IVER JOHNSON DATE OF MANUFACTURE

M. STIGALL

Top Break 38 s&w, SN 54955. Stamped M.S.P. (pretty sure that's michigan state police). Thanks!

M. STIGALL

I inherited a Champion 410 ga. singleshot with the stampings "GGTB" on the receiver, forend and buttstock.
Can anyone tell me the date of manufacture?

M. STIGALL

I JUST ACQUIRED A MINT,UNFIRED,IN THE BOX WITH ALL ACCESSORIES,IVER JOHNSON 32 S&W MODEL #3 SAFETY HAMMER. SERIAL # 6613. I KNOW FROM DATA SEARCHES AND GUN MARKINGS IT WAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1919 AND 1941. I JUST ORDERED THE I.J. BOOK BUT DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL PIN-DOWN EXACT MANUFACTURE DATE.DOES ANYONE HAVE THAT INFO? ALSO STAMPED ON END OF BOX OVER THE 32 SAFETY HAMMER LABEL IS; "632 1/2". DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT SYMBOLIZES? BOTTOM OF BOX IN PENCIL IS " #632 1/2" AND THE PRICE $13.50. I USUALLY PLAY WITH COLTS AND DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IVER JOHNSONS. THANKS

b.goforth

yes, the iver johnson book will tell you the year and how many were manufactured that year, but you will have to remove the grips and check the main serial number location for the serial number letter code. it will be on the left side of the frame under the grip panel.

the third model small frame safety automatic hammer 32 caliber used three different letter codes between 1909 and 1941 A=1909-1914, G=1915-1926 and J=1927-1940. the only third models that will not have a letter code prefix to the serial number were the special order revolvers (something added to cause the revolver to be removed from the assembly line). all special order numbers were discontinued about 1921. after that special order revolvers were taken from finished revolvers (already numbered) to add whatever to them.

the ink markings over the box label is the markigs of either a wholesaler or retailer. a quick check of iver johnson catalogs and price lists for the third model shows that model numbers were not used for ordering until after 1920 and then the model number for a small frame 32 hammer with 3 inch barrel was model 108 for blue and 109 for nickel (standard size grips). there is no listing of 632 1/2 all the way through 1942.
bill

M. STIGALL

THANKS BILL, YOU'VE BEEN MOST HELPFUL. I LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR BOOK TO STUDY FURTHER. MIKE