For collectors, gunsmiths, and owners, identifying the exact production year requires a specialized .
Most common for later models.
"Let’s see when you were born," he muttered, pulling the trigger guard back to reveal the hidden stamp on the frame. .
Without a key, a rusty Iver Johnson was just a paperweight with a tragic past.
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. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
You must remove the grips to find the full serial number, which often includes a critical letter prefix not visible on the outside.
: Letter prefixes were introduced on the bottom of the grip frame to signal the frame size and caliber. Third Model (1909–1941)
Often found under the grips or directly on the butt.
The mystery solved. Not murder. Not espionage. Just a workingman’s tool, passed down, then hidden, then found again. For collectors, gunsmiths, and owners, identifying the exact
Data fields (recommended)
The search phrase typically leads enthusiasts down a frustrating path. Unlike Colt or Smith & Wesson, there is no single, centralized, official "database" accessible to the public that contains the production records of Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works.
This location usually lacks the letter prefix and may be a duplicate. Under the top strap: Check inside the frame window when the cylinder is open. 📅 Safety Automatic Model Identification
The "BEST" resource currently available is not a searchable digital database, but rather a specific reference book and a decentralized network of collector forums. The most active and knowledgeable community resides on
On most top-break Iver Johnson models, the serial number is located on the , underneath the grip panel. 2. Identify the Model Variant
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.
The primary reason a dedicated database is essential is that Iver Johnson serial numbers are not unique across models. A serial number like "12345" could theoretically exist on a First Model Safety Automatic, a Second Model, and a bicycle gun, all manufactured in different years. Furthermore, Iver Johnson produced firearms under various trade names for large retailers like Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery Ward.
For many Iver Johnson revolvers, the serial number is located on the bottom of the grip strap.