Help Interpreting H&R Serial Number

[Jim Hauff]

bigstemz,
With that serial number - your piece fits right in with the two pictured from my collection.
Blued finish is scarce at that time - many more nickel plated guns were made. ANY NEW MODEL PREMIER parts from that exact era should fit in your gun, with maybe some hand work. There were a number of changes to the cylinder retention system earlier than you gun - so not all will work - e.g. some have a threaded arbor w/ hook on latch, some w/o hook on latch, some unthreaded, etc. Can get confusing. Check the pic attached, your gun should have this arrangement:

[bigstemz]

Hey Jim would the parts under old model small frame premiere from this site
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...aspx?catid=229

Would tHose parts fit my gun most likely? I'm looking for a new cylinder and ejector as the teeth on the ejector are work down and cause the cylinder to only cycle threw 2 out of the 5 shots. The 3 other shots that do no cycle need only a tiny bit of assistance then it will cycle.

Hah we posted at the same time. Looks like I need new model small frame premiere parts?

Also in the last pic of the barrel catch, is that a new or old style catch?

[Jim Hauff]

Big,
Thats the "stuff" from a NEW Model and it should look just like yours.
You might be better off taking the gun to a gunsmith and ask him to build up and then recut the ratchet, than trying to find a complete assembly. ???

[bigstemz]

Originally Posted by Jim Hauff

Big,
Thats the "stuff" from a NEW Model and it should look just like yours.
You might be better off taking the gun to a gunsmith and ask him to build up and then recut the ratchet, than trying to find a complete assembly. ???

thanks jim, im planning on having a gun smith look at it this week. before i buy any parts. if they can fix the original id much rather do it that way. other than some rotation problems the gun is a peach. some very slight surface rust, but hey the guns nearly 100 years old so i cant complain. thanks again

just curious any idea of the price range this gun should b worth? i payed 100

[SSgtJohnT]

I have been reading all of the posts and a few have come very close but none have hit the nail on the head with my H&R. IT dose not have any writing on the barrel on ither side, the barrel is just over 3 inches, there is not a caliber marking on the gun anywhere( but I am sure it is .32), it is top break, trigger and guard are pinned not screwed, it is auto extracting with the trip button actuating return at full extension(tip) of barrel, the cylinder is pinned and can only be removed by removing the pin(no pressable button on backstrap near the break release, main spring is a flat spring, the front sight is not pinned, the cylinder is a six shot, on the backstrap over the barrel it reads "HARRINGTON&RICHARDSON.WORCESTER.MASS.U.S.A." serial number is #3208 and it is on the frame under the grip, there is not a ser# under the backstrap above the cylinder, is (was) nickle plated, case hardened hammer,only has one screw holding in the rear sight/breakdown release, trigger guard is not nickle plated, also the guard is ever so slightly different than all of the pics supplied,checkered on tip of hammer and on sides of breakdown release, I just want to know what year it was made, it will stay in my family, and I need an IPB, preferably a free one, just trying to fix a trigger problem. Thanks, John.

[Jim Hauff]

Originally Posted by SSgtJohnT

I have been reading all of the posts and a few have come very close but none have hit the nail on the head with my H&R. IT dose not have any writing on the barrel on ither side,Indicates manufacture before 1905 the barrel is just over 3 inches maybe 3 1/4"????, there is not a caliber marking on the gun anywhere( but I am sure it is .32) again, indicates manuf. pre 1905, it is top break, trigger and guard are pinned not screwed, that's a typical feature of the hinged frame guns it is auto extracting with the trip button actuating return at full extension(tip) of barrel Is this trip button located at the hinge? If so it was meant to de-activate the auto extractor to facilitate checking the shells in the cylinder without extracting them, the cylinder is pinned and can only be removed by removing the pin(no pressable button on backstrap near the break release, You've lost me here?????? main spring is a flat spring, the front sight is not pinned, the cylinder is a six shot, on the backstrap over the barrel it reads "HARRINGTON&RICHARDSON.WORCESTER.MASS.U.S.A." serial number is #3208 and it is on the frame under the grip, there is not a ser# under the backstrap above the cylinder, is (was) nickle plated, case hardened hammer,only has one screw holding in the rear sight/breakdown release, trigger guard is not nickle plated is it blued? or some other color?, also the guard is ever so slightly different than all of the pics supplied, how is it different? I just can't visualize the difference from this distancecheckered on tip of hammer and on sides of breakdown release is there a spur on the hammer? is the spur the same thickness through out or does it have a "spooned" effect?, I just want to know what year it was made First things first - we need to ID this mystery piece, it will stay in my family, and I need an IPB (I am unfamiliar with the letters IPB), preferably a free one join the club, just trying to fix a trigger problem. Thanks, John.

