![]() The gun’s serial number indicates it was from the first year of production- 1894 or 95, depending on who you ask. All of the internals are accessed either from the bottom by removing the trigger-guard, or from the top by removing the hammer-shroud. The gun has a one-piece frame with no sideplate. I have large hands but the grip is only slightly awkward for me I may or may not remedy this with a custom grip. It locks up very tight and the trigger, while quite heavy, is very smooth. Hey, acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step, right? Anyway I eventually looked at it and was surprised and impressed at the quality. It was there for months but I had little interest because… well, because it was an Iver Johnson and when it comes to top-breaks I am a total S&W snob. I found this gun at Pinto’s Guns in Renton, WA. I expect that this was done in the interest of cost savings the original lock was stronger and more fool-proof. Both of these features were eventually discontinued the trigger-safety was removed and the lock was replaced with a simple T-Bar lock similar to S&W revolvers of the period. The locking mechanism is very strong, using a single side-lever to turn a solid bar to disengage. It uses their famous transfer-bar safety, and additionally has a trigger-safety that would later see use on the uber-popular Glock semi-automatic pistols. The gun we are discussing is an Automatic Safety Hammerless Model 1. They advertised prolifically, with a strong emphasis on the safety of these guns. In succeeding years they made inexpensive solid-frame revolvers and single-barrel top-break shotguns as well. They were nothing if not prolific they made 100,000 revolvers in their first year of production, which sold, depending on the model, for $4-$8. The Automatic portion of the name referred to the fact that it automatically ejected the cartridges when the revolver was opened. The ‘Safety’ referred to the use of a transfer-bar safety, which allowed the gun to be carried with the hammer down on a loaded chamber. In 1894 launched the production of their ‘Safety Automatic’ revolvers, and shortly thereafter launched hammerless versions of these guns. Hope this helps a little.Iver Johnson’s Arms and Cycle works was formed under that name in 1891 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. This info is in book mentioned and in 1940 started with Letter A and each year was the next letter of the Alphabet. these letter code were stamped along with the serial number on the bottom of the top strap (the cylinder had to be removed to see this location). during 1890 though 1904 H&R was manufacturing so many top break revolvers they starting using a letter code after 100,000 had been reached. Please keep in mind that H&R did not alway obey their own rules and there are exception to every rule. no caliber markings = black powder, caliber markings = smokeless powder. when H&R made the switch to smokeless powder in 1905 they started marking the caliber on the left side of the barrel of all their handguns. starting with A in 1940 and going to BC in 1986.Ĭaliber markings on the side of the barrel ALWAYS indicate 1905 or after manufacture. Post 1904 (1905 to 1939) one single series starting at 1 and going into the middle 6 digits (some third model auto-ejecting revolvers have been observed with number in the 800,000 range.ġ940 and after letter codes used to denote year of manufacture. on some models there was a different series every year. Pre 1905 (1904 and before) which were more like batch numbers and usually ran from 1 to 99,999. This gentleman has spent years gathering information and the book is very informative. Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 To all as this might help anyone else also to find out more on these guns. ![]()
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