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Rockchucker

Rockchucker

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A lady I worked with asked me to give her dad’s pistol the once over, clean and test fire. Said she didn’t know anything about it other than he bought it new and has had it forever in the top of a closet. He has dementia now and can’t provide any info. I wasn’t expecting this.... from a little research, it’s a mid 50s manufacture Iver Johnson. As you can see, original box ($29.95, purchase price?) and some instruction/safety tags. Indicates 22 cal. I cleaned it up, gave it a function check and all looked good. There were some very old .22lr in the box so I assumed that was the correct cartridge however various modern 22lr will not easily chamber. Did find 3 mini mags that fit and fired fine. Could force some into the cylinder but didn’t want to do that. You pull the ejector rod out and use it to punch the cylinder to clear spent cases.

Any ideas on real world worth? She seemed interested in selling it to help fund a 9mm SD pistol.

Is 22lr right or should I be trying something different? All I have on hand is 22lr...

Thanks
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It could be chambered in .22 Long, not .22 Long Rifle.


Edit: never mind, all I could see using Google fu was it is long rifle


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Saw a prettt rough one on Guns America for $225, so I’d put this one around $225-250.


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B00ger said:
Saw a prettt rough one on Guns America for $225, so I’d put this one around $225-250.


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That amount could get her into a Shield or very close at least.
 
These typically sell for around $125-$225 depending on condition. With the original box and what appears to be good condition, this would be towards the higher end. $225 would likely be a tough sell locally. Gunbroker would be the best bet to fetch that amount unless you find someone that collects the full catalog of older Iver Johnson 22's.

There is also a supershot variant of the sealed 8 which fetches a bit more... but only a bit.

I've bought and sold a handful of these over the years and they don't sell particularly well and aren't particularly desirable (to most). But it should fetch at least 2 bills on gunbroker.
 
I'm interested if you're close to Charlotte.
 
I'd scrub the cylinder and try again.
 
That Iver Johnson Sealed Eight is a Great little gun. I have the much larger Target version. Unfortunately it won't bring much. All above are right as to the $125 range. I'll tell you this, that little gun is a jewel. It will last a lifetime. It's a shame folks don't snap these up.
 
Last one I saw local was in similar condition but without box...... I want to say it was tagged at $159.
 
I'd examine cylinder closely, as it's possible somebody shot a bunch of .22 short and left a carbon/fouling ring inside.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Based on your suggestions I went through a few cleaning cycles with bore scrubber on that cylinder. Rounds plunked right on down.

After some conversations with her son, not a gun person (yet), he opted to hold on this. I told him that it’s a true family heirloom if he makes it so. Must say this was the outcome I was hoping for.

Thanks again all!
 
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