[dubb]

5 years ago I had a pistol given to me, however it was in a case that the person made. I don't know why they gave it to me, but I had it hanging on my wall ever since.
So i was sitting here today and was wondering what kind of gun it was since it looked pretty good I figured I might use it around in the woods.
Well I took it out of the wooden enclosure and was looking at it. I noticed on the top of the gone some very fine writing. I looked at it and found the following lines:
Iver Johnson's arms and cycle works Fitchburg Mass U.S.A
Pat'd APR 6 86 FEB 15 87 MAY 10 87 MAR 13 88 AUG 25 96. Pat's Pending.

So I did some research and found some info on it. It appears to be a 2 Gen. but I am not sure since it looks to be in great condition.
The serial number is in the following format: D42XXX
Can someone tell me around the time it was made?
Also I would like to know how much I can get out of it, Iam kinda hard on cash right now with the gas prices and such.
I will post some pics in a little while.

 

[dubb]

Ok, I got the pics uploaded, sorry for the quality, I took it with my camera phone...
You can go to click here to look at them, I would post them all on here, but would take too long to load them on the forum
thanks
BTW, there is like 8 pics that are 640x480 so might now be 56K friendly

 

[Pistolero]

According to the Blue Book of Gun Values, Iver Johnson produced the Safety Hammerless model from 1895 until 1950.

According to the book, if it was in 100% condition it would be worth $125.00, if in 98% it goes for $100.00. If in 95%, $95.00, 90% = $80.00, 80% = $75.00.

 

[Justin_Thompson]

Nice gun, but way too small.

Does anybody else think the Schofield should be brought back, chambered for stronger rounds like the .357 Magnum? With modern metallurgy and design the two-piece frame could be made to stand the increased recoil, right?

 

[dubb]

This is a second generation IJ, and might be made before 1899 which would classify it as a antique by law. The second generation was made until 1909 then they changed it to use different type of ammunition.
I found where it said that if the serial number begins with a F then it was made after 1899 however mine starts with a D and I can not find any info about D

The gun appears to be in real good condition, I can't even tell if it has been shot or not. It looks to be in pretty good mechanical condition, the trigger is a little hard to pull, and the revolving cyclinder does not turn so good, but other than that it looks real good. I would be afraid to shoot it since it is so old tho.

 

[uglydog]

This could easily be the U.S. Revolver model. It was made up of left over 2nd generation parts after the introduction of the 3rd generation model. Like the 2nd generation models, it was meant to be used with blackpowder cartridges. I'm guessing it is this model due to the "D" in the serial number. "A" was the prefix for the 1897 production year, "E" for 1898.
As I recall, the "F" serial number test was for the smaller .32 S&W caliber frames but I don't remeber ever hearing this applying with the larger .38 S&W models. The pre-1899 models of both types had a separate hammer shroud while the post-1899 had the shroud integral to the frame. There was also something regarding the placement of the patent dates though I don't remember all of it. I do remember on the pre-1899 models the dates were found on the top of the barrel rib but I don't remember where the dates were found on the post; I want to say they are found on the barrel itself.
Iver Johnson was not a high end gun company so there is not much collector interest out there for many of their models and prices reflect that. As pointed out above, the gun is probably worth a couple tanksof gas for a pick up.

 

[dubb]

This could easily be the U.S. Revolver model. It was made up of left over 2nd generation parts after the introduction of the 3rd generation model. Like the 2nd generation models, it was meant to be used with blackpowder cartridges. I'm guessing it is this model due to the "D" in the serial number. "A" was the prefix for the 1897 production year, "E" for 1898.
As I recall, the "F" serial number test was for the smaller .32 S&W caliber frames but I don't remeber ever hearing this applying with the larger .38 S&W models. The pre-1899 models of both types had a separate hammer shroud while the post-1899 had the shroud integral to the frame. There was also something regarding the placement of the patent dates though I don't remember all of it. I do remember on the pre-1899 models the dates were found on the top of the barrel rib but I don't remember where the dates were found on the post; I want to say they are found on the barrel itself.
Iver Johnson was not a high end gun company so there is not much collector interest out there for many of their models and prices reflect that. As pointed out above, the gun is probably worth a couple tanksof gas for a pick up.

THanks, the patent dates on mine are on the top rib, I've read somewhere that the 3rd gen's dates were on the side of the barrel, although I am not 100% sure on this. I don't know a whole lot about it, someone suggested that it may have been reblued and that the grips were made from buffalo horn, but I don't know if it was reblued or not, but I would say it almost had to be reblued since it looks fairly new.
As long as I get enough cash out of it to buy me a little pistol to carry around and shoot stuff with I will be happy.
I would like to get a .22 rimfire pistol, if anyone has one that they would like to trade for the IJ I am open for offers. :wink:

 

[uglydog]

I've about told everything I recall about Iver Johnson pistols which is not much. The prices quoted above are rtail prices, expect to get about half that if you decide to trade it in. I bought a similar H&R top break in .22 LR to use as a blank pistol for dog training a year or so ago. It was in much the same condition as yours except I knew it had been reblued at some time. I picked it up for $80. I would grab any offer in the $90 range and be glad for it. As this gun should only be used with blackpowder it really limits the desirability.