Unknown 22 revolver?

[Dave in NGA]

I have a friend who purchased a 22 revolver new about fifty years ago. He has described it as an 8 shot with wood grips and very well made. The only marks on it are a few letters such as I and J. The makers name is not present but it is marked made in Mass. Anyone have any notion who made this gun? I hope to see it next week and get a better look.

[dave]

without a pic or detailed discription you may as well ask the wall! I&J? Iver-Johnson? any gun made in US 50 yrs. ago should have a name.

[Tuna]

Iver's Johnson made many different models in .22 from the 50's to the mid 70's. Single action and double actions were made. Some with wood grips and some with plasic. Barrels in general were 4.5" or 6" long. Quality at that time was pretty good over all.

[Ron James]

That is odd, Most if not all of the Iver Johnson revolvers I have seen are marked Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works. Any chance of a picture?

[Dave in NGA]

I'm leaning towards Iver Johnson as the manufacturer. The owner says it has no name on it. Seems strange to me but I will be seeing this piece tomorrow. He's looking to sell and I'm interested since I've never owned an Iver Johnson. Would really like to discover it is one of their top break models. I'll let you know what happens.

[wiley]

IVER JOHNSON ARMS, INC.

Previously manufactured in Fitchburg, MA, 1883-1984 and Jacksonville, AR 1984-1993. Formerly Johnson Bye & Co. 1871-1883. Renamed Iver Johnson & Co. in 1871 until 1891. Renamed Iver Johnson´s Arms & Cycle Works in 1891 with manufacturing moving to Fitchburg, MA. In 1975 the name changed to Iver Johnson´s Arms, Inc., and two years later, company facilities were moved to Middlesex, NJ. In 1982, production was moved to Jacksonville, AR under the trade name Iver Johnson Arms, Inc. In 1983, Universal Firearms, Inc. was acquired by Iver Johnson Arms, Inc.


TARGET SEALED 8
- .22 LR cal., 8 shot, 6 or 10 in. barrel, blue, fixed sights, rubber grips. Mfg. 1931-57.
Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
$150 $100 $95 $80 $75 $65 $60

Add 50% for 10 in. barrel

They did make other models, but these were basically solid frame and the cykinder pin was used to poke emptys out of the cylinder. The break actions were done earlier.

[dave]

Unless the letters IJ were are written something like I. J., I would doubt it was an Iver J. I have never seen one w/o the full name, but what the h*ll is that worth! hehehe!

[Dave in NGA]

Well I bought this guys 22 revolver. It is marked across the top strap; (I. J. Sealed 8) above (I J A&C WKS) (Fitchburg, Mass USA). So it looks to be an Iver Johnson made somewhere in the 1950's. It is solidly made but very utilitarian. About the same aesthetics as a brick. Don't know why I bought it except the price was really good (low). Looks like the kind of gun I'd throw in a tackle box and forget about. Thanks for everyone's help in figuring out what this thing is.

[pmclaine]

The Iver Johnson factory in Fitchburg, MA still exists. Its abandoned, probably a fire hazard, and just at the edge of some of the most fertile selling grounds for drug dealers.

We traded manufacturing for black market pharmaceuticals. Yeah, getting rid of guns made the streets safer.

[Dave in NGA]

Too many of our historical factories are now abandoned and blighted sites. Our nation is much the poorer for the loss of its manufacturing capacity. I seem to remember one of the classes I had in school way back when on how a nation creates wealth and manufacturing was the number one way. Not only have we lost jobs, but our nation has lost it's way. Just my rant, Sorry.

[Dave in NGA]

Well, I just fired this Iver Johnson Sealed 8 revolver. Wow, It ain't a Smith & Wesson! I'm thinking it's too basic for my needs or I've been spoiled by owning any number of other revolvers and the Iver Johnson is just one step removed from a slingshot.

I think the next guy who asks me if I know of anyone who has a small revolver for sale will be owning this fine example of the gunmaker's art. I sure am glad I got it cheap.

I seem to recall having a small RG 22 that impressed me more than this thing. I'm thinking if I ever have to shoot an intruder in my home this would make a great throw down piece.