H&R 32SW Top Break? - The Firearms Forum

smoknc6z06 · 02-26-2011, 11:16 PM

Hello, a customer came into our shop and brought this gun. It is an H&R 32SW top break. The only markings on top of the just say Harrington and Richardson, but no patent dates. The serial number is 4119xx. The gun is in pristine shape. Hopefully some of the experts can shed some more light on this model. One thing is that you can rotate the clilnder when the hammer is down. It locks up when in single and double action. Is this normal for this model?
Thanks in advance!

smoknc6z06 · 02-26-2011, 11:20 PM

More pics.

Jim Hauff · 02-27-2011, 08:58 AM

Smokn - Welcome to the forum.
You have an H&R 3rd Model 3rd Variation, circa 1913-'15, this ID from the markings. It appears to be a very nice example - standard 3.25" barrel and Nickel plated finish w/ blued trigger guard. Examining all the excellent pics - it looks as though it wasn't fired much. It was made capable of handling smokeless cartridges - .32 S&W and .32 S&W LONG - NOTE: the freewheeling cylinder (when not cocked) is typical of the AutoEjecting/Automatic models, carried over from circa 1884-1930's - not automatic cylinder stop on that one.
Just for the heck of it - here's a pic of a rare sub-variation of that Auto Ejecting Model, made around the same time as yours.
Name: IMG_1877_3.jpg
Views: 138
Size: 125.4 KB

Name: IMG_1877_3.jpg
Views: 138
Size: 125.4 KB

02-26-2011, 11:16 PM	#1
smoknc6z06 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	H&R 32SW Top Break? Hello, a customer came into our shop and brought this gun. It is an H&R 32SW top break. The only markings on top of the just say Harrington and Richardson, but no patent dates. The serial number is 4119xx. The gun is in pristine shape. Hopefully some of the experts can shed some more light on this model. One thing is that you can rotate the clilnder when the hammer is down. It locks up when in single and double action. Is this normal for this model? Thanks in advance! Attached Images --> Last edited by smoknc6z06; 02-26-2011 at 11:22 PM..

02-26-2011, 11:20 PM	#2
smoknc6z06 Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	Re: H&R 32SW Top Break? More pics. Attached Images

02-27-2011, 08:58 AM	#3
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R 32SW Top Break? Smokn - Welcome to the forum. You have an H&R 3rd Model 3rd Variation, circa 1913-'15, this ID from the markings. It appears to be a very nice example - standard 3.25" barrel and Nickel plated finish w/ blued trigger guard. Examining all the excellent pics - it looks as though it wasn't fired much. It was made capable of handling smokeless cartridges - .32 S&W and .32 S&W LONG - NOTE: the freewheeling cylinder (when not cocked) is typical of the AutoEjecting/Automatic models, carried over from circa 1884-1930's - not automatic cylinder stop on that one. Just for the heck of it - here's a pic of a rare sub-variation of that Auto Ejecting Model, made around the same time as yours. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 02-27-2011 at 11:41 AM..