Pistol Identification Iver Johnson Serial Number Chart Extra Quality May 2026

Whether you own a black powder era “Owl’s Head” or a post-WWII Supreme, proper identification enhances both safe operation and collector value. This document is a guide based on the best available collector data. Always have an antique firearm inspected by a qualified gunsmith before firing.

Introduction Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works (later Iver Johnson’s Arms, Inc.) of Fitchburg and later Worcester, Massachusetts, produced millions of firearms from 1871 to 1993. Their top-break revolvers and semi-automatic pistols are among the most commonly encountered antique and collectible handguns in the United States. However, identifying the exact model, production year, and safe ammunition type can be challenging due to overlapping serial number ranges, multiple “hammer the hammer” safety generations, and incomplete factory records. pistol identification iver johnson serial number chart