Iver Johnson (the man) was a Norwegian gunsmith who emigrated to the United States in 1863, settling in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1871 Johnson formed a partnership with another gunsmith, Martin Bye, and formed Johnson Bye & Company. In 1883 Johnson bought out his partner’s interest and renamed the company Iver Johnson & Company. In addition to developing several firearms-related patents, Johnson also designed firearms for other New England manufacturers.