US Revolver

Question
I have a US Revolver stamped B1001 under the left grip.  There is a firing pin on the hammer and it is a revolver that appears to be a .32 cal.  Can you tell me more about it?  I am aware of the Iver Johnson relationship but can't find resources on the model number, date of manufacture, caliber, schematics (it was taken apart and in a coffee can for the last 40 years).  I would like to take what little nickel is still on it off and blue the gun for a project.  Hopefully getting it in firing condition.  Thanks for any information you can give me.
Kevin

Answer
OK...

The letter prefix indicates it was made after 1917, making it a second series. They were made between 1917 and 1935, in a large and small frame size. Before you do work on it. take it to a gunsmith. Have him examine it to see if it is shootable or just a wall hanger. I would not put money into it...I have owned one of them and seen quite a few and they are not something I would want to shoot. I think it's a .32 S&W caliber...NOT .32 long and REALLY not .32 ACP-they were not that strong when new.

A little background on US Revolver firearms...they were a low end "economy" brand made by Iver Johnson to sell very cheaply.To do this, thy eliminated a lot of the desirable features of the IJ revolver - NO safety system, no rebounding hammer, not as well finished. There is little or no collector interest in them, and in less than perfect as new condition, not much value. I really would not spend money on it, and although I might shoot a cylinder's worth of rounds through it, but no more than that. I would NOT use it for any serious purpose and certainly not carry it.

FWIW, I have carried some very old top break revolvers and certainly will again from time to time, but not a US Revolver model. They are of some historical interest, but they were never that good to begin with and I would not recommend using it more than once at the range...and that is AFTER I had someone check it first.

Sorry to not be more specific on model and age, but with what you gave me, that's all I can tell you.There is very little info on them, AFAIK.

I THINK Numrich might still have some parts... www.gunpartscorp.com ... and their schematic drawings might give you an idea of assembly and what model you have.
Oh, yeah...be very careful with the grips. they are hard rubber and dried out and very brittle and they WILL crack with little effort, and will probably cost more than the gun is worth to replace...it any still exist.


Mark