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top break pistol

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5 comments

  • givette
    Thought I'd help Staff Sgt. Hardy (with the forum mechanics).

    Pic below is Onegungranny's photo that the Sarge refers to in his initial post. Best, Joe

    1001287.jpg
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  • Jerry Hardy
    quote:Originally posted by givette
    Thought I'd help Staff Sgt. Hardy (with the forum mechanics).

    Pic below is Onegungranny's photo that the Sarge refers to in his initial post. Best, Joe

    1001287.jpg




    Joe
    Thanks so much for the assist with the pic. Have a good one. Jerry
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  • Jerry Hardy
    What I am looking for is any info to the DOM on this piece.What type .38 ammo should be used - black powder or smokeless? Thanks, Jerry
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  • 32 Magnum
    Jerry,
    Your H&R is a smokeless powder version, chambered for .38 S&W (not .38 SPECIAL). The grip panels are not original to the gun, they are for a S&W. The markings indicate manufacture in late 1920s to early 1930s. Serial Number will help pin that down quite a bit - picture would be great help.
    p.s. The little "pin" on the top strap of Granny's gun, is the latch hold open feature found on the early production H&R auto ejectors. This was used to keep the latch in upward position during removal of the cylinder - so the little retaining hook in the latch wouldn't scratch the hell out of the cylinder when unscrewing or pulling it off.
    Jim Hauff, H&R Collector
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  • b.goforth
    this one is a Third model (large frame) H&R Auto-Ejecting. serial number(273248) and barrel markings place it in the 3rd variation range(sometime around 1914). check the serial number carefully as the last three digits on the cylinder should match the one found on the bottom of the top strap and the grip frame. there is a good possiblity this one is not wrth the 60% value quoted belog as it may not have all the original parts (grips and maybe the cylinder). H&R put the serial number on the bottom of the top strap, on the left side of the grip frame (and sometimes on the bottom of the butt) and the last three digits on the cylinder and cylinder star. the serial number on the bottom of the top strap is considered the main location.

    AUTOMATIC EJECTING THIRD MODEL
    (SMOKELESS POWDER)
    1905-1940
    Auto-ejecting mechanism, Calibers 32 S&W Long, 6 shot cylinder capacity, 38 S&W caliber 5 shot cylinder capacity, hard rubber grip panels with Target Logo, nickel finish (blue optional), barrel lengths of 2? (rare), 3? (standard), 4, 5 & 6 inches available, top of barrel markings include company name and address and early production has patent dates, the one recognizable difference in the Second and Third Models is the caliber is marked on the left side of the barrel on the Third Model. "IF IT HAS A CALIBER MARKED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL THEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR SMOKELESS POWDER"
    First Variation 4 patent dates (5-14 & 8-6-89, 4-2-95, 4-7-97) model name and caliber on left side of barrel
    1905-1908
    Second Variation 2 patent dates (8-6-89 and 10-8-95) model name and caliber on left side of barrel
    1909-1912
    Third Variation no patent dates the name of the state is marked as MASS
    1913-1915
    Fourth Variation no patent dates the state name of Massachusetts is spelled---1916-1924
    Fifth Variation new grip frame, it is now the same size as the rest of the frame with no step down for the grip panel-1925-1941
    After 1931 listed in Catalogs as: AUTOMATIC EJECTING No. 10 .32 S&W LONG CALIBER 6 shots and AUTOMATIC EJECTING No. 25 .38 S&W CALIBER 5 shots
    After 1932 listed in Catalogs as: AUTOMATIC EJECTING No. 10 .32 S&W LONG CALIBER 6 shots; AUTOMATIC EJECTING No. 20..38 S&W CALIBER 5 shots
    VALUE: 100%=$235 60%=$85 For all Auto-Ejecting 3rd Models; add 75% premium for 2?" barrel; add 25% for 4", 5" & 6" barrels; add 15% for blue finish;

    the picture from onegungranny is not a good example as it is the some what rare first model second variation manufactured about 1885-1889.
    bill
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