Iver Johnson Safety Hammerless
Iver Johnson Arms · Revolver · Discontinued · 1895
Also known as: Iver Johnson Safety Automatic Hammerless, Hammer the Hammer, Iver Johnson Automatic Safety Hammerless
Overview
The Iver Johnson Safety Hammerless is a top-break, double-action-only pocket revolver produced by Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works from the 1890s until 1941. Part of the Safety Automatic series, it pairs a fully concealed internal hammer with Iver Johnson's patented "Hammer the Hammer" transfer-bar safety, which blocks the hammer from contacting the cartridge until the trigger is fully pulled, and an automatic ejector that lifts the empty cases when the action is broken open. The small-frame, five-shot model was chambered in .32 S&W (a larger five-shot version was offered in .38 S&W), making it one of the most popular and affordable concealed-carry revolvers of its era.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 347 g (12.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 162 mm (6.38") |
| Barrel Length | 76 mm (2.99") |
| Height | 83 mm (3.27") |
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Only |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 207 m/s (679 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 118 J (87 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 90 m (98 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Nickel |
Calibers
- .32 S&W · primary — also known as .32 S&W Short
- .38 S&W — also known as .38/200, 9x20mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar, Concealed Hammer, Trigger Safety
- Features: Top Break Action, Automatic Ejector, Internal Hammer, Fixed Sights, Pocket Size
Variants
- Iver Johnson Safety Automatic Hammer - Exposed Hammer
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market
Production
Production years: 1895-1941
Safety Automatic series (hammer and hammerless) produced from 1894; the First Model alone accounted for roughly 250,000 units in its first years of production
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Andrew Fyrberg
Discontinued: 1941
Notes
Designed for black-powder cartridges; firing modern smokeless .32 S&W loads can damage the cylinder. The trigger-mounted safety predates the Glock trigger safety by over a century. Produced in First, Second and Third Model variations distinguished by latch and frame details.
Background
Iver Johnson marketed its Safety Automatic revolvers with the famous "Hammer the Hammer" advertising campaign, showing a carpenter using the loaded revolver to drive a nail to prove the transfer-bar safety made an accidental discharge impossible.