TruthTellers: The production of H&R top breaks continued well into the twentieth century and many are safe to shoot with smokeless loads, either factory or handloads. It is generally believed that an H&R that is safe with smokeless powder will have the caliber designation marked on the left side of the barrel,for instance, "AUTO EJECTING 32 S&W CTGE." I have an Auto Ejecting Third Model so marked and it is chambered for the 32 S&W Long. Third models were made from 1905 - 1940 and all were made for smokeless powder. If you find a top break that does not have the caliber designation on the left side of the barrel it is earlier and is for black powder only.
There is a smaller frame version called the "Premier" that fires the shorter 32 S&W round. The H&R Premier Second Model was made 1905 - 1941, is marked 32 S&W CTGE on the left side of the barrel, and is safe with smokeless rounds. Again, there is an earlier model of this arm (First Model) that does not have the caliber marking and is safe only with black powder.
There is a smaller frame version called the "Premier" that fires the shorter 32 S&W round. The H&R Premier Second Model was made 1905 - 1941, is marked 32 S&W CTGE on the left side of the barrel, and is safe with smokeless rounds. Again, there is an earlier model of this arm (First Model) that does not have the caliber marking and is safe only with black powder.
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