[HVance]

Hello H&R revolver fans.
My grandfather-in-law's pistol is stamped:
Top of barrel
SAFETY HAMMER
DOUBLE ACTION
Left side of barrel
H&R ARMS COMPANY
WORCHESTER MASS USA
38 S&W CTGE
Bottom of butt strap
16427
Grip strap under left grip panel
16427

Barrel length
2" + 1/2" frame
Hammer spring
Flat leaf

My understanding from reading this site is that it is post 1904 and is safe for modern .38S&W cartridges. Can anyone help me close in on an approximate date of manufacture?
Also, can the spurless hammer of the SAFETY HAMMER model be replaced with the spured hammer of the AMERICAN? It would make single action more comfortable.
Thanks

 

[hrf]

Welcome to TFF.

Your info agrees with what I was told by the late H&R expert Jim Hauff, i.e. the update for smokeless powder was made in 1905, and caliber added to left side of barrel.

But I believe batch numbering was used on these rather than a continuous serial number sequence, so it could date as early as 1905 or as late as 1941.