Iver Johnson Supershot Sealed 8 .22 LR 8 shot break open revolver, adjustable sights, checkered wood grips, mfg. 1931-57. Values range for $175 at 100% condition (i.e., new in box)$110 at 90%, $90 at 80%, $85 at 70%, and 75$ at 60%. The first course of action to discern the value of a gun is to identify the make, model, manufacturing date, and variation. The book "Iver-Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993" by W. Goforth will accomplish this. Then it's a simple matter of looking your gun up in one of the many firearm value books, such as the Blue Book of Gun Values, or the Standard Catalog of Firearms.
The gun was manufactured from 1919 to 1957. A box will be tough to find but it may be out there. Brouse eBay frequently.
You pull the back sight up...
i have a supereight #24328
They were made from 1931 to 1957, but I don't have any knowledge beyond that.
There were 3 models of the Iver Johnson supershot revolvers.The first model was made from 1928-1941 and was marked 22 supershot on the left side of the barrel.The second model was made from 1932-1941 and was marked .22 Supershot Sealed Eight on the left side of the barrel,The third model was marked as the model 844 and had a unfluted cylinder.This was made from 1955-1957.
1932-1947
take out the screw @ the bottom of the handle take handle off serial # is on left side
serial No. to Iver Johnson 22 cal American Bulldog DA
From your description,it sounds as though you have a ij champion model 822 single action target.These were based on the .22cal supershot sealed eight frames.These were made from 1939-1947.The value of these single action handguns are between 195-300 dollars:based on your revolver having between 60%-90% of its original finish remaining and a good bore.
If your Iver Johnson sealed eight revolver has one piece wooden grips,then it was made from 1932-1941 this was the first model which also had a 6in.or 10in.barrel.The second model had a oversized wooden or plastic grips and a 4 1/2in or 6in.barrel.These were made from 1947-1952.If it has a 2 1/2in barrel this was the snub model which was made from 1952-1954.
I can find no '65A' but they did make a 55A, eight shot revolver from 1961-1978. Value of the 55A, depending on condition, would be $95-$225. Later models had 'Iver Johnson Sportsman' on it.
How specific do you want? You won't be able to find out who the previous owners were or what they used if for, unless maybe it is listed on some stolen property report. This model was manufactured from 1931 to 1957. There are a couple of guys who hang out at antiqueguns.net who have written (or are writing) books on IJ and may be able to give you an exact year of manufacture. Value will be $75 for a well-worn but serviceable gun and $175 for one that is like-new. Another source of information on this firearm (and most other Iver Johnson firearms) is the book by W.E. Goforth titled, "Iver-Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993".