H&R Premier 7 shot .22 top break revolver ?

[MIKE204]

I have a H&R Premier small frame auto ejecting 7 shot .22 Rim Fire top break revolver. Serial No. 177XXX. It has pearl grips and is in shootable condition. Cyclinder is tight when cocked. No side to side play. Blue shows some slight rust. No pits or rust in bore or rifling. Pat Nov 8th 1895. Can you help me to determine about when this revolver was made and aprox how many and what it might be worth? Also, was it made for black powder rimfire catridges or modern rimfire cartridges. Markings on barrel only read .22 Rim Fire. Nothing about short, long, long rifle. Would it be safe to shoot todays 22 long rifle rimfire cartridges in it? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

MIKE204

[b.goforth]

the premier is a second model third variation. the catalogs of the era advertized this revolver as being chambered for the 22 short, 22 Long or 22 S&W Long (i have never this cartridge) only the large fram top break 22 Special was advertized as being chambered for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge

H&R PREMER SECOND MODEL SMALL FRAME TOP BREAK R.F. & C.F. ----------1905-1941
Small fame double action top break revolver with double top post barrel latch; calibers and cylinder capacity, 22 rimfire-7 rounds, 32 S&W, 5 rounds; automatic cylinder stop; standard finish Nickel with case harden hammer and barrel latch; standard barrel length 3 inches, with 2, 4, 5 and 6 inches available as optional;
HAS CALIBER MARKINGS ON LEFT SIDE OF BARREL WAS MANUFACTURED FOR SMOKELESS POWDER CARTRIDGE PRESSURES.
There has not been enough data gathered on serial number to try to come up with a serial number range for the different variations.
First Variation, model name & caliber marked on left side of barrel,
patent dates 5-14-89, 4-2-95, 4-7-96----1905-Only
Second Variation, model name & caliber marked on left side of barrel,
patent dates 4-2-95, 4-7-96-------------1906-1908
Third Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel,
patent date 10-8-95---------------------1909-1913
Fourth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel,
no patent date, state not spelled out in address (MASS)--1904-1915
Fifth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel
same as 4th except different font used in barrel markings---1914-1915
Sixth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel.
State name in barrel marking spelled out (MASSACHUSETTS)---1916-1924
Seventh Variation, new grip frame,
there is no step down for the grip panels to fit into------------1925-1942
After 1930 listed in catalogs as; PREMIER No. 30 .22 Rimfire 7 shot PREMIER No. 35.32 S&W 5 shot
VALUE: 100%=$265 60%=$75 Add 10% premium for blue finish; 20% premium 4”, 5” or 6” barrel; 20% premium for 22 rimfire caliber; 10% premium for 7th variation

i would like to ask for help. i realize some people have an aversion to posting full serial number but as a researcher i must tell everyone that partial serial numbers are of no help. only full numbers can be used to try to determine serial number ranges of the different variations of this or other revolvers.
bill

[MIKE204]

I apologize. Didn't think we should use all of a serial number. After looking at what I typed, I realized I gave the wrong first 3 digits. The serial Number is 174475. It has a 4 inch blued barrel. Harrington and Richardson along with Massachusetts spelled out on top of barrell with a Patent date of Nov 8 1895. On left side of barrel it is stamped .22 Rim Fire. Didn't know why rimfire wasn't one word. Thank you very much for the information. MIKE204

[b.goforth]

mike,
thanks for the additional information on your serial number now i can add it to my data base of H&R serial numbers. one day i will be able to give better information using this data base.

it looks like your premier is a second model 6th variation 1916-1924.
bill