Without the book, you can identify the general era of an Iver Johnson revolver by looking at the serialization format, particularly for the famous "Safety Automatic" revolvers.
On top-break models, open the action and remove the cylinder. The number may be stamped on the underside of the top strap. Step 2: Identify the Major Model
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | | 1871–1970s (revolvers primarily 1880s–1940s) | | Number of models | 50+ revolver variants | | Serial location | Bottom of grip frame, rear cylinder face, inside grip panels | | Numbering system | Inconsistent; often restarted at 1 for each model | | Hammer the gun | Hammer the gun → Hammer (internal vs external) | | Top-break vs solid-frame | Top-break serials are better documented |
To help narrow down your manufacturing date, tell me the (including any letters), the number of patent dates on the butt, and whether it is a top-break or solid-frame model. Share public link Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
Once you have the letter prefix, you have the key to unlocking its approximate age. The table below compiles the most consistent and accepted serial number prefix data for Iver Johnson's popular Safety Automatic revolvers, which form the bulk of their production.
offers expert identification services based on photos. 5. Safety and Value Notes When utilizing this database, please keep in mind:
However, the best database isn't a government website; it is a collective, community-sourced effort built by dedicated historians like and the members of the Iver Johnson Collectors Association . Without the book, you can identify the general
The location of the serial number often helps determine the model and era: Standard location for many models.
Tracking the exact manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver requires looking beyond the digits. The company did not use a centralized, sequential serial number system across its entire production run. Instead, they relied on a complex system of letter prefixes, frame styles, and patent dates.
are the gold standard, you can use these general rules of thumb: Prefix Type Estimated Production Era 1909 – 1919 (or pre-1894 for Model 1) Single Letter 1920 – 1929 Two Letters 1930 – 1939 All Letters 1940 – 1950 3. The "Smokeless" Powder Cutoff Step 2: Identify the Major Model | Feature
By addressing these suggestions, the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database can continue to grow and improve, solidifying its position as the premier resource for Iver Johnson revolver enthusiasts.
A: The U.S. Gun Control Act of 1968 mandated serial numbers on all firearms, but many Iver Johnsons were made decades before that. If you cannot find a number in the locations described, it's likely an early model that was never given one. In this case, you must rely on other features like barrel markings and patent dates to date it.
To get an accurate reading, you must look in three primary locations:
Your Iver Johnson revolver isn’t just a gun—it’s a mechanical time capsule. The right database is the key to opening it.