H&R Hammerless high serial Number - The Firearms Forum

Old Gun Guy · 08-17-2011, 10:54 AM

Hello!
I recently picked up this H&R hammerless .38 S&W large frame revolver with a high serial number. The Blue Book Of Gun Values lists this as a 2nd model large frame, 4th variation. It shows this revolver was manufactured in 1913-1915. The serial # range they give is 120000-160000(estimate). The one I show has the serial # of 357169. This # is on the bottom of the butt, left side of the grip strap, under the top strap, and last 3 digits are on the cylinder.
Jim, will this affect the serial # range that's listed in the new H&R book?
Old Gun Guy

Jim Hauff · 08-17-2011, 12:24 PM

Old Gun Guy,
No that will not affect the s/n range - BECAUSE - it's not a HAMMERLESS MODEL. What you have there is 3rd Model 3rd Variation POLICE AUTOMATIC EJECTING made between 1913 and 1915. The POLICE AEs were equipped with the H&R Patented "SAFETY HAMMER" - non spurred, but same mass as the one with the spur, hammer.
These are fairly commonly found although in much less quantities than the very popular AUTOMATIC/AUTO EJECTING variants.
Yours looks to be in pretty darn good shape, from the pics maybe 80 to 85% finish, with some dings, grips smoothed out a bit from handling - worth at RETAIL, currently, probably in the $125 to $145 range. It is a smokeless model - so if it's in safe condition - shoot it. Checking in my reference file - I see that your piece has a high serial number for a "POLICE" variant.
Here's a pic of one of mine with the safety hammer, followed by a TRUE HAMMERLESS LARGE FRAME:

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Old Gun Guy · 08-17-2011, 01:39 PM

Jim,
You are absolutely correct. I knew it was a safety-hammer, but for some stupid reason I called it a "hammerless" , and even looked it up under that mistake. Another of my frequent "senior moments".
Thanks Jim!
Old Gun Guy

Jim Hauff · 08-17-2011, 03:48 PM

Old Gun Guy,
Wadda ya talking about?

When did we talk about this?

Who are you?

Who the hell am I?

What the hell is this stuff?:
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oldmedik · 08-18-2011, 11:00 AM

those are smart pills you take 2 three times a day for two weeks watch the improvement.

Jim Hauff · 08-18-2011, 11:37 AM

Oldmedik, don't tell anyone else - actually those are Chipmunk turds - got a tame one running around - watched him leave these for me. Don't see these very often - that's a "macro" close-up.

08-17-2011, 10:54 AM	#1
Old Gun Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: N. Utah Contributor Posts: 489	H&R Hammerless high serial Number Hello! I recently picked up this H&R hammerless .38 S&W large frame revolver with a high serial number. The Blue Book Of Gun Values lists this as a 2nd model large frame, 4th variation. It shows this revolver was manufactured in 1913-1915. The serial # range they give is 120000-160000(estimate). The one I show has the serial # of 357169. This # is on the bottom of the butt, left side of the grip strap, under the top strap, and last 3 digits are on the cylinder. Jim, will this affect the serial # range that's listed in the new H&R book? Old Gun Guy -->

08-17-2011, 12:24 PM	#2
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R Hammerless high serial Number Old Gun Guy, No that will not affect the s/n range - BECAUSE - it's not a HAMMERLESS MODEL. What you have there is 3rd Model 3rd Variation POLICE AUTOMATIC EJECTING made between 1913 and 1915. The POLICE AEs were equipped with the H&R Patented "SAFETY HAMMER" - non spurred, but same mass as the one with the spur, hammer. These are fairly commonly found although in much less quantities than the very popular AUTOMATIC/AUTO EJECTING variants. Yours looks to be in pretty darn good shape, from the pics maybe 80 to 85% finish, with some dings, grips smoothed out a bit from handling - worth at RETAIL, currently, probably in the $125 to $145 range. It is a smokeless model - so if it's in safe condition - shoot it. Checking in my reference file - I see that your piece has a high serial number for a "POLICE" variant. Here's a pic of one of mine with the safety hammer, followed by a TRUE HAMMERLESS LARGE FRAME: __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

08-17-2011, 01:39 PM	#3
Old Gun Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: N. Utah Contributor Posts: 489	Re: H&R Hammerless high serial Number Jim, You are absolutely correct. I knew it was a safety-hammer, but for some stupid reason I called it a "hammerless" , and even looked it up under that mistake. Another of my frequent "senior moments". Thanks Jim! Old Gun Guy

08-17-2011, 03:48 PM	#4
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R Hammerless high serial Number Old Gun Guy, Wadda ya talking about? When did we talk about this? Who are you? Who the hell am I? What the hell is this stuff?: __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

08-18-2011, 11:00 AM	#5
oldmedik Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: south west ga. Posts: 48	Re: H&R Hammerless high serial Number those are smart pills you take 2 three times a day for two weeks watch the improvement.

08-18-2011, 11:37 AM	#6
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R Hammerless high serial Number Oldmedik, don't tell anyone else - actually those are Chipmunk turds - got a tame one running around - watched him leave these for me. Don't see these very often - that's a "macro" close-up. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie