Always ensure the firearm is unloaded before checking under the grips or inspecting the barrel.
These were redesigned for smokeless powder . The easiest way to tell: The owl logo on the grips faces toward the barrel . On older models, the owl faces the back of the gun. 2. Serial Number Letter Prefixes
The database answered instantly:
If you're a collector or owner of an Iver Johnson revolver, having access to a reliable serial number database is crucial for determining the production date, model, and authenticity of your firearm. After researching various options, I found that the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is an excellent resource that stands out from the rest.
The most collected series is the Safety Automatic Revolver. These are break-top (top-break) revolvers. You must identify which "Model" you have: Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
Older models produced around the turn of the 20th century were often designed specifically for black powder. Using modern smokeless ammunition in firearms not designed for those pressures can result in catastrophic equipment failure and severe injury.
Because the original company records do not exist as a single chronological master list, firearms historians like Bill Goforth meticulously reconstructed the production records. This comprehensive guide provides everything needed to locate your serial number, decode the letter prefix, and determine if your antique handgun is safe for modern ammunition. Step 1: Locate the Official Serial Number Always ensure the firearm is unloaded before checking
To identify the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver, you can use the serial number prefix specific markings
| Letter Prefix | Caliber | Model | Year(s) of Manufacture | | :------------ | :------ | :------------------------ | :-------------------- | | (none) | .32 | 1st Model (Black Powder) | 1894-1896 | | | .22 | 1st Model (Black Powder) | 1894-1896 | | D, E, F | .32 | 1st Model (Black Powder) | 1894-1896 | | A, B, C | .38 | 1st Model (Black Powder) | 1894-1896 | | R | .38 | 2nd Model Hammerless | 1906-1908 | | C | .38 | 3rd Model Hammer (Smokeless) | 1909-1917 | On older models, the owl faces the back of the gun
From 1894 to 1895 (First Model), serial numbers were strictly numeric without any alphabetical characters. Starting with the Second Model in 1896–1897, Iver Johnson introduced letter prefixes to manage high production volumes. These letters reset or changed annually. Second Model Letter Prefix Matrix (Black Powder Only)