A family friend gave me an Iver Johnson revolver. Its a cadet 55-SA model and has 38 cal. Stamped on the frame. Am I correct that it is the .38s&w round and not .38 rimfire? I know its not the .38special. Im not concerned with value. Just curious as to what I have. Thanks!
Iver Johnson pistol ?
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As you state it uses both the word "Cadet" and the designation "55-SA" I will guess it is a Variation I model produced from 1963-1974. It came in 32 S&W and 38 S&W. There will be a "B" in the serial number if it is a 32 or a "G" if it is a 38 S&W. There was a Variation 2 produced from 1974-1979 that also came in 38 Special. Guns chambered for that cartridge will have a "J" in the serial number. There should also not be the word "Cadet" in the model designation but that is not a hard and fast rule in many of these cheaper guns.
I know its not the .38 special as I tried a round just to see and it wouldnt go into the chamber. Stuck out about a 1/4". I just wanted to make sure it was the .38S&w and not the .38 short rimfire, which I was pretty sure it wasnt. Im not real familiar with those rounds. I have to try to get it in working condition before I do anything with it anyway. Thanks!
Put a piece of paper into the weapon and drop the hammer one time. That will show you where the firing pin is striking and that will answer your question.
Thanks guys!
This model of pistol was brought forth by Iver Johnson in the mid-20th century which is long after large bore rimfire cartridges fell from favor. I believe 38 rimfire ammo was last produced a couple of decades prior to this model coming out with the last guns being made closer to a half century earlier. The 55 series originally came out in 22 LR in the 1940s with centerfire rounds becoming available later on.
As I wrote earlier, there should be a "G" in the serial number if it is a 38 S&W and the chambering should also be stamped on the frame usually by by the crane if I recall correctly.
As I wrote earlier, there should be a "G" in the serial number if it is a 38 S&W and the chambering should also be stamped on the frame usually by by the crane if I recall correctly.
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I have a 32 with a B in the serial number like you said. This is the first web site I have been to that has information on the gun. Just wandering what would be the value of the gun
Sorry to not have replied earlier, I have not been able to visit as often as I used to.
An "Ivy Johnson" will typically run in the $100 range if in ver good contion with some models going as high as $150 depending on condition and features and many others going for much less. There is not much collector nor shooter demand for these guns and literally a million or more were made so prices are not very high. For those reasons they are fun guns to collect as one does not have to spend much to get a fairly large collection.
An "Ivy Johnson" will typically run in the $100 range if in ver good contion with some models going as high as $150 depending on condition and features and many others going for much less. There is not much collector nor shooter demand for these guns and literally a million or more were made so prices are not very high. For those reasons they are fun guns to collect as one does not have to spend much to get a fairly large collection.
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