After reading through the forum, I believe I have post 1905 Young American 22 Top Break double action Revolver. It has the following stamping on top: Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Pat Oct 8, 1898. Serial Number 401 4XX. It is a seven shot cylinder.
The question I have is the revolver's cylinder does not lock in place when the barrel is locked in place. You can spin it to play 'Russian roulette.' It does partially lock when the hammer is pulled into the 'safety' position of trigger. If the trigger is pulled all the way back it fully locks. I have been lead to believe this is not right and there is a safety issue with gun.
I have shot it several times at the local range, with absolutely no issues. Is it safe? Being after 1905 I am thought it was designed to handle modern loads (I typically use 22 shorts). Am I putting myself and others at risk by using the gun?
I look forward to some input from the folks on the forum. I will try to include a photo of the revolver.
L.J. ,
Welcome to the forum.
You have a "PREMIER" small frame auto ejector (the Young America Double Action is a solid frame model.) The Patent date should read: Pat. OCT. 8, 1895. As such, it is a 2nd Model (suitable for smokeless/Nitro powder loads) 3rd Variation made sometime between 1909 and 1913. But with that serial number in the 400K range - it should be a later variation?????????? The "real" serial number will be stamped under the top strap and will be visible by removing the cylinder. If that number is different than the one you see, probably on the butt strap, then you have a gun that was put together from two different pieces.
The "free wheeling" nature of the cylinder is normal for this model. The 3" barrel, Nickel plating and 7 x .22 rimfire are all standard features.
Please check your serial number - bottom of top strap and bottom of butt strap for correctness and match.
Thanks for the reply… I have read several of your posts while trying to figure out what I have. I was hoping you would see the question. Well the 1898 I see is as you show, 1895, probably older eyes reading the engraving. When looking for the other serial number with the magnifying glass, it is confirmed 1895…. Thanks for keeping between the ditches.
You are correct it has the PREMIER 22 RIM FIRE on the side of the barrel. I have taken the cylinder off the barrel and after significant cleaning found the following number 213 7XX
So your statement “If that number is different than the one you see, probably on the butt strap, then you have a gun that was put together from two different pieces.” This confirms this and means someone replace the barrel? The frame number is different by ~200K …. Does that affect the freewheeling aspect?
Based on discussions, reference review these revolvers do not have much value. I was thinking of getting new grips just to have it as close to original. I have seen several with a diamond shape and several with US embossed. Which insignia is correct for this series?
LJ,
Thanks for the follow-up. The s/n 213K is in line with the top rib stamping and that the upper/barrel-cylinder assembly is a 2nd Model 3rd Variation. The s/n in the 401K is in line with either a 4th Var. (1914 - 15) or 5th Var. (same dates - merely a change in barrel markings). The differences in these variations has to do with the cylinder retention system used and in changes to the auto ejection system and apparently, from the evidence of your gun, uppers and lowers are compatible or can easily be made to work together.
BOTH (or all three) variations were/are FREEWHEELING - i.e. the cylinder will not lock up, until hammer is fully cocked in SA or the trigger is pulled completely through it's arc in double action, then just before sear let-off - then full lock-up occurs as the primer is ignited with the cylinder chamber aligned with the barrel/forcing cone. So - your gun is a hybrid/repaired piece - unfortunately, it has no collector value as such.
As to grip panels - the 'diamond' pattern is actually the patented H&R Logo "TARGET w/5 bullet holes" grip which was first used in 1890. Check the grip panel on the bottom gun in the picture I posted, above. The panels marked with U.S. came from an Iver Johnson manufactured "catalogue/hardware store /brand name gun" - and although they may fit or be made to fit your piece - they are not correct.
Any more questions? Glad to answer.
p.s. fuzebox40's answer was correct - I felt compelled to confirm and add a bit more detail.
Thanks for the detail. Thats what makes this process really work well. I appreciate you, fuzebox40 and all that have read my question.
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