John,
Your posting is very interesting - could really use a couple pics to help you out, which is my ultimate goal posting on this site and by-golly, our info is usually free. Looking forward to answers to above questions or a couple good quality pics.
HAPPY NEW YEAR

[SSgtJohnT]

The barrel measures exactly 3 and 3/16 inches.Trip button is located at the hinge, and that is cool! On many of the other posts a comment was made that you could push on the small push button on the left side of the barrel just fwd of the screw to the rear sight and pull and twist the cylindre to remove it, well this gun does not have that push button.The pin to the front of the cylinder that goes thru from left to right, (same as in your pic) must be removed to remove the cylinder. Gun was nickle plated. Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) sorry military habit,... (schematic). The trigger guard was blued ,I think, It is not as bright as the rest of the gun. Yes there is a spur on the hammer I am not sure what you mean by spooned but the spur is 5/16 long pointed at tip and thicker at the point at which it meets the hammer, like a cone. I took some pics today but don't know how to get them on to this forum!.. working on it right now.

[SSgtJohnT]

Got it!! In this photo the back of the trigger at the top is shaped a bit different than the pic of your H&R, And the rear of the trigger guard on the inside curve (where there should be a protruding metal bar) the shape of the curve is different.

[SSgtJohnT]

There is a small ridge on the backbone of the hammer. The extractor has a clyindrical post and two smaller guideing posts. Well there it all is.And thanks for your help Jim.
~John

[SSgtJohnT]

the notch on the back of the hammer.

[SSgtJohnT]

sideview

[Jim Hauff]

SSGT,
Well, those fine pics sure did help a lot! You have a 1st MODEL AUTOMATIC EJECTING 1st VARIATION revolver. These are very scarcely seen in the market place today. This Var. was made between 1885 and 1886 - the give away on this variation is the double guide rods on either side of the cylinder axis pin. The "fancy" floral pattern molded, black, hard rubber grips were used prior to 1890. Your gun with a nominal 3 1/4" barrel is "standard" as described in the "BLUE BOOK", however during this past year (2011) examples have shown up with 2" (presumed to be factory based upon pics), 5" and 6" barrels.
In '6-shot' your gun was made to handle .32 S&W and .32 H&R LONG BLACK POWDER cartridges. There are very few KNOWN optional features, other than one piece with a blued finish vs. the Nickel plated versions and the other barrel lengths noted above. More information is definitely needed.
Value (RETAIL) is somewhat sketchy due to the few examples that I've seen sold. In Excellent Antique condition, to a collector, I'm guessing the range would be $325 to $350. In lesser condition, I feel the RETAIL value would still hold a right around $275 to $300 because of the scarcity and collectibility of this Model and Variation.
P.S. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE! HAPPY NEW YEAR

[SSgtJohnT]

WOW! That is awsome! Thanks Jim . you are a great help, and thank you also for your service! some gave all- all gave some, NO ONE WILL FORGET!

P.S. do you know where I can get the part behind the trigger, I hink it is called the single action sear trip lever, and the auto ejecting mechanism , the six spurs that advance the cylinder are worn/damaged and the cylinder will not advance with the trigger pull? Thanks John

[bigstemz]

Jim this question is for you. I'm just curious why my h&r can't fire .32 auto rounds. I'm gonna sk my gunsmith the same question. The only diff I can see is that .32 auto is fmj where as .32 s&w are lead. .???

[StoneChimney]

SSgtJohnT, try Numrich Gun Parts at THIS LINK FOR AN OLD MODEL AUTO-EJECTOR SEAR. Have the gun in hand when you call (don't order it online). It still may need modification and fitting.

bigstemz, do not use .32ACP ammunition in your break-top H&R revolver. First, the pressure is considerably higher than the gun was designed for. Second, the bullet diameter is smaller by a few thousandths so its not going to be particularly accurate anyway if the mechanism survives. The .32ACP is a semi-rimmed cartridge and may catch in your cylinder so that it "looks OK" but in reality it is not.

