Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database Best Updated

This is a report on the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database, focusing on what is available, its limitations, and how to best use serial numbers to date and identify these popular American top-break and solid-frame revolvers.

3. Best Available Serial Number Ranges (Partial)

These are derived from Goforth’s research and collector logs. They apply to Iver Johnson’s top-break, hammer-driven revolvers (not the solid-frame “Trailsman” or late-model automatics).

D. Solid Frame (IX, X, etc.)

Post-1940s, serial numbers less documented. Try the Iver Johnson Serial Number Request (see Step 3).

Unlocking the Past: The BEST Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database and How to Use It

If you are holding a top-break, hammerless, or solid-frame revolver stamped with the iconic "Iver Johnson" name, you are holding a piece of American industrial history. For over 80 years, Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, produced some of the most popular and affordable firearms in the United States. From "The Owl Head" to the famous "Safety Automatic" models, these revolvers are beloved by collectors, Cowboy Action shooters, and historians.

However, for the average owner, one question looms larger than all others: How old is my Iver Johnson revolver, and where can I find the BEST Iver Johnson revolver serial number database?

Unlike Smith & Wesson or Colt, Iver Johnson’s records have been incomplete, scattered, and often lost to factory fires and corporate closures. But don’t despair. This guide will walk you through the most accurate, vetted, and comprehensive resources available—the BEST databases that collectors trust.

The "BEST" Database for You Depends on Your Goal

| If you want... | Use this database... | | --- | --- | | The most accurate, scholarly year | Bill Goforth’s tables (via Internet Archive or PDF) | | A quick online lookup without downloading | Proofhouse.com | | Real human help with photos | Iver Johnson Collectors Facebook Group | | To see what others own with similar serials | GunValuesBoard.com | | Parts and repair instructions | Numrich Gun Parts (serial number helps ID the exact model) |

Conclusion: The Legacy Lives in the BEST Data

No, you cannot call a customer service hotline at Iver Johnson to ask about your revolver. The factory is silent. But thanks to decades of obsessive hobbyist work—specifically the unparalleled database of Bill Goforth, supported by online communities and reference sites like Proofhouse—you have access to the BEST Iver Johnson revolver serial number database available to mankind.

Whether you’re trying to date a family heirloom, ensure you’re using the correct ammunition, or appraise a find from an estate sale, start with the serial number under the top strap. Then, open your browser to TheFirearmsForum or Proofhouse, and watch history unfold.

Your Iver Johnson revolver isn’t just a gun—it’s a mechanical time capsule. The right database is the key to opening it.

There is no official online search engine for Iver Johnson serial numbers because the original company records are incomplete or lost . Instead, collectors rely on the book "Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993" by William Goforth, which is widely considered the definitive database . 🔍 Where to Find Your Serial Number

Iver Johnson revolvers often have serial numbers in multiple spots. If they don't match, the number under the grip is the official one .

Bottom of the Trigger Guard: Most common visible location .

Under the Left Grip Panel: The "true" serial number is often stamped on the left side of the frame .

Under the Top Strap: Open the action and look under the latch .

Bottom of the Grip (Butt): Common on later or larger models . 📅 How to Decode the Year

Since a searchable database doesn't exist, use these indicators to narrow down the age: 1. The Owl Head Grip

Owl faces toward the barrel: 1st or 2nd Model (1894–1908). These use black powder and are unsafe with modern ammo .

Owl faces toward the butt: 3rd Model (1909–1941). These were redesigned for smokeless powder . 2. The Letter Prefix

Letters at the start of the serial number (like "Q" or "C") indicate specific production runs or years . No Prefix: Likely an early model (before 1900) . Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST

Single Letter (e.g., "C"): Often indicates 1920s production (e.g., C = 1926) .

Two Letter Prefix: Used for later models, where each prefix has its own chronological chart . 3. Barrel Markings

Check the "fine print" on the top of the barrel. The latest patent date will give you a "no earlier than" manufacture date .

💡 Safety Warning: Most Iver Johnson revolvers found today are "Black Powder" models (pre-1909). Firing modern "Smokeless" ammunition in these can cause the gun to explode .

