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My new - old - first model Iver Johnson .32 S&W (1894)

The first model Iver Johnson .32 S&W “short” was made only during 1894. Approximately 100,000 of these little revolvers were made. It was made only for black powder cartridges and should never be fired with higher pressure smokeless powders. They are sometimes referred to as the Iver Johnson Owl’s Head because of the owl’s head on the grip of the pistol. This also helps to date the pistol as early models have the owl’s head facing towards the pistol, while in later models the owl’s head is facing downward. These are small, pocket sized revolvers that have a break-open top which reveals the 5-shot cylinder. These early revolvers were nickel plated and therefore almost all that can be found now, 120 years later, will have corrosion on the nickel plating. Some can be found that have been re-plated, but for collectors value, just leave the rust on there. It is a badge of honor.

The most notable history of this first model Iver Johnson .32 is that it was this pistol that assassin and self-proclaimed anarchist Leon Czolgosz used to shoot and wound President William McKinley in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. McKinley succumbed to these wounds nearly 8 days later, on September 14th, 1901. Czolgosz had purchased the revolver, serial number 463344, four days earlier for $4.50.

Mine wears serial number 33946 so mine was made much earlier in the year than Czolgosz’s. It is in pretty good condition considering its age, although I have no intention of trying to fire it. It will become a part of my collection.

Tags: .32, Iver, Johnson, S&W

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Replies to This Discussion

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on November 10, 2014 at 22:51

Neat gun Data. Thanks for the post.

Permalink Reply by bruce Godlesky on November 11, 2014 at 4:43

I was raised about 2 mile away from the little coal mine town of Guffey Pennsylvania, where he plotted his crime. At one time it was a bustling metropolis, now consists of 2 houses and an Italian -American Club. How times have changed!!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on March 21, 2015 at 21:07

Data - I am just now getting around to posting a pic of my only revolver. It is an Iver Johnson Cadet .22LR Model 55-SA. Form what I understand, it is the same type of gun used to assassinate Robert Kennedy. I was trying to do a little research on it to see how old it was. It seems that is was made somewhere between 1961 and 1978? Not as old as your Iver Johnson, but I like it. Yours is very cool.

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on March 21, 2015 at 21:32