H&R .38 Top Break revolver - The Firearms Forum

Tom B. · 12-26-2010, 10:31 PM

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Bill,

I have an H&R .38 Top Break revolver in good condition. It was passed down from my grandfather to my father and now to me. Haven't been shot in a LONG time, but had some .38 ammo included in the pouch (2 Lengths). On top of barrel is " Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worcester, Mass. USA Pat. Oct.4.'87, May 14 & Aug. 6.'89. April 2.'95. April 7. 1896." The number on the inside of the cylinder is 924 (Shown twice), and the # on the inside of the topbreak is D78924.
I am including pictures of both gun and ammo. Can you tell me anything about what I have and what type of ammo it will shoot.

Thanks!
Tom B.

b.goforth · 12-27-2010, 01:42 PM

this revolver is chambered for the 38 S&W round. do not attempt to fire the 38 spl. round in it. in fact do not fire any smokeless loads in this revolver.

it is a second model 5th variation (1897-1904). the D letter code was used in 1899 on this model.

AUTOMATIC EJECTING SECOND MODEL
(NEW FRAME TARGET LOGO GRIPS) (BLACK POWDER) ----------1890-1904
New frame shape and new hard rubber grip panels with Target Logo, Auto-ejecting mechanism, Calibers 32 S&W, 6 shot cylinder capacity, 38 S&W caliber 5 shot cylinder capacity, nickel finish (blue optional), barrel lengths of 2½ (rare), 3¼ (standard), 4, 5 & 6 inches available. “IF THERE IS NO CALIBER MARKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL THEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR BLACK POWDER”. Top of barrel markings include company name and address and patent dates.
First Variation; one patent date OCT-4-87 only -------------1890-1892
Second Variation one patent date marked OCT-4-1887 (year marked in full) -------1890-1892*
Third Variation three patent dates, Oct-4-1887, May 14 & Aug-6-89 -----1893-Only*
Fourth Variation three patent dates Oct-4-87, May-14 & Aug-6-89 (note 87 date des not have full year markings)--------1894-1896*
Fifth Variation five patent dates Oct-4-87, May 14 & Aug-6-89, April-2-95, April-7-96--------1897-1904*
*Serial numbers found on the bottom side of the top strap will have letter codes with them.
VALUE 100%=$225 60%=$85 For all Auto-Ejecting 2nd Models; add 75% premium for 2½” barrel; add 25% for 4”, 5” & 6” barrels; add 15% for blue finish; add 10% for 1st , 2nd, 3rd & 4th variations with nickel trigger guard on nickel finish pieces

bill

Jim Hauff · 12-29-2010, 11:58 AM

Tom B. -
Nice piece! I don't see many of these with the longer barrel, kinda scarce these days.

Rotta · 12-14-2012, 08:28 AM

I have the same revolver but the serial number is G86191, when this gun has been made?

nelsonpaint88 · 02-26-2013, 09:11 AM

Hey Guys thanks for all of the expertise it has helped so much already I seem to have the same gun in 38 sw with all the same markings on the top barrel. PAT. OCT 4:87 MAY 14& AUG. 6. 89. APRIL 2.95. APRIL 7. 1896. the serial number reads F 32581. Does anyone know what year this one was made? Thanks in advance it would be a big help to find this out.

12-26-2010, 10:31 PM	#1
Tom B. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1	H&R .38 Top Break revolver Bill, I have an H&R .38 Top Break revolver in good condition. It was passed down from my grandfather to my father and now to me. Haven't been shot in a LONG time, but had some .38 ammo included in the pouch (2 Lengths). On top of barrel is " Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worcester, Mass. USA Pat. Oct.4.'87, May 14 & Aug. 6.'89. April 2.'95. April 7. 1896." The number on the inside of the cylinder is 924 (Shown twice), and the # on the inside of the topbreak is D78924. I am including pictures of both gun and ammo. Can you tell me anything about what I have and what type of ammo it will shoot. Thanks! Tom B. -->

12-27-2010, 01:42 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: H&R .38 Top Break revolver this revolver is chambered for the 38 S&W round. do not attempt to fire the 38 spl. round in it. in fact do not fire any smokeless loads in this revolver. it is a second model 5th variation (1897-1904). the D letter code was used in 1899 on this model. AUTOMATIC EJECTING SECOND MODEL (NEW FRAME TARGET LOGO GRIPS) (BLACK POWDER) ----------1890-1904 New frame shape and new hard rubber grip panels with Target Logo, Auto-ejecting mechanism, Calibers 32 S&W, 6 shot cylinder capacity, 38 S&W caliber 5 shot cylinder capacity, nickel finish (blue optional), barrel lengths of 2½ (rare), 3¼ (standard), 4, 5 & 6 inches available. “IF THERE IS NO CALIBER MARKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL THEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR BLACK POWDER”. Top of barrel markings include company name and address and patent dates. First Variation; one patent date OCT-4-87 only -------------1890-1892 Second Variation one patent date marked OCT-4-1887 (year marked in full) -------1890-1892* Third Variation three patent dates, Oct-4-1887, May 14 & Aug-6-89 -----1893-Only* Fourth Variation three patent dates Oct-4-87, May-14 & Aug-6-89 (note 87 date des not have full year markings)--------1894-1896* Fifth Variation five patent dates Oct-4-87, May 14 & Aug-6-89, April-2-95, April-7-96--------1897-1904* Serial numbers found on the bottom side of the top strap will have letter codes with them. VALUE 100%=$225 60%=$85 For all Auto-Ejecting 2nd Models; add 75% premium for 2½” barrel; add 25% for 4”, 5” & 6” barrels; add 15% for blue finish; add 10% for 1st , 2nd, 3rd & 4th variations with nickel trigger guard on nickel finish pieces bill __________________ Author: Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due spring 2010) available from www.gunshowbooks.com website; iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com Last edited by b.goforth; 12-27-2010 at 01:46 PM..*

12-29-2010, 11:58 AM	#3
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R .38 Top Break revolver Tom B. - Nice piece! I don't see many of these with the longer barrel, kinda scarce these days. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

12-14-2012, 08:28 AM	#4
Rotta Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1	Re: H&R .38 Top Break revolver I have the same revolver but the serial number is G86191, when this gun has been made?

02-26-2013, 09:11 AM	#5
nelsonpaint88 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1	Re: H&R .38 Top Break revolver Hey Guys thanks for all of the expertise it has helped so much already I seem to have the same gun in 38 sw with all the same markings on the top barrel. PAT. OCT 4:87 MAY 14& AUG. 6. 89. APRIL 2.95. APRIL 7. 1896. the serial number reads F 32581. Does anyone know what year this one was made? Thanks in advance it would be a big help to find this out.