[Jim Hauff]

SSGT John - You're welcome, glad to help out. Stone knows his way around these old guns - be advised that parts for any of the auto ejecting guns made after 1890 may or may not fit in your gun, even with a lot of hand work - the frame shape was slightly changed and I've been told - the config.s of some of the innerds were also changed. CALL Numrich and tell them what you have - their techies are pretty good at finding the correct parts.

bigstemz,
What Stone said ^. Firing the .32 ACP in your H&R is like firing a proof round everytime you pull the trigger. Compare: .32 S&W has maximum average chamber pressure of 12K to 14K psi - .32 ACP has MACP closer to 22K+. Do you feel lucky today? Well, do ya?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[Mikajay]

I too am new to this forum and have learned so much reading the pages of questions and replies. Regretfully I haven't found anyone with the same gun that I have. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the model of this H&R. There are no caliber markings on the barrel. The break action doesn't eject the shells. Hopefully these photos help.

Any and all help is very much appreciated.

[Jim Hauff]

MikaJ,
Welcome to the forum.
You have a 2nd Model POLICE AUTO EJECTING 3rd Variation made in 1898. It is called "POLICE" due to the H&R Patented "Safety Hammer" (spurless). It is the last of the provable ANTIQUE status Auto Ejectors. It's a 6 shooter, so it chambered for .32 S&W or .32 H&R LONG BLACK POWDER cartridges. The "POLICE" models are somewhat scarce.
P.S. NICE pics!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[drothgeb]

I have a .32 H&R revolver that belonged to my grandfather and was passed onto me years back. It's blued and has what looks like a 4 inch barrel. Hard rubber grips with the target at the top. AUTO EJECTING 32 S&W CTGE on the left side of the barrel. On the top rib is: Patented August 6, 1889 October 8, 1895. Serial number is 231XXX. What would be the manufacture date of this handgun?

Thanks!

I'll try to post some pictures later

[Jim Hauff]

drothgeb,
Welcome to the forum.
You have a very nice example of a 3rd Model AUTOMATIC EJECTING 2nd Variation made between 1909 and 1912. The s/n seems to be late in the series for that variation so, 1912 is the likely year of manufacture. Standard issue for this model/variation was: Nickel finish, 3 1/4" barrel, 5 x .38 S&W or 6 x .32S&W/.32S&W Long. It was made to handle smokeless/Nitro powder loads, so, IF IN SAFE CONDITION to shoot, your gun should handle all modern, factory loaded .32 S&W or LONG ammo.
Your piece has two "desirable to collectors" attributes: the 4" barrel and the blued finish. It was also offered with a 2 1/2" (very rare), 5" or 6" barrel. Top condition, 100%/NIB (yes, there are still some out there) will currently bring at RETAIL $275 to $300; average condition (80% to 90% finish remains and all works as intended) will fall into the $130 - $150 range - BUT add about 25% premium due to the 4" and BLUE. As an heirloom - it has immeasurable value. Enjoy.

[drothgeb]

I really appreciate the help! I had shot it with modern ammo growing up after having it checked over by a gunsmith. It's the most accurate handgun I have shot. I've been really impressed with the cartridge.

[ajh2201]

Originally Posted by Xracer

Hi Dave.....welcome to TFF.

Keep checking back. Our resident expert on Harrington & Richardsons, Bill Goforth (he's literally writing the book on them), should be along shortly to tell you all you'd like to know about your H&R.




*Shameless Plug*
Books by Bill Goforth:
Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993
H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due fall of 2008)
available from www.gunshowbooks.com

[ajh2201]

Anything new on Bill Goforth's book on H&R's? ajh2201

[Jim Hauff]

ajh,
Last I heard from the publisher, he was performing the final grammatical editing - that was in early December/late November. No estimate of publication date, as yet. I'll post when I hear more.

[Uncle Rollo]

Jim,
You seem to be the man in the know, so thanks in advance. I need help determining the age of an H&R shotgun. It's a single shot with a serial number of 300xxx on the bottom behind the trigger guard. On the left side of the receiver, near the splinter stock, there is a faint stamp that says: AT FEB 20 & 27. Under that, it says: Pat May 14 1901 . Im not sure if it's 1901 or 1931 as the finish and stampings are mostly gone. In the middle of the receiver on the same side is the company name and below that Worcester Mass. U.S.A. On top of the barrel it says 12GA CHOKE. Whatever you can tell me about this gun would be appreciated

Thanks Again

Rod