Very old HR top break. Caliber?
No caliber markings on the gun at all. Looks like possibly a 32 or 25. The cylinder holes look bigger than the barrel bore. The barrels forcing cone seems non existent. Some 18** patent date on top of the barrel. Is it possible that it's a black powder cartridge gun? Don't have pictures. It's a old HR top break revolver.
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First, you need pics!
Second, you might try to see if it's a centerfire or rimfire? You might measure the diameter of the cylinders. Then if you can, take your best stab at measuring the diameter of the bore. See if there is a shoulder in the cylinders.0 -
H&R made .22 rimfire topbreaks, and in .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, and .38 S&W centerfire calibers. Lack of caliber marking on side of barrel indicates a black powder era example. 0 -
I don't have the gun, friend showed it to me for advice. Black powder seems logical. I never seen a black powder metallic cartridge round yet. Hammer has a pin kind of like early revolvers. If black powder, than are these cartridges still available? .32 seems right, got to measure to make sure. 0 -
Search the antique section of the auction site for H&R revolvers.
Compare.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 511pe
I don't have the gun, friend showed it to me for advice. Black powder seems logical. I never seen a black powder metallic cartridge round yet. Hammer has a pin kind of like early revolvers. If black powder, than are these cartridges still available? .32 seems right, got to measure to make sure.
In terms of modern production, that's not surprising, but black powder cartridges were all there was from the 1840s invention of the metallic cartridge through 1886.
Not available in modern loadings. It's probably a .32 Smith and Wesson, and if so handloading is easy enough once you're set up. Assuming the gun locks up tight and indexes properly that is.0 -
If it's a .32, they will unfortunately nicely chamber .32 Auto ammo, which is semi-rimmed: So just in case, be sure your friend does NOT fire these in the old gun, as the .32 ACP round creates far more pressure than black powder .32 S&W! 0 -
American made top break and cheap solid frame side loading revolvers were sold at least up to WW2 by Stoeger and others. This was 40-50 years into the smokeless powder era.
They should all be safe for standard low pressure modern loads if the revolvers are tight and in good condition.
It's without merit to assume all top break revolvers are black powder only guns.0 -
quote:Originally posted by v35
American made top break and cheap solid frame side loading revolvers were sold at least up to WW2 by Stoeger and others. This was 40-50 years into the smokeless powder era.
They should all be safe for standard low pressure modern loads if the revolvers are tight and in good condition.
It's without merit to assume all top break revolvers are black powder only guns.
No one implied that all top break revolvers are black powder only guns, but Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson didn't upgrade materials and construction of their topbreaks for smokeless powder loads until ca 1909. Standard smokeless powder loads won't blow them up, but will rapidly loosen them up. H&R added the caliber to side of barrel when they upgraded, which indicates his gun was earlier.0 -
hrf has it correct.
IJ - 1909; H&R - 1905. I have H&R boxes from around the 1905 era - one of which has a glued on label stating "FOR BLACK POWDER ONLY".
Obviously, H&R was selling off old stock AND recognized the need to let the purchaser know what he was getting.0 -
quote:Originally posted by hrf
If it's a .32, they will unfortunately nicely chamber .32 Auto ammo, which is semi-rimmed: So just in case, be sure your friend does NOT fire these in the old gun, as the .32 ACP round creates far more pressure than black powder .32 S&W!
Just for S&G, I loaded my 2nd model .32 S&W top break (1882 vintage) with .32 ACP, and the ACP round had approx 4mm of brass extending from the rear of the cylinder. Couldn't close the action. Joe0
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