Iver Johnson Topbreak ???

[Masterblaster1]

I have recently come into possesion of a Nikeled Iver Johnson Hammerless 5 shot revolver with the trigger safety. It is a 5 shot Double action .38 S&W. I am trying to idenetify how old it its and if it is worth anything but havent found much on it.  Here are the details R 5571 stamped on grip frame, on butt of grip it reads, Pat June 16 96 Aug 25 96.  On underside of topstrap is says 31765. On barrel rib it says, Iver Johnsons Arms &Cycle Works  Fitchburg, Mass USA   It  has unlike others i have seen, instead of a owl face on the  grips it is a bulldog face. The mainspring is a leafspring, the latching mechanism has two locking pillars. Any help in identifying this Revolver would be much appreciated.  Will try and get a picture later my digital camera is mia...

[dogngun]

I think you may have a later gun - if the cylinder locks up when the gun is at rest, it is probably safe for modern ammo - if it free wheels till lockup, it is probably a black powder cartridge revolver. Check here:
http://iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com/
to ask your questions - this guy  wrote the book and he knows the answers.
FWIW, I think the grips may have been replaced at some point.

I have an 1899 IJ hammer .38 and I think they were way ahead of their time in engineering.

mark

[WD45]

I have several of these little pocket guns in 32 S&W but there is no actual marking on them as to what cal they are chambered for. The only one that has the cal marked on it is a H&R top break in 38 S&W. Cute little things arent they