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Help identify this H&R pistol

David W
I need some help identifying an H&R pistol. It appears to be a double action top break .22 with a hammer. The cylinder has a 7 shot capacity and is auto ejecting. The cylinder and the ejector have a number stamp of 372. I can not see a serial number under the top break latch or anywhere else on the pistol. The barrel is 5" length and is stamped with HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS COMPANY. WORCESTER, MASS. U.S.A PAT. OCT. 4.'87, APR. 2.'95, APR. 7.'96. Their appears to be no other markings anywhere on the barrel to identify model or caliber. The grip appears to be aftermarket/handmade wood and has no identifying marks on it. It has a nickel finish. The overall condition of the pistol is slightly rough but functional.

I don't have any pictures of it right now but if it helps I can post some on Monday-Tuesday.

What model/version is this? What kind of ammunition can be safely fired from this pistol? Where can I find parts for it? The grip is in need of replacement.

Thanks for taking a look, I hope you can help.
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2 comments

Date Votes
  • gandj arms
    i believe i have one also; i have 8in barrel
    0
  • b.goforth
    H&R PREMER FIRST MODEL SMALL FRAME TOP BREAK (BLACK POWDER)-1895-1904
    Small fame double action top break revolver with double top post barrel latch; calibers and cylinder capacity, 22 rimfire-7 rounds, 32 centerfire-5 rounds; Free wheeling cylinder (no automatic cylinder stop); standard finish Nickel with case harden hammer and barrel latch; standard barrel length 3 inches, with 4, 5 and 6 inches available as optional; features a scaled down version of the new frame and double action mechanism introduced in 1890 on the Auto-Ejecting Second Model, does not have caliber marking on left
    NO CALIBER MARKINGS ON LEFT SIDE OF BARREL MANUFACTURED FOR BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE PRESSURES
    First Variation, patent dates 10-4-87, 5-14-89, 2-23-92, serial number range 01*-15,000 (estimate)
    1895-April 1896
    Second Variation, patent dates 10-4-87, 5-14-89, 4-2-95, 4-7-96, serial number range 15,000*-20,000* (estimate)
    May 1896
    Third Variation, patent dates 10-4-87, 4-2-95, 4-7-96, serial number range 20,000* to 100,000* (estimate)
    1897-1898
    Fourth Variation, automatic cylinder stop same patent dates as 3rd variation several different serial number series that may have letter codes---1899-1903
    Fifth Variation use different font in barrel markings and may have an A letter code in the serial number
    1904 -only
    VALUE: 100%=$285 60%=$75 Add 10% premium for blue finish; 20% premium 4", 5" or 6" barrel; 20% premium for 22 rimfire caliber

    H&R PREMER SECOND MODEL SMALL FRAME TOP BREAK R.F. & C.F. --1905-1941
    Small fame double action top break revolver with double top post barrel latch; calibers and cylinder capacity, 22 rimfire-7 rounds, 32 S&W, 5 rounds; automatic cylinder stop; standard finish Nickel with case harden hammer and barrel latch; standard barrel length 3 inches, with 2, 4, 5 and 6 inches available as optional;
    HAS CALIBER MARKINGS ON LEFT SIDE OF BARREL WAS MANUFACTURED FOR SMOKELESS POWDER CARTRIDGE PRESSURES.
    There has not been enough data gathered on serial number to try to come up with a serial number range for the different variations.
    First Variation, model name & caliber marked on left side of barrel, patent dates 5-14-89, 4-2-95, 4-7-96
    1905-Only
    Second Variation, model name & caliber marked on left side of barrel, patent dates 4-2-95, 4-7-96
    1906-1908
    Third Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel, patent date 10-8-95----1909-1913
    Fourth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel, no patent date, state not spelled out in address (MASS)
    1904-1915
    Fifth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel same as 4th except different font used in barrel markings----1914-1915
    Sixth Variation, caliber only marked on left side of barrel. State name in barrel marking spelled out (MASSACHUSETTS)----1916-1924
    Seventh Variation, new grip frame, there is no step down for the grip panels to fit into
    1925-1942
    After 1930 listed in catalogs as; PREMIER No. 30 .22 Rimfire 7 shot & PREMIER No. 35.32 S&W 5 shot
    VALUE: 100%=$265 60%=$75 Add 10% premium for blue finish; 20% premium 4", 5" or 6" barrel; 20% premium for 22 rimfire caliber; 10% premium for 7th variation

    from the patent date marking would appear to be a first model 3rd variation manufacture in the 1897/1898 era and was designed for black powder cartridge pressures only. there sould be a serial number on the bottom of the top strap and either on the left side of the grip frame or the bottom of the butt strap (sometimes in both the grip locations).
    bill
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