Iver Johnson Smoker
Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works · Revolver · Discontinued · 1875
Also known as: Smoker No. 3, Iver Johnson Smoker .38
Overview
The Iver Johnson Smoker is a compact single-action spur-trigger pocket revolver produced in the late 19th century. A classic example of the inexpensive American 'suicide special', it features a solid frame, non-fluted cylinder, birdshead grip and nickel-plated finish, with no extractor or safety. The Smoker line was offered in numbered variants by caliber, the .38 rimfire chambering corresponding to the Smoker No. 3. Though widely attributed to Iver Johnson, the maker's name does not appear on the guns themselves.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 340 g (12.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 171 mm (6.73") |
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 194 J (143 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Nickel Plated |
Calibers
- .38 Rimfire · primary — also known as .38 RF, .38 Short Rimfire, .38 Long Rimfire
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Features: Spur Trigger, Solid Frame, Non Fluted Cylinder, Birdshead Grip, Fixed Sights
Service history
Operators
- Civilian market
Production
Production years: c. 1875-1890
Exact production figures for these trade-name spur-trigger revolvers were not recorded.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
Spur-trigger 'suicide specials' like the Smoker were mass-produced by makers such as Iver Johnson, Hopkins & Allen, Hood and Lee, and sold for as little as $1.50. The Smoker series spanned .22 (No. 1), .32 (No. 2), .38 (No. 3) and .41 (No. 4) rimfire.
Background
The term 'suicide special' was coined in 1948 by collector Duncan McConnell in an American Rifleman article describing the flood of cheap, mass-produced spur-trigger pocket revolvers that American makers sold between roughly 1870 and 1900.