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.uglydog said: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.
