Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database Best
The primary reason a dedicated database is essential is that Iver Johnson serial numbers are not unique across models. A serial number like "12345" could theoretically exist on a First Model Safety Automatic, a Second Model, and a bicycle gun, all manufactured in different years. Furthermore, Iver Johnson produced firearms under various trade names for large retailers like Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery Ward.
Relying solely on the number stamped on the grip or frame often leads to misidentification. A robust database does not just list numbers; it cross-references those numbers with specific mechanical features to provide an accurate date of manufacture. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
There is no single, official, complete public database of Iver Johnson revolver serial numbers. Factory records were largely lost or destroyed when the company ceased operations. However, collectors have reconstructed partial serial number ranges and production date charts, primarily for the top-break models (Safety Automatic, Second Model, Third Model). The “best” available resource is a combination of: The primary reason a dedicated database is essential
No online database is fully searchable or complete. No online database is fully searchable or complete
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.
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Years of production | 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 |
⚠️ Important: Iver Johnson reused serial numbers across different models. A serial number alone is useless without knowing the model and patent dates.