Help identifying an Iver Johnson revolver - Northwest Firearms

A high-quality Iver Johnson revolver serial number database provides a prefix-based dating system to determine the manufacturing period and whether the firearm is designed for black powder or modern smokeless powder. Key Database Features

Prefix Decoding Table: Identifies the specific year range based on the letter prefix (e.g., no prefix for 1909–1919, single letter for 1920–1929, and two letters for 1930–1939).

"FITCHBURG" Deciphering Tool: Converts unique all-letter serial numbers used between 1940 and 1950 into numeric digits using the code:

Ammunition Compatibility Guide: Uses the serial number and patent dates to verify if a revolver is a "Second Model" (black powder) or "Third Model" (smokeless powder) to prevent the use of dangerous modern ammunition in antique frames.

Hidden Location Identification: Provides diagrams showing where the "true" serial number is located, which is often hidden on the grip strap under the left grip panel rather than just the visible trigger guard.

Production Variation Data: Cross-references numbers with specific mechanical features, such as the "owl head" grip orientation or leaf spring types, to pinpoint exact variations like the "Ninth Variation" of the Second Model.

You can consult Colt's Serial Lookup or JustAnswer's Firearm Experts for professional help identifying vintage Iver Johnson models.

Help identifying an Iver Johnson revolver - Northwest Firearms

Finding the production year of an Iver Johnson revolver requires cross-referencing serial number prefixes and mechanical features, as there is no single, central "official" database remaining since the company went out of business

. The most comprehensive data is derived from historical reconstruction, notably by researcher W.E. "Bill" Goforth. Key Serial Number Indicators

Serial number formats changed significantly over the company's production history to denote different eras and powder types. No Letter Prefix (1909–1919) : Typically indicates early 20th-century production. Single Letter Prefix (1920–1929) : Standard for revolvers and shotguns during the 1920s. Two-Letter Prefix (1930–1939) : Introduced for more varied models produced concurrently. All-Letter Serial (1940–1950) : Rare coding system used on some later models. The "FITCHBURG" Coding System

Iver Johnson famously used a "word-code" for some serializations based on their home city, Fitchburg, MA. : F=1, I=2, T=3, C=4, H=5, B=6, U=7, R=8, G=9. : A serial of "BHFI" translates to 6521. Locating the Serial Number

Numbers are often hidden to prevent tampering or located on parts that require disassembly to view.

Identifying and dating Iver Johnson revolvers is a specialized task because official company records are incomplete. The most comprehensive "database" for collectors is found in Bill Goforth's book, Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993, which contains the most accurate serial number lists and design evolution charts available. 1. Locate the Serial Number This is a report on the Iver Johnson

The location of the serial number often helps determine the model and era: Grip Strap (Butt): Standard location for many models.

Under the Grips: Often found on the left side of the grip frame. Trigger Guard: Sometimes stamped on the bottom. Top Strap: Occasionally duplicated under the top strap. 2. Identify the Era by Serial Format

General rules of thumb for dating based on serial number prefixes:

No Letter Prefix: Typically manufactured between 1909 and 1919.

Single Letter Prefix: Generally indicates a manufacture date between 1920 and 1929 (e.g., "C" often corresponds to 1926).

Two Letter Prefix: Usually manufactured between 1930 and 1939.

All Letter Serial Number: Commonly produced between 1940 and 1950. 3. Use the "FITCHBURG" Decoding Key

For certain shotgun and revolver models (especially the "Champion" line), Iver Johnson used a letter-based code to represent numbers, based on the name of the city where they were based: FITCHBURG. F=1, I=2, T=3, C=4, H=5, B=6, U=7, R=8, G=9. 4. Safety Warning: Black Powder vs. Smokeless Knowing the production year is critical for safety. Iver Johnson Revolver Year & Info: Expert Q&A Guide

Identifying the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver is notoriously difficult because many official factory records no longer exist. However, by cross-referencing serial number prefixes, patent dates, and physical design changes, you can accurately narrow down your firearm's age. Where to Find the Serial Number

To get an accurate reading, you must look in three primary locations:

The Butt of the Grip: The most common location for a quick check.

The Left Side of the Grip Strap: You must remove the grips to find the full serial number, which often includes a critical letter prefix not visible on the outside.

The Bottom of the Trigger Guard: Used on various models like the Champion series.

