: Typically located on the bottom of the grip frame (butt) or on the trigger guard. However, numbers stamped here often exclude the vital letter prefix.
When asking for help on a forum, provide the complete serial number with the letter prefix, good photos of the gun and all markings, and any observations you've made about the features mentioned above.
Before you can use any database, you must first find the correct number. If you have looked at the bottom of the trigger guard or the butt of the gun, you may have seen a number. However, in the vast majority of Iver Johnson revolvers manufactured after 1896, that is the "real" serial number.
Iver Johnson produced a more affordable line under the name "U.S. Revolver Co." These are mechanically similar to the Safety Automatics but often have fewer frills. They share serial number systems and can be identified using the same methods. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
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
Goforth’s book provides the only reliable serial number ranges correlated with production years. It details the subtle differences between models (such as the "Safety Automatic" series) which is required to properly date the firearm.
Attribution, licensing & community contributions : Typically located on the bottom of the
Maintenance & future enhancements
If you have found the letter prefix under the grip, you can estimate the year of manufacture.
For a quick, searchable, no-nonsense digital tool, hosts one of the best online Iver Johnson serial number databases. While not as granular as Goforth’s books, it covers the most popular models. Before you can use any database, you must
Usually manufactured between 1930 and 1939 .
Websites like OpticsBible offer "Serial Number Database" tables that provide year-of-manufacture estimates based on serial numbers or prefixes. Similarly, hosts a visual encyclopedia of Iver Johnson models with accompanying history, which helps in model identification before you even check the serial number.
A: The U.S. Gun Control Act of 1968 mandated serial numbers on all firearms, but many Iver Johnsons were made decades before that. If you cannot find a number in the locations described, it's likely an early model that was never given one. In this case, you must rely on other features like barrel markings and patent dates to date it.