I have and old H&R top break revolver that I would like some info on if possible. Top reads Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worcester Mass, U.S.A. Pat. Oct. 4 87 May 14 & Aug.6 89 April 2 95 April 7 1896. Serial # E 43897. There are no caliber markings on the barrel. It appears to have a free rolling cylinder which locks up when hammer is cocked. The trigger when pulled stays in the rearward position even after recocking hammer, is this the way the gun was designed or is it defective? What is the caliber of this gun?
I'll need pictures to positively ID the model, variation, and caliber. ...They made large frames, small frames, hammerless, hammered, bobbed hammers, "bicycle models", etc, etc.
You can get a rough idea of caliber by measure the bore diameter at the muzzle. H&R pretty much only made .22, .32, and .38 caliber handguns back then. (well, they did makes some .44cal solid frames too)
However, the patent dates leads me to believe it is a Large Frame Automatic Ejecting, 2nd Model, 5th Variation. (you mentioned it having a hammer) Which would put the production period of 1897 to 1904(no way to narrow it down). It would also be a blackpowder only gun.
About the trigger - it should return. So, either it is gummed up inside or the trigger spring is worn/broken.
If the bore measures to about .311" to .322", it is chambered in .32S&W(the short one), it should also be 6 shot.
If the bore measures to about .359" to .363", it is chambered in .38S&W(NOT the .38S&W Special), it should be 5 shot.
If you don't have a set of micrometers or calipers - you can use a 9mm cartridge to figure it out. Do as I have pictured below:
You can see that the 9mm doesn't go in anywhere close on the .32cal as it does the .38cal.
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