Iver Johnson made single-shot shotguns (Champion) and doubles (Hercules, Skeeter). Serial numbers are less standardized.
Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works, founded in 1871, was a titan of affordable American manufacturing, producing millions of revolvers, shotguns, and even bicycles. For modern collectors and historians, the is the primary key to unlocking a specific piece's age and historical context. Where to Find the Serial Number
Most Iver Johnson collectibles are top-break revolvers (Safety Automatic, Safety Hammerless) and solid-frame small revolers (Cadet, Trailsman).
Dating an Iver Johnson firearm or bicycle via its serial number can be complex, as there is no single, centralized manufacturer database remaining. Identification often requires cross-referencing serial numbers, letter prefixes, and mechanical features with expert-compiled guides like the book by W.E. Goforth . Common Serial Number Locations iver johnson serial number
The CABE (Classic and Antique Bicycle Exchange) maintains extensive threads dedicated specifically to dating Iver Johnson bikes.
Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works (later Iver Johnson’s Arms, Inc.) was a prolific American firearm manufacturer based in Fitchburg and later Worcester, Massachusetts. Active from 1871 to 1993, they produced millions of revolvers, shotguns, and pistols. Unlike a single unified system, Iver Johnson serial numbers are .
Commonly found on the trigger guard , the underside of the barrel , or under the forearm . For modern collectors and historians, the is the
Iver Johnson used letter prefixes (e.g., "N10351" or "XH") to denote specific production years or models. For example, certain two-letter suffixes on shotguns can narrow manufacture to the 1930s.
Iver Johnson frequently used prefix letters to denote production batches or specific years. 1. Revolver Identification (Safety Automatic Models)
Look on the bottom of the trigger guard , the bottom of the butt , or the left side of the grip strap (hidden under the plastic or wood grips). provided the original markings are intact.
This serial number system represents a shift from 19th-century batch tracking to 20th-century consumer-focused production. It was designed not just for factory inventory, but to verify the warranty status and safety configuration (black powder vs. smokeless powder) of the gun. The system is complicated by the fact that Iver Johnson reset serial number ranges for different models (e.g., the Hammer and Hammerless models had separate runs), meaning two guns can bear the exact same serial number but be manufactured years apart if one is a Hammer model and the other is a Hammerless.
"Safety Automatic" revolvers made between 1896 and 1908 (Second Model) are distinct from later Third Models (1909–1941) by their latching mechanisms and frame pins.
This system uses a single letter code embedded within the serial number to designate the specific year of manufacture. This feature allows collectors and historians to date a firearm to a specific year often without needing reference books, provided the original markings are intact.