You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Can you tell me the age of this H&R revolver ...
- Thread starter Doc Hoy
- Start date
bedbugbilly
New member
Doc - can't tell you the year yours was made, but a quick Google shows they were produced from 1905 to 1942.
I have one that was my grandfather's but it is in pretty rough shape (he was born in 1867). I haven't got it handy so don't know the serial # of it, but Think the one I have is probably a fairly early one. The plating is about gone - has a octagon barrel - 8 sides. I always considered them a cheap "Saturday Night Special". I've seen quit a few of them over the years and most were in pretty rough shape.
Jim
I have one that was my grandfather's but it is in pretty rough shape (he was born in 1867). I haven't got it handy so don't know the serial # of it, but Think the one I have is probably a fairly early one. The plating is about gone - has a octagon barrel - 8 sides. I always considered them a cheap "Saturday Night Special". I've seen quit a few of them over the years and most were in pretty rough shape.
Jim
"Harrington Richardson The American Double Action. Hexagon barrel 2 1/2 inch."
What caliber is it, a 7-shot .22?
Does it have the caliber written on the LEFT side of the barrel? If so, it was likely made for modern smokeless powder, which might mean it was made in the 1900s.
Got any picsl?
What caliber is it, a 7-shot .22?
Does it have the caliber written on the LEFT side of the barrel? If so, it was likely made for modern smokeless powder, which might mean it was made in the 1900s.
Got any picsl?
They changed to the octagon barrel in 1898. 1898-1904 has company name and address on left side of barrel. 1905-1942 has company name, address and caliber marked on the left side of the barrel. If it does not have the caliber marked on the left side of the barrel its black powder only.
ChimpMunk20
New member
A chart of serial numbers and the year they where made will be really nice and help for future use.
A chart of serial numbers and the year they where made will be really nice and help for future use.
There isn't one. H&R serial numbers before 1940 are pretty much useless.
Sorry it has been so long since my last post on this thread.
Here are some answers.
It is .32 S&W.
Caliber is engraved on the left vertical barrel surface. .32 S&W CTGE.
Manuf. Name is on the upper left flat of the barrel
I have seen serial numbers in the three digits and four digits. I also calculate that they made about 10,000 to 16,000 per year if production was relatively consistent with the exception of the war years. Assuming unbroken application of serial numbers, at 10,000 per year This was made in about the 20th year of production or about 1918. Probably earlier since I am not allowing for round barrel versions numbered and then no restart with the octagon barrel. If the average annual production was closer to 16k we are talking about 1912. That also sort of works with a total production run of 850,000 ending in 1942.
So, if we had some bacon, we could have bacon and eggs, if we had some eggs.
My logic has a lot of opportunities for challenge. I am not trying to lock it in to was it made on a Monday or a Friday? Just an approximate year.
Here are some answers.
It is .32 S&W.
Caliber is engraved on the left vertical barrel surface. .32 S&W CTGE.
Manuf. Name is on the upper left flat of the barrel
I have seen serial numbers in the three digits and four digits. I also calculate that they made about 10,000 to 16,000 per year if production was relatively consistent with the exception of the war years. Assuming unbroken application of serial numbers, at 10,000 per year This was made in about the 20th year of production or about 1918. Probably earlier since I am not allowing for round barrel versions numbered and then no restart with the octagon barrel. If the average annual production was closer to 16k we are talking about 1912. That also sort of works with a total production run of 850,000 ending in 1942.
So, if we had some bacon, we could have bacon and eggs, if we had some eggs.
My logic has a lot of opportunities for challenge. I am not trying to lock it in to was it made on a Monday or a Friday? Just an approximate year.
Okay. This is good info.
So in a serial number range that starts with 1 in 1905 and ends with 700,000 in 1942, divided completely equally (which I know is unlikely) each year uses roughly 20,000 positions. My serial number is at 200,000 which is ten years into the production run give or take prolly three years. That makes it sometime between 1912 and 1918.
I know this logic depends on variables the are tough to pin down. I think a six year span in the time frame during which this particular pistol was made is reasonable but possibly too tight.
They turned to war production in WW I possibly at the expense of production of these non-military pistols
Demand for pistols by civilians might have declined because civilians were doing other things.
This means production of these pistols from say, 1916 to 1919 might be less that average.
Production might have increased because of war hysteria among those who were in a position to buy.
As you say, Hawg, Who knows?
If I thought I could confidently place this pistol somewhere between 1912 and
1921 I will have met my goal.
So in a serial number range that starts with 1 in 1905 and ends with 700,000 in 1942, divided completely equally (which I know is unlikely) each year uses roughly 20,000 positions. My serial number is at 200,000 which is ten years into the production run give or take prolly three years. That makes it sometime between 1912 and 1918.
I know this logic depends on variables the are tough to pin down. I think a six year span in the time frame during which this particular pistol was made is reasonable but possibly too tight.
They turned to war production in WW I possibly at the expense of production of these non-military pistols
Demand for pistols by civilians might have declined because civilians were doing other things.
This means production of these pistols from say, 1916 to 1919 might be less that average.
Production might have increased because of war hysteria among those who were in a position to buy.
As you say, Hawg, Who knows?
If I thought I could confidently place this pistol somewhere between 1912 and
1921 I will have met my goal.
Doc: The H&R American was made in two models. The First Model (3 variations, 1884-1904) and the Second Model (No variations, 1905-1941). The first Model was chambered for .32 S&W (6 shots) or .38 S&W (5 shots) and was for black powder only. The Second Model was chambered for .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W and may be used with smokeless powder ammunition. Smokeless models will have the caliber inscribed on the left barrel flat. The First Model had a round barrel. An octagon barrel was introduced on the Second Model about 1905. A 2.5 in bbl was standard, but 4.5 in or 6 in could be obtained. Markings include THE AMERICAN DOUBLE ACTION in two lines on the top strap. H. & R. ARMS COMPANY, WORCESTER, MASS.U.S.A is on the top barrel flat and 32 S & W CTGE is on the left barrel flat. I have noted that 32 S&W CTGE will be marked even on guns that will chamber .32 S&W Long. If a 32 Long chambers and the caliber mark is on the left barrel flat, then it will fire modern 32 Long ammo, which is said to be loaded light enough to safely fire in old guns. Be wary. Don’t shoot it if you don’t have to. Most of t++his information is taken from Bill Goforth’s book, H & R Arms Company, 1871 - 1986. This is a very good book even though it has many omissions. This is not the fault of the late Mr. Goforth. H&R had so many model designations for handguns, rifle, and shotguns, some of them with low sales numbers, that many of them cannot be found for examination.
Jeff_French
New member
Howdy all,
I have written a small treatise on the 1st. model of the America Double Action if anyone would care to read it. As McShooty said, Bill Goforth did a fine job with the resources he had, but there are omissions in his book. He even states in it that he published the book as a starting point for H&R research and collecting and not a definitive guide to all things H&R. I knew Bill and he was a fine man.
With best regards,
Jeff
I have written a small treatise on the 1st. model of the America Double Action if anyone would care to read it. As McShooty said, Bill Goforth did a fine job with the resources he had, but there are omissions in his book. He even states in it that he published the book as a starting point for H&R research and collecting and not a definitive guide to all things H&R. I knew Bill and he was a fine man.
With best regards,
Jeff
Attachments
Last edited: