Iver Johnson Defender 89
Iver Johnson Arms · Revolver · Discontinued · 1889
Also known as: Defender 89, Iver Johnson Defender, Defender '89
Overview
The Iver Johnson Defender 89 is an American single-action, spur-trigger pocket revolver chambered for the .32 Short Rimfire cartridge. Produced by Iver Johnson of Worcester, Massachusetts, between 1889 and 1899, it is a compact, solid-frame revolver with a five-shot cylinder, short round barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber grips embossed 'DEFENDER 89'. Inexpensive and easily concealed, it was typical of the personal-defense pocket revolvers carried by ordinary Americans in the late 19th century.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 280 g (9.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Barrel Length | 62 mm (2.44") |
| Action Type | Single Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 210 m/s (689 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 119 J (88 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Nickel |
Calibers
- .32 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .32 Short, .32 RF Short, .32 RF
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Features: Spur Trigger, Solid Frame, Removable Cylinder Pin, Bird Head Grip
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market · adopted 1889
Production
Production years: 1889-1899
Produced in large numbers as an affordable suicide-special-class pocket revolver; exact totals are not recorded.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Iver Johnson
Discontinued: 1899
Notes
The Defender 89 was offered across small, medium, and large frames in .22, .32, .38, and .41 rimfire chamberings with five- or seven-shot cylinders. The .32 Rimfire version is a medium-frame, five-shot model. The cylinder is removed via a pull-pin for loading and unloading.
Background
Top-strap and grips marked 'DEFENDER 89' gave the model its name. Belonging to the era of cheap solid-frame spur-trigger 'suicide specials', the Defender was a low-cost defensive arm sold widely across the United States in the final decade of the 19th century.