.38 cal top break black powder question
Hello my name is Alan, I have never used this forum before and not really sure how to insert a pic. But to cut the chase. I have a h&r top break for use with black powder. The serial no #620 its in good shape and still fully operational. I think some one has done some work on it because the barrel top strap and cilinder are blued and the frame has a coppercolored blue. Ive never seen this before. Any one have an idea of its value. It has the standard 3.25 barrel.it is a large frame .38. Thanks Alan
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Need quality photos for accurate identification and valuation.
This link give instructions for posting photos.
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294
The off color blue on the frame is commonly found on guns that have been commercially refinished.0 -
"copper colored blue" is a sign of a poor reblue job. Most were designed to shoot black powder, but the smokless low pressure loading was deemed safe for these also. 0 -
alewyn,
IIRC, there was an H&R Auto Ejecting offered on one of the on-line auction sites which matches your description, within the past two to three weeks.
The vendor had the description of that one pretty well screwed up.
The piece had been buffed out and cold reblued - hence the "copper colored" lower frame. The actual serial number will be found by pulling the cylinder and viewing it stamped into the under side of the top strap. If you provide that number and what is stamped into the top of the barrel rib, I can provide the REAL/ACTUAL ID of your piece for you.
Value as it stands (refinished) is as a shooter - if smokeless powder capable, a couple bucks more, if a black powder model - much less - but may sell in the $75 +/- $15 range. It has no collector value in that condition.
cbylerly,
Just for informational purposes - all the H&R hinged frame revolvers made in 1905 to 1941 were made specifically for use with smokeless powder. If you include all the PREMIERS, LARGE Frame HAMMERLESS, SMALL frame HAMMERLESS as well as the full size AUTOMATIC/AUTO EJECTING that number of total pieces will approach 8 MILLION. Previous to 1905, the black powder capable units probably numbered around 500,000 - so MOST of these were designed to shoot smokeless powder.0 -
quote:Originally posted by alewynn
quote:Originally posted by 32 Magnum
alewyn,
IIRC, there was an H&R Auto Ejecting offered on one of the on-line auction sites which matches your description, within the past two to three weeks.
The vendor had the description of that one pretty well screwed up.
The piece had been buffed out and cold reblued - hence the "copper colored" lower frame. The actual serial number will be found by pulling the cylinder and viewing it stamped into the under side of the top strap. If you provide that number and what is stamped into the top of the barrel rib, I can provide the REAL/ACTUAL ID of your piece for you.
Value as it stands (refinished) is as a shooter - if smokeless powder capable, a couple bucks more, if a black powder model - much less - but may sell in the $75 +/- $15 range. It has no collector value in that condition.
cbylerly,
Just for informational purposes - all the H&R hinged frame revolvers made in 1905 to 1941 were made specifically for use with smokeless powder. If you include all the PREMIERS, LARGE Frame HAMMERLESS, SMALL frame HAMMERLESS as well as the full size AUTOMATIC/AUTO EJECTING that number of total pieces will approach 8 MILLION. Previous to 1905, the black powder capable units probably numbered around 500,000 - so MOST of these were designed to shoot smokeless powder.
This gun is currently on gunbroker aution #232265289. The number under the top strap is 620. The cylinder and under the grip is the same 620. Check it out and see what you think. Thanks Alan
I think im getting the hang of this picture download.0 -
Al,
From the pics - it is clearly a 1st Model LARGE FRAME HAMMERLESS made between 1899 and 1904. This ID from the push button latch hold open and lack of cartridge stamp on left side of the barrel. It is, obviously, a low serial numbered piece - probably made within the first couples weeks of production start-up in 1899 (month unknown.)
If visible - the top of the barrel rib should be stamped:
PAT. OCT.4,'87, MAY 14 & AUG.5,'89, APRIL 2,'95, APRIL 7,1896.
Since it is pre - 1905 (the year H&R switched all handguns to smokeless powder capabilities) it was made for blackpowder loadings.
But having been made in 1899, it is not an "official" antique item.
It sure looks to me as though it has been refinished.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 32 Magnum
Al,
From the pics - it is clearly a 1st Model LARGE FRAME HAMMERLESS made between 1899 and 1904. This ID from the push button latch hold open and lack of cartridge stamp on left side of the barrel. It is, obviously, a low serial numbered piece - probably made within the first couples weeks of production start-up in 1899 (month unknown.)
If visible - the top of the barrel rib should be stamped:
PAT. OCT.4,'87, MAY 14 & AUG.5,'89, APRIL 2,'95, APRIL 7,1896.
Since it is pre - 1905 (the year H&R switched all handguns to smokeless powder capabilities) it was made for blackpowder loadings.
But having been made in 1899, it is not an "official" antique item.
It sure looks to me as though it has been refinished.
32 Mag, Yes those are the pat. dates. My grand father owned it then my dad now hes passed and I have no interest in it so I thought someone else would like it. Im wondering if 125.00 is too much to start this on the auction. I thought it might fetch 150.00 because of the low serial #. What are your thoughts.
Thanks for your replys.... Al0 -
It's a black powder gun - not much shooter interest - ammo is difficult to find and if found very expensive. You NEED to list it as such for safety reasons.
It has been REFINISHED and the color change is very obvious - it has no collector value.
Stranger things have happened on the auction side (like the NIB 1994 H&R SPORTSMAN that sold for a bit over $1000 in Jan.), but I'd be surprised if you get an offer over $50 as a parts gun. Simply my opinion as an H&R collector.0
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