Old Iver Johnson

[cruzans]

Always like the odd ball guns. My first Iver Johnson pistol. Liked the look of this little bicycle gun. The bluing is pretty evenly lost so I think it will be a great candidate for some 0000 steel wool then my favorite oxpho blue. It will give it that nice blue look but retain the age and worn look. Heck, the grips alone are worth the price I paid.
Question for the experts - I'm going to research year of manufacture but I'm going to say it's probably a 22 black powder pistol. Rather than hunt for black powder loads, I was thinking of doing what I have done with some of my other older 22's and just shoot every now and then with 22 shorts. Safe?

[39flathead]

That's what I do, shorts in old timey .22's, or ratshot.

[Delkal]

I don't think they made .22's loaded with black powder after about 1900-1910. I'm pretty sure your pistol was made after that. Still Iver Johnsons are not known for their strength............

Is it chambered as a .22 short or long? Can you even get a .22 LR to chamber?

Whatever you do don't fire high velocity 22lr (but you already knew that). CCI makes a 22 LR "quiet" round that just might be the one your looking for (if it will chamber). It shoots a 40 grain bullet at 710 fps vs 1070 for their standard velocity. Should be much lower pressure but you should search it before you try it. If not shoot shorts or CB caps.

Be careful with shorts though. They might not be as low pressure as you think. Aguila is even making a "high velocity" short that shoots at 1100 fps.

[indianjack]

I don't think they made .22's loaded with black powder after about 1900-1910. I'm pretty sure your pistol was made after that. Still Iver Johnsons are not known for their strength............

Is it chambered as a .22 short or long? Can you even get a .22 LR to chamber?

Whatever you do don't fire high velocity 22lr (but you already knew that). CCI makes a 22 LR "quiet" round that just might be the one your looking for (if it will chamber). It shoots a 40 grain bullet at 710 fps vs 1070 for their standard velocity. Should be much lower pressure but you should search it before you try it. If not shoot shorts or CB caps.

Be careful with shorts though. They might not be as low pressure as you think. Aguila is even making a "high velocity" short that shoots at 1100 fps.

Are you saying that size doesn't matter after all?

[cruzans]

I don't think they made .22's loaded with black powder after about 1900-1910. I'm pretty sure your pistol was made after that. Still Iver Johnsons are not known for their strength............

Is it chambered as a .22 short or long? Can you even get a .22 LR to chamber?

Whatever you do don't fire high velocity 22lr (but you already knew that). CCI makes a 22 LR "quiet" round that just might be the one your looking for (if it will chamber). It shoots a 40 grain bullet at 710 fps vs 1070 for their standard velocity. Should be much lower pressure but you should search it before you try it. If not shoot shorts or CB caps.

Be careful with shorts though. They might not be as low pressure as you think. Aguila is even making a "high velocity" short that shoots at 1100 fps.

Should be at the house in a couple days - love that C&R license Will have to check it out - just assumed it was 22L - will see ...... thanks!

[cruzans]

Thank you mail lady - arrived at my door today. Perfect candidate for small facelift - 0000 steel wool and oxpho. Can't wait to spruce her up a bit this weekend but keep some of the charm of this old gun .........

[wa3ra]

Pretty!

CCi CB .22 Shorts have just over a 700 ft/sec velocity at the muzzle, they'd be a good choice!

[cruzans]

Pretty!

CCi CB .22 Shorts have just over a 700 ft/sec velocity at the muzzle, they'd be a good choice!

Thanks, I'll check them out. Yeah, the way the blue is lost, I think it will clean up real nice then oxpho will give it that old but even blue - can't wait

[cruzans]

So, between last night and tonight I've spent about 45 minutes doing some minor touch ups. I think it's where I want it. Still looks old, but now has a decent blued look I love my 0000 steel wool and oxpho blue.

before:


after:

[knight0334]

Nice job!

Unfortunately, the two men who knew these guns are no longer with us. ...Bill Goforth and Jim Hauff.

However Goforth wrote a book on these, and you can probably figure out the production date and BP/smokeless status from it. Or you could ask the guys over at thefirearmsforum.com for their opinion. ...be sure to post pics and the serial # if you post there.