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Age and Value on 2 old revolvers

trauma1rn
I got 2 of my dad's old revolvers and don't know anything about them. Pistol #1 is a break top and has Harrington & Richardson arms company Worcester Mass USA; Pat Oct 4'87, May 14 & Aug 6'89, April 2'95, April 7 1896. The serial # F26482. What caliber, when was it made and about how much is it worth (good condition)?

Pistol # 1 I was unable to find s serial #, on top of barrel it reads The American Double Action. It also has an octagon barrel. The interesting thing is that on the inside of the grips it looks like someone etched in the number 747 on each one. I am sure it is a H&R. Same questions as above.

Thanks[8D]
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • 32 Magnum
    Pistol #1 - that series of Patent dates was used on two H&R revolvers:
    The Large Frame Auto-Ejecting 2nd Model 3rd Variation made 1898 - 1904 and the Large Frame Hammerless 1st Model 1899 - 1904. 'F' prefix seems to have been used in 1902 and 1903. If it has a hammer it is Auto-Ejecting, if no hammer it is a Hammerless. If it has six holes in the cylinder it is chambered for .32 S&W and .32 H&R Long (obsolete); if it has five holes it is chambered for .38 S&W. In any case - it is a black powder capable firearm and should not be fired with modern smokeless/Nitro powder cartridges. Current value (Retail): depending upon condition $75 for a poor condition parts gun to around $300 for as new with box. A hand's on exam or good pictures would be needed to determine actual condition and value.
    Pistol #2: It is an H&R American Double Action Model. If there is no caliber/cartridge designation on the left side of the barrel it is pre 1904, (when H&R switched their firearms to smokeless capable)and a Model 1 (1883-1904). If a Model 1 and nickel plated, if the trigger guard is also nickeled it was made before 1897, if trigger guard is blue, it was made 1897-1904. If there is a cartridge stamp, it is a Model 2, made from 1905 to 1941. The serial number should be stamped into the bottom strut on the left side of the grip frame, under the grip panel. H&R firearms were hand fitted and the black, hard rubber grips were fitted to the semi-finished frame - the three digits scratched into the backs of both grip panels are the last three digits of the frame serial number and were intended to keep the fitted parts together for final assembly after final polish and finish. As with #1 - 6 shot - .32; 5 shot - .38. Again, hands on or pictures would be necessary to give a good evaluation - retail ranges from about $25 to $225, poor to excellent.

    Note: historical data courtesy of Bill Goforth's research, hardware data courtesy of my collection. Check 29th Ed. of "The Blue Book of Gun Values" by S. Fjestadt for more information.
    Jim Hauff
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  • trauma1rn
    Gun #1 is a 6 shot, and does have a hammer. It has a blued trigger guard.

    Gun # 2 I did find a 3 digit number that was 747, the same as on the grips. Does that sound right? Is this considered a low serial number? How many were made? It is a nickel finish and the trigger guard is also nickel and is a 5 shot. No cartridge stamp on the left side was found.

    Thanks again for all your information.
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  • 32 Magnum
    quote:Originally posted by trauma1rn
    Gun #1 is a 6 shot, and does have a hammer. It has a blued trigger guard.
    Then it is chambered for the .32 cartridges mentioned and was made between 1897 and 1904 - which fits with the current thought that the 'F' prefix was used in 1902 and 1903. It is a black powder capable piece.
    Gun # 2 I did find a 3 digit number that was 747, the same as on the grips. Does that sound right? Is this considered a low serial number? How many were made? It is a nickel finish and the trigger guard is also nickel and is a 5 shot. No cartridge stamp on the left side was found.
    That does sound correct. 747 serial number was probably used several times during the production of the first Model. Earliest variations had a round barrel and the trigger guard was held on to the frame by a screw at front and a cross pin at back - so yours is not of the earliest types. Nickel trigger guard indicates production before 1897 so it is a black powder ANTIQUE piece. 5 shot indicates .38 S&W black powder cartridge.
    Thanks again for all your information.

    You're welcome, glad to have been of help.
    Jim Hauff
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