In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Very Old Revolver? Ser.#867

Mike FinkMike Fink Member Posts: 274 ✭✭✭
edited February 2008 in Ask the Experts
I have an old "Double Action" "Safety Hammer" revolver in what I believe to be .32Cal. The only other marks are patent 1887. It has a 2"barrel that is octagonal and about 65% crome plate is remaining. Grips are very nice, bore is poor and the cylinder makes the trip less than half the time. Should I auction this on GunBroker or should I destroy and discard? I know how hard parts are to get for many individuals and this is why I ask. Thanks, Mike
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    sounds like an h&r or an iver johnson. AUCTION IT. some people collect these.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mike Fink
    I have an old "Double Action" "Safety Hammer" revolver in what I believe to be .32Cal. The only other marks are patent 1887. It has a 2"barrel that is octagonal and about 65% crome plate is remaining. Grips are very nice, bore is poor and the cylinder makes the trip less than half the time. Should I auction this on GunBroker or should I destroy and discard? I know how hard parts are to get for many individuals and this is why I ask. Thanks, Mike


    By all means, sell it as a parts gun; some C&R collector will snarf it up. Be sure to cover your shipping and set the minumum bid at what you think your time is worth to package and handle the shipping, etc.
    I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike FinkMike Fink Member Posts: 274 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Considering what it is with no serial number and all, would it be appropriate to priority mail to an FFl or C&R? Or do I have to overnight air it and drive the cost up?-Thanks for the quick responses, Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Welll........unless it is an odd variant, in not-quite working condition , if it IS an Iver Johnson or H and R or similar, odds are it will only bring $30, $50 bucks TOPS. I've bought them in working shape for that much already. Worth auctioning yes, but if you have to ship next day UPS or FEDEX air, or pay a transfer...well all I'm saying is a buyer might bid $10, $20 plus the kind of shipping you would be looking at.

    OTOH, if you have an FFL or know someone who does, and will ship it with no fees, just the cost of USPS shipping, then it becomes another matter.

    It's the shipping on handguns that is the killer. I have 2 or 3 I wouldn't mind dumping but hesitate to do so because of the shipping difficulties with handguns. I'd have to figure I could sell it for $100 to make the shipping worth my time. Rifles that I can ship myself at the post office are, again, another matter.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrfhrf Member Posts: 857 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here's an auction to watch:
    http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93069819

    However if yours does not have the address and caliber on barrel, it probably dates to 1880s.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 32 Magnum32 Magnum Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If your piece has a nickel plated trigger guard, you have a 1st Model 2nd Variation H&R "American Double Action" with the patented safety hammer - that's what the patent date (April 5, 1887 covers and you found it on the side of the spurless hammer. The finish on these is Nickel, not chrome. It is chambered for .32 S&W or .32 H&R Long (an obsolete black powder cartridge that was discontinued when S&W came out with the .32 S&W Long.) It was made before 1897 and is an antique. If you supply the serial number I can give you a better idea of year of manufacture. In the condition you have described it should sell in the $65 to $85 range depending upon the market in your area. Parts for this model are in demand.
    Jim Hauff
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike FinkMike Fink Member Posts: 274 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Folks- this little handgun is nearly an exact copy of the Gunbroker auction listed except there is no manufacturers name and address and also there is no serial number. Jim, I would bet that it was a blackpowder round due to the fact that this was in poor barrel condition over 50 yrs. ago. The trigger guard is also nickled, so I'll go with antique, H%R and but it up for auction tomorrow. Thanks to all for the real fine help. The rescources on this forum are incredible.-Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrfhrf Member Posts: 857 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The serial number is under the left grip.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike FinkMike Fink Member Posts: 274 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Serial #867. I don't think the grips have ever been off.-Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Pack the gun in your shipping box, & weigh it. Then, state in your listing, "Buyer pays actual UPS/Fedex Next Day Airsaver for 3 lbs (or whatever) from zipcode 20334 (or whatever)." Potential bidders can use the shippers' online rate calculators to figure the cost.

    Of course, you will have to ship it from a company customer service counter, so you may want to prefer one shipper or the other.

    Neal
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.