Harrington & Richardson Top Break

dwhuss

Trying to find out the age and history of an old H&R auto ejector revolver. Here's the particulars:

Top of barrel:Harrington & Richardson Arms Company,
Worcester,MASS.U.S.A.PAT. OCT.4'87 MAY 14&AUG 6'89.

No markings on either side of piece or anywhere on bottom. Does not have the caliber marked anywhere on the gun.

Serial under top "strap", visible when cylinder is removed is a tiny "B" then 75243, also has the 75243 stamped into the handle under the grips, along with some unintelligable scratchings on the inside of the grip panels. Only other marks are a 198 stamped in the face of the cylinder and on the ejector.

From other readings: Is a 6 shot, holds .32 S&W long but barely(nearly rub on the other side), cylinder will free-wheel with hammer down, and it has a hammer.

Any info or help would be appreciated.

Here's a pic.

dwhuss

Looking to find out information on a H&R .32 Top Break what I am guessing to be a Second Model. Six round cylinder. chromed w/H&R target logo grips, Cylinder is barely long enough to fit .32 S&W Long Ctgs. H&R Arms Wooster, Mass. Ect on top strap and ser.# in the 17000 range in the underside of the top strap above the cylinder w/ partial ser.# on the star, cylinder face, and the frame under the grip. This model also was a single/double with a factory bobbed hammer. No cal. markings on barrel Standard topbreak frame with a manual ejector release. Never seen one of those before. Any ideas as to date of Manufacture.
Dave

b.goforth

without any caliber markings on the left side of the barrel it is of pre 1905 manufacture. a serial number on the bottom of the top strap in 17000 range and no letter codes would indicate this is a early second model of about 1890 to 1892 manufacture. does the top rib have a single patent date marking. it would be very helpful to know the exact barrel markings.

the caliber is 32 H&R Long (which will also accept the 32 S&W round).
the 32 H&R Long also known as the 32 M&H Long was an attempt at a cartridge with more powder than the 32 S&W. the exact date of its introduction is unknown but H&R was chambering their American Double Action revolvers for it as early as 1883. the 32 S&W Long was not introduced by S&W until about 1898. H&R finally gave up on the 32 H&R in 1904 and after 1905 all H&R six shot 32 had cylinders long enough to chamber the 32 S&W Long. all the small frame 5 shot 32's remained chambered for the 32 S&W (the short one).

i can not give much more information on this revolver with out knowing more information. as stated earlier this is a pre 1905 manufactured revolver and was manufactured for black powder cartridge pressures only and should not be fired with modern smokeless ammo.

the facrory spurless hammer was called the "safety hammer" on the h&r solid frame models and on the top break model it was called the "police model" h&r patented it in 1887 and used it on most of their models until 1941.
bill

dwhuss

Information on the top strap
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO.
WORCESTER, MASS. U.S.A.PAT'D OCT4'87




Dave

b.goforth

this is a Auto-Ejecting second model 1st variation manufactured in 1890. definately a black powder model and chambered for the 32 H&R cartridge.

as stated this chambering will also accept the 32 S&W but not the 32 S&W Long. i do not believe the 32 S&W Long was ever offer in a black powder loading.
bill

dwhuss

Thanks, Bill
You Rock....
Am enjoying your Iver Johnson Book, Looking forward to your new H&R book this fall.
Dave

Jason_N_J

I have a five shot that looks very similar to the picture minus the cylinder of course. The last pat date on the top of the barrel is 1896. The serial is in the 37000's and there is no Caliber printed on the barrel. Where can I look to find more information about this gun? Also what are the availability on parts?

32 Magnum

Sounds like a 2nd Mod. 3rd Variation made between 1895 and 1904. It is chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge and being pre 1904 it is chambered for the BLACK POWDER load. It was most likely made, early in the production run. If you pull the cylinder - lift the latch and push in the little button on the left side of the top strap then let the latch settle on the stop and release the button - it should stay in the upright position along with the cylinder retainer - then pull the cylinder off the arbor - check under the top strap for a letter code prefix to the serial number.
If your piece is nickel plated, it probably also has a nickel plated trigger guard - which would indicate manufacture sometime in or before 1897.
The CURRENT best and most accurate source for H&R identifications and information is in the Harrington & Richardson section of the 29th Edition of the "Blue Book of Gun Values" by S. Fjestad. Later this year or early next year, Bill Goforth's book on the history and variety of H&R firearms should be on the shelves.
Jim Hauff
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/6b60rjggVsnt8VyAoFXZKTrudOvJPJkwU6dfv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/6b60rjggVsnt8VyAoFXZKTrudKo7Pu8AM1Y8v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/6b60rjggVsnt8VyAoFXZKTrudN93vmE1gM2Dv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

shovelmd

Just thought I'd throw mine in here too, my H&R is also a 5 shot and looks very close to yours except for a couple of minor differences and mine has a 5 digit serial#. But it is a DEFENDER 38 in .38 S&W.Also couldn't see a date on it.

32 Magnum

Shovelmd,
The Defender 38 series derived from the Sportsman frame, with auto ejection and adjustible front and rear sights and Bill G's research indicates that they were produced in the era from approx. 1936 to 1946. Some have a brass/gold bead inletted in the front sight blade. They were intended for use by private security and plant guards, etc. before and during WW2, when the more modern design revolvers were being issued to the US Military forces. Exact number made is undetermined, but several variations have come up - I've got about 4 in my collection. The Defender, with auto ejection eventually evolved into the manual ejecting Model 25 and then 925, both the 4" and the 2.5" versions and the Model 926, manual ejection in both .22lr and .38 S&W. See the following pictures for a positive ID.
Jim Hauff
top: Defender Special s/n A966 Wood grip bottom: Defender 38 13000 Black plastic both .38S&W
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRE5zV*E1Lk7Gv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
.38 S&W s/n 3953 brown plastic
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRPw8qCTCz1wDv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
.38 S&W s/n 9697 "Stag" plastic
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRICz1fxFMW2Qv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
.38S&W Model 25 Defender Manual ejecting s/n 10530
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRKeuUySSzfKKv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
top: manual ejecting Model 925, s/n AE20603 bottom: Model 926, s/n AN105918 , both .38S&W, both have two piece grips - different grip frame
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesROjpujxct-LTv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
2.5" barrel M925s - black matte and blue, Model 935 Nickel plate - all .38 S&W, modified grip frame with plastic grips; black - s/n AD61226; blue - s/n AD61226; Nickel s/n AR84110
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRLkMILSjtxIkv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
.22 rimfire cal. s/n 18298 - rare configuration with plastic "bird's head" shaped grip
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/d7f0z*uamnrsAuSauoLb4VesRCooeDmPQqQev4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

shovelmd

COOL, THANKS JIM,

dangt

Hr. Hauff,

I am always very grateful for the photos accompanying your replies to H&R questions. I am currently extremely grateful for the info on the Defender model you just posted as I finally picked up one from the WWII era after admiring this gun for years. My H&R collection is quite small but I appreciate the affordability of the brand.

I'm looking forward to the H&R book that is to be published this fall. Any update on that?

thanks,
Dan Taylor