model; facing can indicate later production. Patent Dates: Check the top of the barrel. Dates like "PAT'D NOV. 17.08"
Depending on the model, the serial number can be found in different locations:
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. are the gold standard, you can use these
While not automated databases, forums like , The High Road , and Gunboards host the collective knowledge of the world's top Iver Johnson collectors.
Finding information on an Iver Johnson revolver is a journey that requires a bit of detective work. If you have an Iver Johnson revolver and want to know its story, use this checklist:
The most collected series is the Safety Automatic Revolver. These are break-top (top-break) revolvers. You must identify which "Model" you have:
The primary historical baseline used by appraisers today is derived from the definitive research book, Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871–1993 by W.E. Bill Goforth. To accurately determine your firearm's manufacture date, safety profile, and value, use this comprehensive identification manual and structured database framework. Step 1: Locating Hidden Serial Numbers In their "Iver Johnson" sub-forum, you'll find collectors
: Strict numeric digits were used in 1896. Letter prefixes were introduced in 1897.
You may need to remove the "Owl’s Head" grips to see the full number and letter prefix on the left side of the grip strap. The Trigger Guard: Often found on the bottom of the guard.
These were adapted for smokeless powder. You can identify them by the four-pin frame construction and the fact that the "Owl" on the grip usually faces toward the barrel. 4. Quick Identification by Model Features