LARGE FRAME IVER JOHNSON 38 S&W

Question
I inherited an old pistol my grandpa carried in his truck. It has " IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS, FITCHBURG MASS USA" STAMMPED ON BARREL, "H43083" on inside handle post, "PAT NOV 17 ??" on bottom of handle post. It is a 38 S &W break top pistol. I have lots of guns but I抦 not into pistols much. I'm looking to find out when it was made, how much it cost at that time, and most importantly how to find a free diagram and instructions to take it apart! I would like to take it apart and re-blue it to give to my son when he is old enough to cherish it and care for it! Thanks in advance for your help!!! Jason

Answer
Hello Jason.
  Thank you for the information you provided. Your revolver is a large frame 'Safety Automatic Hammer Revolver'. The single line date, 'PAT NOV 17,08', puts it in the 1911-1941 time frame. I believe it to be a 'Third model'. The 'H' preceding the serial number should put the manufacture date at 1930, with around 1,300 made. The price when new? These were good quality, serviceable, revolvers, but they were not high dollar like a Smith&Wesson or Colt. Probably in the $30-$40 range. As far as a 'free' diagram and instructions to take it apart, I have not found any on the Internet. However, I did find a book by B. Goforth that is considered the #1 source of information on H&R and Iver Johnson firearms. The best price I found was $34.95 at www.gunshowbooks.com.
  Unless it is in very poor condition, my advise would be not to take it apart to re-blue it. Parts are very hard to match if you were to loose one, and the value of your revolver now is only between $50-$100 with no collector's interest. Check with a competent licensed gunsmith for his opinion and the price to re-blue. There are 'cold bluing' products available. You can do this yourself. But nothing matches the quality and luster of a 'hot vat' blue. Whatever you choose, I'm sure your son will enjoy it very much!
  I hope this has answered your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage