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Harrington and Richardson .32

6K views 15 replies 4 participants last post by  Bobby Lyttle 
#1 ·
I have an H&R 32 cal five shot revolver. The serial number under the grips is five digits.
The serial number under the top strap is five digit preceded by the letter D. It has a
bobbed hammer, top break, and the company name and five patent dates are in two lines
on top of the barrel. Can anyone help me id this pistol as to manufacture date and if
it is a black powder or smokeless powder unit. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
#3 ·
I have an H&R 32 cal five shot revolver. The serial number under the grips is five digits.
The serial number under the top strap is five digit preceded by the letter D. It has a
bobbed hammer, top break, and the company name and five patent dates are in two lines
on top of the barrel. Can anyone help me id this pistol as to manufacture date and if
it is a black powder or smokeless powder unit. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I am attaching relevant photos
 

Attachments

#4 ·
We need the info off the top of the barrel - serial number means virtually nothing on pre-1940 guns.

All I can tell you right now is that it is a Small Frame Premier Police Model. But the info on top of the barrel will determine whether it is a 1st model or 2nd model, and what variation it is so that we can peg down a year of production.

I need the roll stamp on the top of the barrel word-for-word exactly as it is stamped. Also, is the barrel marked for its caliber(glare on those photos makes it difficult to tell)?
 
#5 ·
We need the info off the top of the barrel - serial number means virtually nothing on pre-1940 guns.

All I can tell you right now is that it is a Small Frame Premier Police Model. But the info on top of the barrel will determine whether it is a 1st model or 2nd model, and what variation it is so that we can peg down a year of production.

I need the roll stamp on the top of the barrel word-for-word exactly as it is stamped. Also, is the barrel marked for its caliber(glare on those photos makes it difficult to tell)?
There is no caliber stamped on the side. The roll stamp on the barrel top
is in two lines:
Line 1 HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS COMPANY WORCESTER MASS. USA.
Line 2 PAT.OCT 4,87 , MAY 14 & AUG.6,89,APRIL 2,'95, APRIL 7, 1896

It is interesting that you used the term Police in your description as this pistol was one of a matched pair that was given to my father by a retired railroad policeman about 1950. The other was given to the man's son.

Thank you for your assistance.
 
#6 ·
What you have is a Large Frame Automatic Ejecting 2nd Model Police, based on the 5th Variation standard Automatic Ejecting. It was made between 1897 and 1904 - no way to narrow it down any further. You said it was a 5 shot, however it should be .38S&W - not .32S&W. .32 caliber large frames were 6shot. It is a blackpowder only gun too.

The spurless hammer is what designates it a "Police Model".
 
#8 ·
Well I actually found a trigger spring at Numich and now, after a little fitting and filing, I have a sort of working 5 shot revolver. I say sort of because I have a mystery of sorts. I had always been told this was a .32 however all the information available says this is a .38. So, I put a set of electronic calipers to the various openings and the barrel measures .351-.352 at both ends. The cartridge opening in the cylinder measures .380-.381. Am I over thinking this or do I have an oddity?
 
#10 ·
Maybe I should have worded my post differently. The pistol is definitely a .38. I am puzzled why the bore measures so far below a .38. This pistol being at least 110 years old and firing black powder rounds and the scarcity of info just leaves me with questions I have yet to be able to answer from any sources I have found. You have been the most helpful in actually identifying the gun. In your accumulated knowledge do you happen to have the specs on the cartridges that should go in this weapon? Like I said, I may be over thinking this but if I am going to put rounds in this and hold it in my hand and pull the trigger, I want to avoid any surprises.
 
#11 ·
The bore and groove on a .38S&W should be between 0.348"-0.352" and 0.361"-0.362", respectively.

The diameter of a .38S&W case is 0.3865" near the rim, and 0.3855" near the mouth.

Yours sounds like it is close to par.
 
#12 ·
The bore and groove on a .38S&W should be between 0.348"-0.352" and 0.361"-0.362", respectively.

The diameter of a .38S&W case is 0.3865" near the rim, and 0.3855" near the mouth.

Yours sounds like it is close to par.
Thank you once again for your assistance. I feel much better about taking this "old gentlemen" to the firing range. It may be a couple of weeks but I will post the outcome of that excursion.
 
#13 ·
I am have problems with the pictures. Would it be possible to send you a e-mail? the e73 I looked closer and I think it is a 673 and it is on the cylinder.
Sure,

Email them to knight0334@yahoo.com. Try to get me the top of the barrel, both sides of the gun, the breech end of the cylinder, and the serial number please.
 
#15 ·
Thank you for the very high detail pictures(email).

Yours appears to be an Automatic Ejecting 2nd Model, 5th Variation(large frame gun). It was made between 1897 and 1904. It is definitely a blackpowder only gun. You can see that someone in the past had fired BP in it and failed to clean it properly. Other than the chambers/bore - your gun looks to be in decent condition.

You serial number would be in three places:
1. On the grip of the gun, possibly under the grip panels. (you may have to remove the grip panels to see it). It could possibly be on the butt of the grip.
2. The breech end of the cylinder - which yours says "673", This number is probably a partial of your whole serial number. You can also see that it is on the extractor too. (matched parts)
3. If you remove the cylinder - it would be under the top strap.
 
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