I own several of the old revolvers. It would be fine to fire as long as you stick to black powder loads. I shoot all of mine on a regular basis with no issues even on the ones with corroded barrels.

Thank you you answered all my questions about the gun great job!

I can barely believe I found this video, I have looked at so many to see what the heck this is. I have this exact same model, nickel plated with that same hammer cover, single post ( site ) single lever up on the left side to break. I wanted to see the words across the top though. mine is not worn where yours is in the barrel but the nickel is pitted on top of the barrel. Mine reads like this X There is a X at both ends of the words, the X is centered between both lines of words between the ex's , also the X's are depressed in rectangle Box. Top line : IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS, FITCHBURG MASS, USA BOTTOM LINE: PAT'D APRIL,6, 86, FEB, 15, 87, MAY 10, 87, DEC 26 , ( ? 3 ) PAT'S PENDING See the ? in the last date ? I can't read that, i am almost certain the next number is 3 but the other one is questionable. If i was going to guess I would guess a 9. anyway, your title says yours is a 1896 - I was wondering how you came to that conclusion and if yours reads like mine across the top. Mine has a sticky trigger, doesn't return properly. I am thinking it will be fire able though with a cleaning and maybe a new spring. it;s not pretty like yours though, it;s nickel is coming off in several places. let me know if you can, I'd appreciate it. I found this in my Dad's night stand when I was cleaning stuff from his estate after he passed away , I was just a little curious and then the curiosity was increased by not being able to find one that looked just like it. with the front facing owl and the single post and that different rear hammer cover and all. i have not taken this apart yet, i don't have the tool to push the pins and I would probably not be able to reassemble it if i did take it apart without photos of every step. Mine also only has 1 number, i did take the grips off to see if there was a stamp serial under there but there is not. just the 4 digit number on the butt is all. great video, thanks a million

30-50$ for a new barrel. $100 gun, is it worth it! Haha. Very informative. I love seeing videos on these old Iver Johnson top break revolvers.

did you ever find a replacement latch spring? currently looking for one.

I have the first model and my trigger has that safety trigger, and it also has the trigger to where it has to be pushed forward to shoot again.

I have one but my serial number is only 4 digits? Any ideas?

Any insight in why the latch for my release keeps falling out?

I have a hard time looking for this gun. Please help me find one.

Yes I got a i ve r Johnson with the hammer exposed and the issue with it is it has damage of receding in the barrel and where the same gun you have has issues. The mechanism screw in the barrel that keeps it in in place going to try to find some schematics. If you like a pic I send you one

Sir I purchased a cyl and barrel for 40 bucks cause I needed the cylinder. It's not expensive

I want one of these for a house gun.

I have the same gun but in blue in 38 in good shape

Looking for one but I'd fix it for service personally

Yo tengo una igual,pero sin seguro,,en el gatillo ,

I know these guns...I bet someone chambered a .32 auto round in it.

Can I give mine away for Free?

When you say not semi auto what are u talkin about