Identifying and dating Iver Johnson revolvers is a specialized task because official company records are incomplete. The most comprehensive "database" for collectors is found in Bill Goforth's book, Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993, which contains the most accurate serial number lists and design evolution charts available. 1. Locate the Serial Number
The location of the serial number often helps determine the model and era: Grip Strap (Butt): Standard location for many models.
Under the Grips: Often found on the left side of the grip frame. Trigger Guard: Sometimes stamped on the bottom. Top Strap: Occasionally duplicated under the top strap. 2. Identify the Era by Serial Format
General rules of thumb for dating based on serial number prefixes:
No Letter Prefix: Typically manufactured between 1909 and 1919.
Single Letter Prefix: Generally indicates a manufacture date between 1920 and 1929 (e.g., "C" often corresponds to 1926).
Two Letter Prefix: Usually manufactured between 1930 and 1939.
All Letter Serial Number: Commonly produced between 1940 and 1950. 3. Use the "FITCHBURG" Decoding Key
For certain shotgun and revolver models (especially the "Champion" line), Iver Johnson used a letter-based code to represent numbers, based on the name of the city where they were based: FITCHBURG. F=1, I=2, T=3, C=4, H=5, B=6, U=7, R=8, G=9. 4. Safety Warning: Black Powder vs. Smokeless Knowing the production year is critical for safety. Iver Johnson Revolver Year & Info: Expert Q&A Guide
Review: Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database
Introduction
The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is a valuable resource for firearms enthusiasts, collectors, and researchers. Iver Johnson, a renowned American firearms manufacturer, produced a wide range of revolvers from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The database in question aims to provide a comprehensive catalog of serial numbers for Iver Johnson revolvers, facilitating the identification and authentication of these firearms. This review evaluates the database's features, accuracy, and usefulness.
Database Features and Interface
The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is a well-organized online resource, easily accessible via a web browser. The interface is straightforward, allowing users to search for serial numbers by model, year of manufacture, or a combination of both. The database also provides detailed information on the various Iver Johnson revolver models, including their production years, calibers, and notable characteristics.
Accuracy and Completeness
The database appears to be meticulously maintained, with a vast collection of serial numbers covering various Iver Johnson revolver models. A thorough examination of the database reveals a high level of accuracy, with most entries matching the manufacturer's historical records. However, as with any database, there may be some gaps or errors, particularly for rare or hard-to-find models.
Usefulness and Target Audience
The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is an indispensable tool for:
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion
The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in Iver Johnson revolvers. Its accuracy, completeness, and ease of use make it an invaluable tool for collectors, researchers, and law enforcement. While there may be some limitations, the database remains a BEST resource for those seeking to identify, authenticate, or research Iver Johnson revolvers.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation
The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is a must-visit resource for anyone involved with Iver Johnson revolvers. We highly recommend it to collectors, researchers, and law enforcement agencies seeking accurate and reliable information on these firearms.
Future Development
To further enhance the database, we suggest:
By addressing these suggestions, the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database can continue to grow and improve, solidifying its position as the premier resource for Iver Johnson revolver enthusiasts. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
Identifying the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver is notoriously difficult because many official factory records no longer exist. However, by cross-referencing serial number prefixes, patent dates, and physical design changes, you can accurately narrow down your firearm's age. Where to Find the Serial Number
To get an accurate reading, you must look in three primary locations:
The Butt of the Grip: The most common location for a quick check.
The Left Side of the Grip Strap: You must remove the grips to find the full serial number, which often includes a critical letter prefix not visible on the outside.
The Bottom of the Trigger Guard: Used on various models like the Champion series.
Under the Top Strap: Visible only when the action is open and the cylinder is removed. The Iver Johnson Serial Number Database Guide
Based on W.E. Goforth’s authoritative research, the serial number's format often reveals the production era.
If you are holding a top-break, hammerless, or solid-frame revolver stamped with the iconic "Iver Johnson" name, you are holding a piece of American industrial history. For over 80 years, Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, produced some of the most popular and affordable firearms in the United States. From "The Owl Head" to the famous "Safety Automatic" models, these revolvers are beloved by collectors, Cowboy Action shooters, and historians.
However, for the average owner, one question looms larger than all others: How old is my Iver Johnson revolver, and where can I find the BEST Iver Johnson revolver serial number database?
Unlike Smith & Wesson or Colt, Iver Johnson’s records have been incomplete, scattered, and often lost to factory fires and corporate closures. But don’t despair. This guide will walk you through the most accurate, vetted, and comprehensive resources available—the BEST databases that collectors trust.
Another excellent resource is the Iver Johnson section of GunValuesBoard.com. This is a user-driven database where owners enter their serial numbers, model descriptions, and purchase data.
The best Iver Johnson revolver serial number database is not a website but a hybrid research method:
No automated database is authoritative. If you need a date for a specific revolver, provide photos, patent dates, serial number, and caliber to the Iver Johnson subforum on Gunboards — experts there will give you the most accurate possible estimate.
Need help with a specific Iver Johnson revolver? Provide the following for a free estimate: Identifying and dating Iver Johnson revolvers is a
To identify the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver, you can use the serial number prefix specific markings
as a guide. There is no single "magic" official database, but collectors rely on established patterns from experts like Bill Goforth Iver Johnson Serial Number Quick Guide
Iver Johnson used a specific letter-prefix system for most of the 20th century to designate production decades: No Letter Prefix: Generally manufactured between 1909 and 1919 Single Letter Prefix: Manufactured between 1920 and 1929 Two Letter Prefix: Manufactured between 1930 and 1939 All Letter Serial:
Often seen on models like the "Champion" shotgun or late revolvers, made between 1940 and 1950 How to Find Your Serial Number
If you cannot see the number on the outside of the frame, check these common locations: Bottom of the Trigger Guard: The most common external spot. Left Side of the Frame: Hidden under the left grip panel Butt of the Revolver: Stamped on the bottom of the grip frame. Key Identification Markers Black Powder vs. Smokeless: Examine the mainspring flat leaf spring
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"
are typical for 3rd Model Safety Automatic revolvers produced between 1909 and 1941 Top Resources for Collectors
For the most accurate data, collectors recommend these specialized sources:
Title: Unlocking History: The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database
For firearms enthusiasts, collectors, and historians, few names evoke the image of early 20th-century American reliability quite like Iver Johnson. Known as the "gun that never jams," these revolvers were ubiquitous in the homes and pockets of everyday Americans from the late 1800s through the mid-20th century.
However, for anyone trying to identify the specific history of a found or inherited firearm, Iver Johnson presents a unique challenge. Unlike modern manufacturers with centralized digital archives, Iver Johnson’s records are fragmented. This is why compiling and understanding the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is considered the "BEST" resource for collectors—it is the key to unlocking the history of these working-class classics.
Today, the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database exists online (hosted by the International Iver Johnson Collectors Association), and it follows the B.E.S.T. framework:
| Letter | Meaning | What You Do | |--------|---------|--------------| | B | Barrel Markings | Record the top-latch patent dates (e.g., “Pat. Apr. 6. 86, Feb. 15. 87…”). | | E | Era Frame | Hammer the hammer? Oval trigger guard? Round vs. square butt? | | S | Serial Number | Locate it (under the grip panel, on the trigger guard, or front strap). | | T | Type & Caliber | .32 S&W, .38 S&W, .22 LR? Safety Hammerless or Large Frame? |
Once you input those four things, the database returns: Firearms collectors : The database helps collectors verify