[Jbeamer3577]

I just bought this revolver yesterday at a Gun Show ($125) and tried researching it when I got home, because the man I purchased it from told me I could only use S&W 38 cartridges in it (after I paid him). I can't seem to find THIS revolver anywhere. The serial number is 293xxx and I would like to know it's age, is it Black Powder cartridges only, and if so, can I purchase them anywhere...and did I get taken? I love how it feels in my hand, it's lightweight and I would really like to shoot it. My husband cleaned it and everything seems to work properly.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

After doing a bit more research on this revolver this morning, it looks to me that I am going to have a very hard time finding cartridges for this gun. I was hoping to finally have one of my own for protection, but this is not looking so good. Can you tell me if there are any other cartridges on the market that can be fired through this gun?

 

[Jbeamer3577]

I posted 3 pictures of the revolver and the serial number is located on the butt of the gun as well as underneath the barrel, (above the cartridge chamber). On the inside, around the cylinder, the last three digits of the serial # are stamped into it twice. #293183 is the number. There is no letter before the number. In one of the pictures I posted, it shows the name, Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. Worcester, Mass. U.S.A, on top of barrel. On the left side of the barrel, it reads, AUTO EJECTING 38 S&W CTGE. It holds 5 cartridges. I looked all over the Gun Show and no luck finding the 38 S&W cartridges. I will check out local gun shops, but I've noticed all the shelves are pretty empty when looking for any bullets. Thank you for responding. As you can tell, I don't have much knowledge about guns. My husband is, but he has no clue about this one.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Thank you both very much. I'm glad to know the year of this gun and I really do like it, so I am now on a quest to find ammo for it. I'm really looking forward to shooting it. Hopefully very soon.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

I was able to find the 38 S&W ammo online for $24.99 and I ordered one box of rounds. I would like to shoot it at least once, but I'm not sure I will keep this revolver. I am looking for something for protection that is not bulky and hard for me to handle. Because of it's age, I would not want anything to go wrong if I needed it. I think I have talked myself out of keeping it. I need something more dependable. It really is a pretty revolver. (From a girl's point)

 

[Jbeamer3577]

I appreciate the input gentlemen, and I'm truly not offended. I didn't buy this to protect myself from a fleeing man 100 yards away. I live out in the country next to a river and I enjoy spending a lot of time fishing. I have been lucky so far as to not run into any Mountain Lions, which are pretty thick through there. This is why I felt the need to have something for protection. I'm sure a .38 will either make him/her run away or at least take him/her down long enough for another round. Like I said in my earlier posts, I don't have much knowledge of guns, and that is why I joined this forum. My husband is an avid hunter and we have a houseful of weapons, but for myself personally, I never had any interest in them. I figured if I was going to be a gun owner, I better start taking some classes and learn as much as I can about them, before using them. I have made up my mind to sell this Harrington & Richardson, and look for something more modern. It is a beautiful revolver and I'm still looking forward to firing it. Thank you both for commenting and giving your opinions.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Good afternoon Vance. I would love to put this up for auction, but I'm new to this and I read where you have to have at least 50 posts to sell on here and I have no idea which auction site allows you to sell weapons. I know Ebay does not. The cartridges I bought online say's it's 38 S&W short and because of high demand of all ammo, it will take up to 26 days to ship. So it looks like it will be awhile before I get to see any light show from this gun.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Oh wow, I really like that one. Thank you so much for finding this and sharing it. Looking at the dimensions of this revolver, it will fit nicely into my tackle bag too. I've noticed finding the .22 ammo locally is pretty hard to do now. Seems like all the shelves have been empty for awhile, but thanks to my husband, we have a cache of them at home. I've never heard of Heritage, do you know much about them? Are they pretty dependable? Again, thank you so much for sending me this link. I will go look at it again and do a little research. I'm in Oregon, do these places ship weapons or do I need to find a dealer to have it shipped too? I looked into shipping my son his guns to Alaska once and he needed to find a dealer that was willing to receive them for him over there.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Thanks for the input SARGE. So if it's not black only, what other cartridge can be used in my pistol? I've read that if I use anything other then the 38 S&W rounds in it, it could cause problems. I really am excited to shoot it, but have a long wait for ammo.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Kaeto, I will have to wait until March when I receive the 38 S&W ammo for this revolver before I can sell it. I will only sell to recoup my costs. I paid $125 for the gun, $10 background fee, $24.99 for rounds, plus shipping. I have no other guns that this ammo can be used in, so I would have no use for it. Due to high demand of orders on ammo, shipping has been delayed.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Thank you FATSTRAT for the info...I do like the Ruger to, and I'm considering that one. I got a little scared at the river today, so I am looking locally for one ASAP. Too many cat tracks for me!

 

[Jbeamer3577]

FATSTRAT, Thanks for sending me the email, but the link for the auction didn't come up. It had a bunch of stars instead of the name, so I wasn't able to see it.
I tried emailing you back, but it won't let me because I don't have enough posts. Our town is wiped out of any and all pistols. I have looked everywhere and
was told I would have to go to Portland to find any. I'm hitting the Estate Sales in the morning, maybe I can find one there. I'm going shooting on Sunday and wish I could
shoot this H&R 38...Oh well, just trying to get some practice in. I could kick myself in the butt, I inherited some guns from my uncle several years ago, including his police
revolver and I sold them all. I wish I would have kept at least one. My husband hunts, so his are all rifles and I don't want to shoot those. He does have a 357 Smith & Wesson that I'm going
shoot this weekend, so maybe if I like it I can just take it from him. Not really wanting something THAT powerful though.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

You guys have all been very helpful in my questions, but I have GREAT news!! I went to get my salmon tag this morning and our local Bi-Mart had a special order of 38 S&W rounds and I bought them..I just came in from shooting my H&R 38 revolver and I LOVE IT..I was able to hit my target and put a pretty nice hole through it. It shoots a little high, but other then that, it's a great pistol and I am going to keep it. I still plan on purchasing a more modern Revolver but until then I'll be packing this one to the river. I am so excited!! If I do decide to sell it, I will let you know.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

Just to stir up the pot, one like this is on it's way to my dealer. It was made some time after 1948 and before about 1980. In 22 i'ts a wee bit easier on the wallet to shoot.

Congratulations Sarge on your purchase. That is a sweet little pistol. I shot mine today and I absolutely LOVE it.

 

[Jbeamer3577]

I need one more post in order to respond to my private messages, so here's to number 15 and now I can send messages!