I have a Forehand Arms Co. Worcester, Mass Double Action Pat'd June 2 189?
in .38 S&W serial No. 104485 very good condition, works well.
I also have a Safety Hammer Double Action in .32 caliber, the hammer is marked with the "Patented April 6, 1887", the revolver is in very good condition and functions well. There is no serial number
Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth were sons-in-law of Ethan Allen and took over the Allen company when Allen died, and renamed it Forehand & Wadsworth. In 1890, Wadsworth retired and the company became Forehand Arms Co. Forehand died in 1898, but the company continued operations until 1902, when it was taken over by Hopkins & Allen. That gun straddles the 1 Jan 1899 date for antiques under federal law, and production records are lost, so it might or might not be in the antique category.
The other gun was made by Harrington & Richardson. It was made and named in an effort to compete with Iver Johnson's transfer bar safety, which IJ publicized with a picture of the spur of a revolver hammer being struck with a carpenter's hammer to show that the IJ would not fire if dropped or the hammer struck. H&R didn't retool to use the same system, they simply put out a revolver without the hammer spur, somewhat safer since the hammer was less likely to be struck or the gun be dropped on the spur. But, in spite of H&R's hype, the gun would not be safe to carry with a round under the hammer.
Those are interesting guns, but do not have a high value; the Forehand is in good shape and might bring $200 or so, the H&R about the same or a bit less.
K75RT,
As Jim K. said - the 2nd is an H&R AMERICAN DOUBLE ACTION with the patented "SAFETY HAMMER". Your piece is an early 1st Model made between 1887 and 1897 - serial number will be found under the left grip panel stamped into the bottom cross strut. It is an "official BATFE" antique and intended for use with BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGES. Looks to be in pretty good condition - I'd estimate a bit higher than Jim on the collector value, and antique status - I've seen them sell around $250+.
Thank you both Jim K and Jim Hauff; these are a friend of mine's guns and he has had them in a drawer for several years. Your replies are sincerely appreciated. K75RT
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