Here is the definitive ranking of the available to the public. #1: The Goforth Serial Number Reference (The Gold Standard) If you ask any serious Iver Johnson collector, "Which database is best?" the answer will be unanimous: the research of the late William S. "Bill" Goforth . His book, "Iver Johnson: Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993" (privately published, now available via digital archives and forums), contains the most exhaustive serial number vs. date tables ever compiled.
Whether you’re trying to date a family heirloom, ensure you’re using the correct ammunition, or appraise a find from an estate sale, start with the serial number under the top strap. Then, open your browser to TheFirearmsForum or Proofhouse, and watch history unfold. Iver Johnson Revolver Serial Number Database BEST
Your Iver Johnson revolver isn’t just a gun—it’s a mechanical time capsule. The right database is the key to opening it. Here is the definitive ranking of the available
However, the best database isn't a government website; it is a collective, community-sourced effort built by dedicated historians like and the members of the Iver Johnson Collectors Association . His book, "Iver Johnson: Arms & Cycle Works