revolver ID please

[boondocker]

Hello
My wifes uncle has an old (thinks) nickel top break revolver unfired that he got from his brother in-law. It is stamped FA (possible Forehand Arms) With markings of(*) a Star in the middle. 23on the frame,37 on the cyl. and 37 on the lower butt. He would like to ID this revolver and approx value . Thank you Boon

[gunrunnerjohn]

Looks like a turn of the century Forehand Arms Co. revolver. Retail price would probably go from $100-200, depending on condition. Looks to be in decent condition...

[Jim Keenan]

I could be wrong, but I thought Forehand Arms continued to use the Forehand and Wadsworth marking, in full. I have not seen any F&W revolvers without the full name and address.

The gun really doesn't look like the Forehand revolvers, and I suspect a Spanish origin.

Are there any other markings, or any marking on the grips?

Jim

[nytrumpet]

Here's one I just found in my mother's attic. I know it's a Harrington & RIchardson, but I have no idea what caliber or year it was made. If anyone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated. And would it be worth restoring?

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hr1.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hr2.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hr3.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hr4.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hr5.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hrframe.jpg

http://www.gungeek.net/images/hr/hrserial.jpg

[gunrunnerjohn]

Hard to say when it was made, but I'm betting it'll be a .32. It was pretty rare for those old H&R revolvers to come in any bigger caliber. From the looks of it, I'm not sure I'd worry about the ammo anyway. :D

Many of those old guns didn't have serial numbers, which makes it pretty hard to date them.

[Jim Keenan]

The best guess on a date is around 1900. There is supposed to be a book underway on H&R with production dates, but I have not seen it.

As to value, it is pretty low, around $50 if it is functional. The caliber is either .32 S&W or .38 S&W, probably the former. (Those are the names of the cartridges, which were developed by Smith & Wesson but used in guns by many other makers.) There were hundreds of thousands of that type of gun made in a day when just about everyone, man or woman, carried a gun. There was little crime, but now that many places have laws against carrying guns, there is plenty of crime. The holster appears to be home made, but I can't be sure.

Ammunition is available but now pretty costly.

I think the above answers the question on restoral; it simply would not be worth it. I suggest you keep the gun as a family heirloom and memento, not as a using firearm.

Jim