Identification help required

[rk]

Hi,
One of my friends got his handgun license last week, and he has transferred a revolver which belonged to his grandfather, to his license.

The revolver is question is a chrome plated one with black plastic like grip.
The grip has a picture of an 'owl face' embossed on it.

"Model 1900 Fitchburg Mass USA"
"IJ Double Action"
is engraved on top of the barrel.
The serial number is engraved on the trigger guard.
It has a cylinder with a capacity of 5 rounds.
The barrel is 2.5" long.
No other markings are available.

The licensing officials have entered this as a .32 NPB revolver in the license. But my friend has a doubt since the .32 ammo he tried, fits very loosely in the cylinder (loose enough to fall off). He has not tried shooting it yet, and is waiting for more information.

I request the knowledgeable members to provide some detailed information on this revolver.
Thanks in advance,
regards,
rk

[mundaire]

Does it look like this?

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewIt ... =107295665

Its an Iver Johnson revolver (made in USA). It's most probably chambered for the .32 S&W "short".

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Mark]

I gave one of these to Mehul as a birthday present a while ago (in a lot better shape I must add!) The caliber of that one was a 38 S&W, which is like a 38 special only about 1/10" shorter, so 38 special ammo doesn't fit, but it is bigger than 32.

[mundaire]

Just googled a bit and found this: http://tinyurl.com/6rwhhb

It seems that this particular model was available in the following calibres:

Topbreaks Model 1900 Double Action Revolvers

This model replaced the "Boston Bull Dog" and the "American Bull Dog" revolvers from which almost two millions have been sold

As extra 4 1/2 or 6" barrel, Perfect" rubber grib, blued

.22 S&W long or .22 long rifle or .22 long or .22 short caliber, no safety hammer, 7 shot, nickeled and 2 1/2" barrel as standard, grip rubber

.32 Colt new police or .32 S&W long or .32 S&W or .32 long rim fire or .32 short rim fire caliber, no safety hammer, 5 shot, nickeled and 2 1/2" barrel as standard, grip rubber

.38 S&W caliber, no safety hammer, 5 shot, nickeled and 2 1/2" barrel as standard, grip rubber

HTH

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[dev]

Normally five shots are 38 specials or 357 from whut I remember.

Do not fire the 32 carts in it for a long life

Dev

[Sid_kapur30]

38 specials or 357 from whut I remember.

Dev

Now can someone tell this copywriter brother to write properly... Sire Bana Your presence is required immediately....

Cheers
Siddharth

[dev]

I don't remember going to the kumbh mela

Dev

[mundaire]

Normally five shots are 38 specials or 357 from whut I remember.

Do not fire the 32 carts in it for a long life

Dev

Five shot .32's are not unheard of and as you can see from the list I posted both the .38 cal and .32 cal versions of this model were 5 shot revolvers... what is more likely is that it may be chambered for one of the other (less popular) .32 cal revolver cartridges mentioned on the list above. However, in the absence of any calibre markings on said gun I wouldn't discount the possibility of it being a .38...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[rk]

Thanks for all the input.
Abhijeet, the revolver looks like the one in the picture shown in the link.
One thing I forgot to post earlier was that the revolver has a hexagonal barrel, (as in the picture in the link).
Any pointers on how to figure out the correct caliber and ammo type to be used?
Thanks & regards,
rk

[Sakobav]

rk

http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?p=21675 for checking the bore

Its a good idea to search IFG for any such information .

Best

[HSharief]

I read somewhere this guy had an "Ivory Johnson".

[rk]

Hi,
Thanks for all the inputs.
regards,
rk

[TwoRivers]

I read somewhere this guy had an "Ivory Johnson".

Don't you wish!!!