Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database Best May 2026

The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database represents the collective effort of historians to preserve the legacy of a firearm that protected countless American homes. While the records may not be as pristine as those of high-end manufacturers, the "best" databases provide a critical roadmap. By combining serial numbers with mechanical features, collectors can turn a rusty old "safety automatic" into a verified piece of American history.

Identifying the manufacture date of an Iver Johnson revolver is notoriously difficult because many official factory records no longer exist. However, by cross-referencing serial number prefixes, patent dates, and physical design changes, you can accurately narrow down your firearm's age. Where to Find the Serial Number

To get an accurate reading, you must look in three primary locations:

The Butt of the Grip: The most common location for a quick check.

The Left Side of the Grip Strap: You must remove the grips to find the full serial number, which often includes a critical letter prefix not visible on the outside.

The Bottom of the Trigger Guard: Used on various models like the Champion series. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST

Under the Top Strap: Visible only when the action is open and the cylinder is removed. The Iver Johnson Serial Number Database Guide

Based on W.E. Goforth’s authoritative research, the serial number's format often reveals the production era.

I understand the interest in tracing the history of an Iver Johnson revolver, especially given their popularity from the 1880s to the mid-20th century. However, I need to provide an important clarification upfront:

There is no official, complete, publicly searchable online database where you can simply type a serial number and instantly get the full history of an Iver Johnson revolver. Most of the company’s original production records were lost, destroyed, or never systematically digitized.

That said, collectors and researchers have compiled partial serial number references that can help date your revolver. Below is the best available guide to using those resources effectively. The Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database represents

For a quick, searchable, no-nonsense digital tool, Proofhouse.com 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.

Proofhouse has compiled date tables for:

Why it’s among the BEST: You simply scroll to the Iver Johnson section, find your revolver type, and match your serial number to the chart. It’s clean, runs on any browser, and is completely free.

Limitation: It does not cover post-1941 models (like the Trailsman 66 or Supershot Sealed Eight). For those, you need specialized forums.

Based on collector Bill Goforth’s research (author of Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms): Why it’s among the BEST: You simply scroll

| Approx. Date | .32 Serial Range | .38 Serial Range | |--------------|------------------|------------------| | 1896 | 1–10,000 | 1–5,000 | | 1900 | 30,000–40,000 | 15,000–20,000 | | 1905 | 80,000–90,000 | 35,000–40,000 | | 1910 | 140,000–150,000 | 55,000–60,000 | | 1915 | 200,000–210,000 | 80,000–85,000 | | 1920 | 250,000–260,000 | 100,000–105,000 | | 1925 | 290,000–300,000 | 115,000–120,000 | | 1930 | 320,000–330,000 | 130,000–135,000 | | 1935 | 340,000–350,000 | 140,000–145,000 | | 1940 | 358,000–365,000 | 154,000–158,000 |

Note: These are approximate ranges, not exact boundaries.

These are derived from Goforth’s research and collector logs. They apply to Iver Johnson’s top-break, hammer-driven revolvers (not the solid-frame “Trailsman” or late-model automatics).

If you are holding a top-break, hammerless, or solid-frame revolver stamped with the iconic "Iver Johnson" name, you are holding a piece of American industrial history. For over 80 years, Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, produced some of the most popular and affordable firearms in the United States. From "The Owl Head" to the famous "Safety Automatic" models, these revolvers are beloved by collectors, Cowboy Action shooters, and historians.

However, for the average owner, one question looms larger than all others: How old is my Iver Johnson revolver, and where can I find the BEST Iver Johnson revolver serial number database?

Unlike Smith & Wesson or Colt, Iver Johnson’s records have been incomplete, scattered, and often lost to factory fires and corporate closures. But don’t despair. This guide will walk you through the most accurate, vetted, and comprehensive resources available—the BEST databases that collectors trust.