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Idenifing a H&R revolver

onegungranny
Hi there, I'm looking for some help with idenifing a gun I found in my grandpa's lockbox...It say on the top of the barrel..Harrington & Richardson Arms Company and the bottom line reads...Worchester Mass USA Patd Oct 4TH 1887.. it seems to be in pretty good condtion..it has no serial numbers that I can find only the number 227 where the round 5 hole caliber comes out from and the numbers 927 on the 5 hole part. I have tried to research this myself but I can't find one that looks like this one because the handgrip is different, so I thought maybe that part has been replaced at some point. When the gun is in normal postion the round caliber still moves around, not sure if it's suppose to still do that or not..but when you pull the trigger it moves smoothly around each hole...if anyone could give me some help I would greatly appreciate it and if you would also happen to know of a price for such a piece....I could post some pictures but I can't find a place on here where says to add pixs..Thank you in advance, granny
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    At this link are instructions for posting photos in the forum.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294
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  • onegungranny
    Thank you for the info on how to upload photo's..here are some...the last one I was trying to show the inscription of the makers name and date but I just couldn't get a close up.
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/6972/1001287.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/2370/1001286.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/5002/1001285t.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/5558/1001284s.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/2020/1001283.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/1900/1001288m.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img836/5738/1001290.jpg
    This is the only way I could figure it out for now, just click on the link to the pic..Thanks
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  • rufe-snow
    Your pictures are of excellent quality. It appears from the physical appearance of the revolver and the grips, that it's a First Model H & R Automatic Ejecting Revolver. This particular model was only made for a short time in the late 1880's. It's chambered for the Black Powder version of the 38 S & W cartridge. Don't attempt to fire modern made ammo in this revolver!

    Because it's a First Model, in Very Good condition, with original grips, it might have added value to a collector. I don't know enough about the market value of the older H & R revolvers to make an estimate of it's current value?
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  • onegungranny
    Thank you for all your information...something told me to get more info about it before I sold it...I had an offer of 50.00 on it but it didn't feel right to me considering it's at least 120 yrs old...Thanks bunches, Granny
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  • b.goforth
    this revolver is a first model 2nd varitation H&R Auto-Ejecting revolver, manufactured 1887-1889. serial number locations will be on the bottom of the top strap and on the left side of the grip frame under the grip.

    AUTOMATIC EJECTING FIRST MODEL TOP BREAK REVOLVER
    (BLACK POWDER)
    1885-1889
    Auto-ejecting mechanism, Calibers 32 S&W, 6 shot cylinder capacity, 38 S&W caliber 5 shot cylinder capacity, hard rubber grip panels with Floral design, 3? inch barrel length, Modified American Double Action mechanism and frame, nickel finish,
    First Variation marked on top of barrel with company name and address only and two guide rods for ejector
    1885-1886
    Second Variation patent date 10-4-87 marked on top of barrel along with company name and address, extractor does not have extra guide rods--1887-1889
    VALUE: 100%=$325 60%=$125 add 30% premium for 1st Variation

    bill
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  • onegungranny
    Thanks Bill for your input..If I remove the hand grip, there should be a serial # there?..Also what will the serial # tell me about the revolver?..Thanks
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  • b.goforth
    on this model (very low production) the serial number won't tell us much. there are no factory records for this model. the serial number might help us understand just how many of these were actually made. so far all that have showed up have a four digit number. believe it or not there are people out there who collect H&R revolvers.

    my book on H&R firearms is at the publisher's now in the final stages of editing hopeful it will be out soon.
    bill
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  • onegungranny
    Thats awesome Bill...you definately know your guns to publish a book and thank goodness for me[:)]. I did remove the handgrip and there was only 3 numbers..227..I took a picture of it without the grip..
    http://a.imageshack.us/img291/6374/1001298o.jpg
    http://a.imageshack.us/img291/5035/1001297x.jpg
    So is that the serial number?
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  • b.goforth
    the problem with H&R is some times they did not put the full serial number on the left grip strap. check the bottom of the top strap (remove the cylinder to see). hopefully that serial number will have another number (or maybe two) in front of the 227 and that will be the serial number. so far i have never seen a first model second variation with a three digit number.
    bill
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  • onegungranny
    Hi Bill, I just rechecked the numbers again and there is nowhere on this gun that has a 4 digit number...I took another photo of where you were telling me to look and the number 227 is also there. The number on the cylinder is 927 by the way...Does this make the revolver more rare and possibly more valuable? Thanks, granny
    http://a.imageshack.us/img714/2049/1001303m.jpg
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