Help me solve an identification mystery

[schavey]

I was rumaging through old boxes of junk, in the attic of my granparents last home. I came upon an old revolver--bluing almost gone . It is da/sa capable, but the cylinder timing is probably way off. The identifiers are on the strap-
saying "made in usa" and "U. S. Revolver co." my research tells me that the U.S.. Revolver co. Was affiliated in some way, with the original iver & johnson co., which deepens the mystery. I&j was famous for producing s&w copies, mostly breaktop revolvers, yet this pistol i found is a conventional design, with a removable cylinder for unloading. There are no other identifiers--except for a banged-up serial number on the bottom of the trigger guard. The cylinder is too short for a 38 special round, so i am assuming it was made for a 38 short.

My question is--do we have any gun historians who might be able to tell me more---or who could suggest someone who could ??

THANKS FOR READING

 

[flyandscuba]

From the Blue Book of Gun Values:

"IVER JOHNSON ARMS CYCLE WORKS HANDGUNS SOLID FRAME DOUBLE ACTION MODELS MFG 1878 1978 US REVOLVER CO DOUBLE ACTION
.22 rimfire (small frame), .32 centerfire (medium or large frame), or .38 centerfire (large frame), 5 (.32 or .38 cal.), 6 (.32 cal.), or 7 (.22 cal.) shot, 2 1/2 in. round barrel with unfluted cylinder, hard rubber grip panels with U.S. on top or optional two-piece oversized hard rubber grips, does not have hammer the hammer action, approx. 17 oz. Mfg. 1911-1935."

 

[schavey]

From the Blue Book of Gun Values:

"IVER JOHNSON ARMS CYCLE WORKS HANDGUNS SOLID FRAME DOUBLE ACTION MODELS MFG 1878 1978 US REVOLVER CO DOUBLE ACTION
.22 rimfire (small frame), .32 centerfire (medium or large frame), or .38 centerfire (large frame), 5 (.32 or .38 cal.), 6 (.32 cal.), or 7 (.22 cal.) shot, 2 1/2 in. round barrel with unfluted cylinder, hard rubber grip panels with U.S. on top or optional two-piece oversized hard rubber grips, does not have hammer the hammer action, approx. 17 oz. Mfg. 1911-1935."

Thanks so much for your contribution. This pistol has a 2 inch barrel, but is not hammerless. The grip panels are as described, with the circular US logo on each side.

 

[MAXman]

Shavey, seems like a obvious question , but have you tried scouring gunbroker to see if anything on there is like yours, and what those sellers have tonsay about it?

Also, I kind of hate the man who goes through his attic and finds a snub nose.

 

[schavey]

Shavey, seems like a obvious question , but have you tried scouring gunbroker to see if anything on there is like yours, and what those sellers have tonsay about it?

Also, I kind of hate the man who goes through his attic and finds a snub nose.

Thanks for your input, MAXman. Yes--I have checked ads for I&J pieces, and the many tapes on YOUtube.. I have yet to see one exactly like this one, but it's amazing how many different breaktops they made. Please do not hate me too much. This piece needs a lot of investment to even try to make it safely shootable. And then there is the ammo problem. I'm not sure .38 short is even made by anyone. It would be a real nice shadowbox wall hanger, though, reblued and cleaned up.

 

[MAXman]

The next time I'm in guns-n-such in Milton I'll see if he has any. He has a lot of ammo, all over priced, but I'll check it out.
If I remember correctly..... 38 long colt, 38 short and 38 smith and Wesson are all the same?

 

[schavey]

The next time I'm in guns-n-such in Milton I'll see if he has any. He has a lot of ammo, all over priced, but I'll check it out.
If I remember correctly..... 38 long colt, 38 short and 38 smith and Wesson are all the same?

I don't think so. They are the same [.357] bullet caliber, but the brass are not the same lengths.

 

[MAXman]

Hmm.

Wikipedia says ten x and remmington make loads for it.
Midway claims both are in stock.


If you get a chance I'd love to see a picture of it.

 

[schavey]

Hmm.

Wikipedia says ten x and remmington make loads for it.
Midway claims both are in stock.


If you get a chance I'd love to see a picture of it.

Thanks for the info. Where should I send the picture??