Under the Top Strap: Visible only when the action is open and the cylinder is removed. The Iver Johnson Serial Number Database Guide

Based on W.E. Goforth’s authoritative research, the serial number's format often reveals the production era.

Dating an Iver Johnson revolver is notoriously difficult because the company often restarted serial number sequences annually or by model variation. To find the exact production year, you must cross-reference the serial number prefix with specific physical design features

that define the three major "Models" of the Safety Automatic line. Step 1: Locate the Full Serial Number The number on the bottom of the trigger guard butt of the frame

is often incomplete. For an accurate date, you must find the serial number with its letter prefix Under the Left Grip:

Remove the left grip panel. The full serial number with its identifying letter is usually stamped on the left side of the grip frame. Under the Top Strap: Unlocking the Past: The BEST Iver Johnson Revolver

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

You must first determine which "Model" you have to know which serial database to use. Production Years Key Features Propellant First Model 1894–1895 Single top-post latch; owl on grip faces the barrel. Black Powder only. Second Model 1896–1908 Double top-post latch; owl faces the barrel. Black Powder only. Third Model 1909–1941

Owl faces the shooter; coil mainspring; 4 cross pins in frame. Smokeless Powder Step 3: Serial Number Database & Letter Prefixes

Iver Johnson used letter prefixes to denote specific years or frame sizes within these models. Second Model (Black Powder) If your revolver has a double top-post latch owl faces the barrel

, it was made between 1896 and 1908. Common prefixes include: No Prefix:

Often indicates the very early 1896 production or specific variations. Roughly corresponds to 1897, 1898, and 1899. Used for runs in 1898, 1899, and 1902. Indicates the 1906 manufacturing run (~100,000 guns). Third Model (Smokeless Powder) The Third Model (1909–1941) is the most common. If the owl faces the shooter , use these prefixes:

Need helping finding correct make and model of my iver johnson

The serial number on the bottom of the trigger guard has no letter prefix, but it does under the grip.

Finding reliable information for an Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database can be a challenge because the company's records were not maintained as centrally as major competitors like Colt or Smith & Wesson. However, by understanding the specific patterns of letter prefixes and physical frame characteristics, you can accurately date most of these "Owl’s Head" revolvers. The "True" Serial Number Location

Before checking a database, you must find the true serial number. While numbers often appear on the trigger guard or the butt of the grip, these parts were frequently replaced.

Reliable Location: Remove the left grip panel. The full serial number, including the critical letter prefix, is usually stamped directly onto the left side of the metal grip frame.

Secondary Locations: Check under the top strap (open the action and remove the cylinder) or on the bottom receiver tang. Iver Johnson Serial Number Dating Key

Iver Johnson used a system of letter prefixes to indicate the decade and specific year of production. Prefix Type Production Era No Prefix 1909 – 1919 Generally Third Model "Smokeless" frames. Single Letter 1920 – 1929 E.g., Prefix "C" often indicates 1926. Two Letters 1930 – 1939 Used for later production Safety Automatic models. All Letters 1940 – 1950

Often seen on "Champion" series shotguns and late revolvers. Identifying the Three Main "Safety Automatic" Models

The most common Iver Johnson revolvers are the Safety Automatic series (1894–1941). Identifying the "Model" is often easier than finding an exact year. Question: Iver Johnson 32 cal top break - SASS Forum

Title: Unlocking History: The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database

For firearms enthusiasts, collectors, and historians, few names evoke the image of early 20th-century American reliability quite like Iver Johnson. Known as the "gun that never jams," these revolvers were ubiquitous in the homes and pockets of everyday Americans from the late 1800s through the mid-20th century.

However, for anyone trying to identify the specific history of a found or inherited firearm, Iver Johnson presents a unique challenge. Unlike modern manufacturers with centralized digital archives, Iver Johnson’s records are fragmented. This is why compiling and understanding the Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database is considered the "BEST" resource for collectors—it is the key to unlocking the history of these working-class classics.

Important Safety Warning

When researching these serial numbers, you will often encounter the phrase "Hammer the Hammer."

Iver Johnson revolvers, particularly those made before WWII, were designed for black powder cartridges. While the "Safety Automatic"