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US REVOLVER CO model?
GWI
Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
I have an old .32 caliber, hammerless, 5 shot, top-break revolver with "US Revolver Co" marked on top of the barrel. Serial number is 33380, found only on bottom of trigger guard. There are no patent dates on the barrel. The trigger guard has two pins above it. It has a T-shaped barrel catch and has no positive cylinder stops. I've read that these revolvers were manufactured by Iver Johnson, but this one has characteristics of what I've heard are both the new model and old model top-breaks. Anyone have an idea about when this gun was made?
Comments
the u.s. revolver co. automatic (top break model) was manufactured between 1910 and 1935. it is a less expensive model from the main line 'safety automatic revolver'. it does share some interchanable parts with the second model safety automatic revolver but none of the third model parts are interchanglable except barrels. well before the first year of production (1910) had ended the use of left over second model parts was used up and new parts were being manufactured to smokeless powder cartridge pressures. there were approx.15,000 manufactured in the first year so anything above that should be safe with modern ammo as long as the revolver is in shootable condition.
the u.s. revolver co handguns do not used the "hammer the hammer" action. the hammerless models rely instead on a rebounding hammer, which is a unique two piece hammer (not seen on any other hammerless revolver).
if the grip frame serial number on this revolver is the same as the one on the trigger guard and does not have a letter code the manufacture date would be 1912 and if it is the same with the letter code "B" the manufacture date would be 1921. if the numbers don't match or the letter code is not a "B" then futher study is needed to identify.
bill
in the iver johnson line the smallest 22 rimfire they manufactured was the very shot lived "Petite" model manufactured about 1910 with less than 600 manufactured. the "petite" model looks a lot like the Kolb/Sedgley "baby hammerless" models and is only about 1/8th on an inch longer in length and the same in height. being double action only and so small it is hard to fire and hold on to at the same time. the model 1900 small frame and the u.s. revolver co. double action small frame in 7 shot 22 rimfire are very small with a 2 inch barrel. in black powder only model iver johnson offered the 'american bulldog' and the 'boston bulldog' in a small frame 7 shot 22 rimfire. in the pre WWII era both iver johnson and H&R offered their small frame top break revolvers in 22 rimfire.
in the post wwII era all the really small 22 rimfire revolvers seams to have disappeared and all H&R and iver johnson's 22 rimfire models were built on large frames. however each company did offer these models with short barrel and round butt grip frames.
bill
Thanks for the help
Blessings All Look like it has been a while but here is a question. I just pick up what looks like a 38, made by the US Revolver.Co with the number 11059 in three places and am trying to date it. No letters in the number. all three match.
Thanks for the help
Please read Bill Goforth's post of 04/17/08, he gives a specific DOM for your revolver based on it's serial number.
bill