Worn out H&R 922

[David2van]

Rather sure that is the number, here are some pics, as you can see the number 2338 is also on the cylinder and the trigger guard. tell me what you think.










I would really like to fit this pistol, I was about to destroy it and make it a wall hanger. Tell me what you think.

[Jim Hauff]

David,
Thanks for the follow-up pics. Well, there certainly is no question as to the 'D' prefix to the serial number. Your 922 is, for sure, a mid-WW2 civilian/commercial revolver - very, very Scarce. Comparing the pic you sent of the frame with my 1940 ('A') 922 - you can see that they match, right down to the four knurled bands on the long cylinder pin. I'm wondering if this, as well as others, was put together from pre-war made parts??? I guess we'll never know. I do know that H&R was heavily into producing weapons for the war effort, and according to period literature, was not producing commercial firearms until "the War is won".
As scarce as your piece is - it certainly deserves to be preserved in some way - definitely not scrapped. It will have collector interest both from H&R knuckleheads (I'm one) as well as WW2 weapons collectors. Can't estimate the RETAIL valuation - but it won't put your dog through obedience school, let alone a kid through college. NICE FIND.
If you have no objections, I'd like to add your pics to my H&R research/reference files???

[David2van]

That's fine with me. Would you like me to take better pictures and post them? If so what type of pictures would you like me to take. I would rather fix this pistol to working condition, so I plan on buying a new trigger from numrich and giving it a go. Dave

[Jim Hauff]

The pics you supplied so far, will suit my needs for frame config. and serial number confirmation. If you wish to post more, please do so. When you have the piece put back together - show us some pics of the finished item.
Thanks.

[Floyd'sSon]

These are some pictures of my H&R 922 D3000 (If it will work. my file size may be too big)

My questions are these:
Should I have a gunsmith clean, repair, and make it able to fire? It was my grandfather's. I can't imagine it needing much repair from over-use.
What is the best way to keep this piece maintained for future collectors/investment?
Will firing it occasionaly depreciate its value?
What ammo should I use?

Thank you very much for keeping this forum active. Its a great source of information.

[jamesjo]

Floyd's son,
Cool, another 1943 model 922.
Jim Hauff is going to like this one, seems maybe H&R put out a few more during the war than originally thought
Don't know why they would, but possibly frames were made in 1943, and assembled after the war effort?
I am by no means an expert, so I will let Jim or others answer your questions.
Nice 922 !!

[Jim Hauff]

Floyd's Son,
DANG, another wartime 922. I don't think you should have to do anything to your gun, if it functions, other than clean it up and keep it lubed. It looks to be in pretty darn good condition.
As a side note: I've seen (and own) quite a few guns from that era with the Nylon monogrips. Most of them had that white residue on them. I found a way to remove that using an old tooth brush, liquid dish detergent and tooth paste. It removes what ever that stuff is (maybe a type of fungus growing on the aliphatic hydrocarbon based "plastic" material???????????)
BTW, your piece is also a 1st Model 5th Variation, due to it's wartime production.
Nice gun, scarce and, IMHO as an H&R collector - a collectible piece.

[Floyd'sSon]

thank you for the information and your speedy reply.
I'll clean it up, and get it lubed. Also, I'll try the detergent/toothpaste combo trick.
Happy New Year!

[Jim Hauff]

Floyd'sSon,
You're welcome - ummm - probably not necessary to mention - but, please remove the grip before you start the cleaning process! Also, use WARM not hot water - really hot water will cause the "plastic" to deform - no need to get into how I "discovered" this factoid.