H&R 44 Revolver

wipala

September 02, 2004 19:57

I bought a revolver marked Safety Hammer Double Action a 5 shot 44 revolver made in the early 1900's. One of my books states it was made in 44 special another says 44 Centerfire. I'm wondering which is right. Is this a 44 special or something more like a 44 Russian
Anyone know about this gun.

"When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil."
- Max Lerner

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  rufe-snow

  September 02, 2004 22:20

  I got a reference that identifies the revolver as the "American" or "American Double Action", and the cartridge as the 44 Webley.
  
  The 44 Webley differs in dimension from the S & W Russian by being larger in diameter, (.470 ) and shorter in overall length, (1.100 ). Measure your cylinder with a caliper, see if it checks out.
  
  

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  b.goforth

  September 03, 2004 08:55

  wipala,
  the 'safety hammer double action' variant of h&r's american double action revolver was manufactured between 1888 and 1941. the 44 webley caliber was discontinued in 1920. since h&r did not change to smokeless powder until 1905 the production of this revolver spans the black and smokeless powder eras. the best method of determining the age of these revolvers is by the company name and address marked on the left side of the barrel. the black powder models did not have this marking as it was only added in 1905. if there are no company name and address marked on the left side of the barrel this your revolver was manufactured for black powder cartridge pressures only.
  no markings on barrel black powder only manufactured 1888-1904, company name and address marking smokeless powder 1905-1920.
  
  these revolvers will also chamber a cartridge called the 44 bulldog, short version of the 44 webley. even if they will chamber them, the pressures of all the other 44 caliber cartridges would be to great for this revolver.
  b.goforth

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  wipala

  September 04, 2004 20:44

  Thanks this nails it down perfectly. This one does not have any marks on the barrel. So it is definately a looker not a boomer. Unless of course any of you guys have a few black powder 44 webley rounds you want to donate.[:D] Thanks again to BG and RS for their halp.
  
  "When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil."
  - Max Lerner

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