Grandpa's 32 - The Firearms Forum

plus1hdcp · 09-24-2012, 07:40 PM

Dad showed up today with his father's 32. My research lead me to many discussions on this forum but unfortunately did not definatively answered my questions.

What I see:

Crome top break pistol with @ 3" barrel
No caliber markings but dad believes it to be a 32
Top - Harrington & Richardson Arms Company
Worchester Mass USA PATD OCT 2TH 1887

Serial Number 8528 Located when cylinder removed.

I did not remove grip.

What I don't know

Model Type -
Approximate Manufacture Date -
Is this a 32 S&W or BP Cartridge -
Places to learn more about this pistol -

Thanks for you time looking at this post and I look forward to your replies. I will post some pics when time permits.

BETH · 09-24-2012, 07:42 PM

don't worry they will help u can u post pictures?

plus1hdcp · 09-24-2012, 09:34 PM

Here is a picture. Made from my phone and not the best lighting but should add a bit of clarity.

plus1hdcp · 09-25-2012, 09:29 PM

Let me add the pistol is auto ejecting

plus1hdcp · 09-30-2012, 03:17 PM

Is there anything else I can add to help someone ID this pistol?

hrf · 09-30-2012, 08:32 PM

Welcome to TFF plus1,

You are not being ignored, but TFF's H&R expert Jim Hauff is presently sidelined by a medical problem, and the H&R book that he and the late Bill Goforth compiled is still pending publication.

Until Jim returns or the book is released, the most detailed sources of H&R info are the past posts that you reviewed.

(BTW, unless it's been refinished, it's nickel plated, not chrome)

plus1hdcp · 03-30-2013, 09:47 PM

Let me give this a shameless bump as I am still trying to identify the approximate manufacture year, model, cartridge, etc.

Thank you to all for looking

SARGE7402 · 03-31-2013, 08:10 AM

From the photo it would appear that you have an Auto Ejecting Model. The locking bolt notches on the cylinder are different that on a Premier. That said, it ought to be a six shot revolver and shuld be chambered for the .32 S&W Long (AKA .32 Colt New Police). Manufacure of these started around 1897 and continued up until the start of WWII. Sadly manufacture of these fine little pistols did not resume after WWII

plus1hdcp · 03-31-2013, 05:01 PM

Thanks for the reply Sarge! The pistol is in good working order and I would love to send a couple of rounds downrange with my dad before it goes back into hibernation. Would modern ammo be safe to use in the breaktop due to pressure concerns?

45Auto · 04-01-2013, 12:55 PM

It looks like you have an early example made for ammo loaded with black powder. If you use modern factory loaded .32 S&W (short) it would most likely be ok. Modern .32 S&W Longs might be ok, but they also might stretch the top latch screw and your revolver will have a loose latch when you close it. The best ammo for your old revolver would be loaded with black power, then you don't have to be concerned about anything but cleaning up the black powder fouling.

BTW, your revolver is in excellent condition for it's age.

09-24-2012, 07:40 PM	#1
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Grandpa's 32 - now with pic Dad showed up today with his father's 32. My research lead me to many discussions on this forum but unfortunately did not definatively answered my questions. What I see: Crome top break pistol with @ 3" barrel No caliber markings but dad believes it to be a 32 Top - Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worchester Mass USA PATD OCT 2TH 1887 Serial Number 8528 Located when cylinder removed. I did not remove grip. What I don't know Model Type - Approximate Manufacture Date - Is this a 32 S&W or BP Cartridge - Places to learn more about this pistol - Thanks for you time looking at this post and I look forward to your replies. I will post some pics when time permits. --> Last edited by plus1hdcp; 09-24-2012 at 09:59 PM.. Reason: Picture added in post 3

09-24-2012, 07:42 PM	#2
BETH Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: naugatuck,Ct. Contributor Posts: 6,668	Re: Grandpa's 32 don't worry they will help u can u post pictures?

09-24-2012, 09:34 PM	#3
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Grandpa's 32 Here is a picture. Made from my phone and not the best lighting but should add a bit of clarity.

09-25-2012, 09:29 PM	#4
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Grandpa's 32 Let me add the pistol is auto ejecting

09-30-2012, 03:17 PM	#5
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Grandpa's 32 Is there anything else I can add to help someone ID this pistol?

09-30-2012, 08:32 PM	#6
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,277	Re: Grandpa's 32 Welcome to TFF plus1, You are not being ignored, but TFF's H&R expert Jim Hauff is presently sidelined by a medical problem, and the H&R book that he and the late Bill Goforth compiled is still pending publication. Until Jim returns or the book is released, the most detailed sources of H&R info are the past posts that you reviewed. (BTW, unless it's been refinished, it's nickel plated, not chrome) Last edited by hrf; 09-30-2012 at 08:39 PM..

03-30-2013, 09:47 PM	#7
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Grandpa's 32 Let me give this a shameless bump as I am still trying to identify the approximate manufacture year, model, cartridge, etc. Thank you to all for looking

03-31-2013, 08:10 AM	#8
SARGE7402 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 121	Re: Grandpa's 32 From the photo it would appear that you have an Auto Ejecting Model. The locking bolt notches on the cylinder are different that on a Premier. That said, it ought to be a six shot revolver and shuld be chambered for the .32 S&W Long (AKA .32 Colt New Police). Manufacure of these started around 1897 and continued up until the start of WWII. Sadly manufacture of these fine little pistols did not resume after WWII

03-31-2013, 05:01 PM	#9
plus1hdcp Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Grandpa's 32 Thanks for the reply Sarge! The pistol is in good working order and I would love to send a couple of rounds downrange with my dad before it goes back into hibernation. Would modern ammo be safe to use in the breaktop due to pressure concerns?

04-01-2013, 12:55 PM	#10
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,119	Re: Grandpa's 32 It looks like you have an early example made for ammo loaded with black powder. If you use modern factory loaded .32 S&W (short) it would most likely be ok. Modern .32 S&W Longs might be ok, but they also might stretch the top latch screw and your revolver will have a loose latch when you close it. The best ammo for your old revolver would be loaded with black power, then you don't have to be concerned about anything but cleaning up the black powder fouling. BTW, your revolver is in excellent condition for it's age.