H&R "SPORTSMAN"

[wenjo40]

I have a H&R "SPORTSMAN" 22 cal, 9 shot, top break , adjustable front sight revolver. H&R "SPORTSMAN" double action in 2 linea on left side of 6 in. barrel. Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. Worcester Mass, U.S.A. in 2 lines on right side of barrel. 22 long rifle CTC. on right side. The grip has one mounting screw in back of grip. The ser.# 58522 is on the frame in front of grip. The firing pin is part of the hammer. The bluing & grip look to be in perfect condition. It came with a origional snap flap holster. To me, it looks like the gun has never been fired. I am hoping someone could give me some information on the revolver. (date, model, aprox. value, ect.) Any information would be appreciated.

[Jim Hauff]

It's a 1st Model, DOM is the later 1930's (Bill G. will give you a more exact date). It's probably a 6th variation and should have two patent dates stamped on the cylinder and the cylinder release on the left side just ahead of the cylinder. It should look like the bottom one in the picture below, with a serial number close to your's.
If your piece is indeed in EXCELLENT+ condition - in today's market it would sell (RETAIL) around $300 +/- $30, maybe a bit higher...the older pre WW2 versions don't seem to sell as high as the more modern ones, although, in my experience the older ones are better made and quite a bit more accurate.

40379

[b.goforth]

SPORTSMAN DOUBLE ACTION MODEL 999 LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK --1932-1952
Large frame double action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds, 22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF) cylinder capacity 7 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (ribbed); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights: rear adjustable for windage only, Three different front sights used, full Blade, Partridge type & Partridge type pinned to barrel top rib, all non-adjustable; Finger rest trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape, Rice frame); frame mounted firing pin, hammer face is flat. Cylinder release is long pivoting lever on right side of frame (there are two different version of this). Serial numbered in its own series from 01 up to
at least 89761 by the end of 1939. Starting in 1940 letter codes were used. Early production until about 1933 the letter code “D” was used to denote double action
First Variation; round heavy weight ribbed barrel with Blade non-adjustable front sight -----1932- to before April 18,1933
Second Variation; adjustable front sight-----1933 (after 4-18-1933)-
Third Variation; firing pin moved to hammer------------1934
Fourth Variation; three inch barrel was offered ---------1935
Fifth Variation; two patent dates marked on cylinder (before there was only one) ---1936 (after 3-17)-1937
Sixth Variation; top of barrel markings moved to right side of barrel ---1937-1939
Seventh Variation; 22 WFR caliber dropped, 3 inch barrel dropped ---1940-1941
Eight Variation; one piece over size plastic grips are standard, limited production during WWII years-----------1942-1952
VALUE: 100%=$425 60%= $195 Add 15% premium for 1st Variation; %0% for 22WRF caliber; 30% for 3” barrel (scarce) (See Post 1952 Section for Models 2 & 3)

jim estimate as to age is good enough for me.
bill