ID on a H and R top break pistol

Chris234

Hello all,

I am having a difficult time id'ing a H and R pistol. Any help offered will and would be greatly appreciated.

5 shot cylinder
medium to small frame
blade on top of barrel for front sight
marked on top of barrel along ramp Harrington and Richardson Arms Company Worcester.Mass U.S.A. pat oct.487,may 14,& aug.6,89,april;95.april 7,1898
Original finish Nickel

Serial Number 117** (marked on outside frame left side under grip)
Approximate 2 1/2 to 3 inch barrel

Needed: Caliber
Make if applicable
Possible site or instructions to purchase grips, any type, to finish restoring this firearm for display.

Also is there an easy way to id this type of firearm?

Thank you for your time in advance.

Ciric1@hotmail.com

b.goforth

chris,
these 5 patent dates only were used on the H&R large frame 'Auto-Ejector' second model between 1898 and 1904 and the H&R large frame "hammerless" first model between 1899-1904. actual last two dates are april 2.'95 and april 7.1896. the large frame auto-ejector and hammerless model were manufactured in 5 shot 38S&W or 6 shot 32S&W. standard barrel length was 3 1/4 inches with 2 1/2, 4,5 & 6 inch length optional. only the small frame 5 shot 32S&W came with a 3 inch barrel (these 5 patent dates have not been seen on the small frame models)

there is another serial number location that need to be checked. on the bottom side of the barrel stop strap, remove the cylinder to see. if this is the Auto-ejector model (with a hammer) it will have a letter code in this location. and i will need that to identify the exact year of production. if this is a hammerless then it should not have a letter code and it would be the first year production of the hammerless model 1899. in either case hammer or hammerless it is chambered for black powder cartridge pressures and is not safe with modern ammo

parts can usually be obtained from numrich arms (e-gunparts.com) but since there were some variations in parts during this time the old parts should be sent so they can be matched.

since H&R did not start marking model names on their top break revolvers until the 1920s model identication is difficult. also the fact H&R did not make the change to smokeless powder until 1905 also causes problems.

the basics of H&R top break revolvers are all hammerless models were called "hammerless", the large frame hammer models called auto-ejector and the small frame hammer called "premier". all other H&R top break revolvers should have model names on them such as "22 special", "sportsman" and or "target".

so without knowing if this this is a hammer or hammerless version i can't give you the model name and without knowing if there is letter code present with serial number found on the bottom of the top strap i can't give you a year of manufacture. please remember this revolver was designed for black powder cartridge pressures only.
bill

Chris234

Thank you for the reply.

This model does have a hammer. And the letter code is D.

D117** The cylinder and ejector both are marked with the last 3 of the serial number.

Also a note you were right on when it came to manufacture dates (after closer inspection with magnification). Once again thank you for your time and your knowledge and your willingness to share them both.

b.goforth

chris,
according to the serial number listing i have been developing the "D" letter code was used by H&R on the Auto-Ejector second model 3rd variation in 1899. one year short of being considered an antique but still manufactured for black powder cartridge pressures only.
bill