H&r double actions

Phil from Kansas · Jul 3, 2020

I have a harrington & richardson "the american double action". I see that there's also a similar gun stamped "the young america double action". My price guide shows them having the same values and made during roughly the same time frame. Please explain the difference. Thanks!

Dr.Rob · Jul 4, 2020

I'll need to grab my books to explain it. Will take a couple days.

Dr.Rob · Jul 15, 2020

The American was debuted in 1883 in 32 SW Long, 32 SW and 32 Colt New Police (6 shots) and in 38 S&W (5 shot); the Young America was introduced in 1885 and was also available as a 7 shot 22 cal and in 32 SHORT (5 shot). So, it would seem the cylinder is larger and the frame longer on the American.

Both stopped production in WW2.

Both were offered in a variety of barrel lengths and in blue or nickel.

Sorry it took a while to get you that info.

Phil from Kansas · Jul 16, 2020

Thanks for your help! Was "young america" a pitch to get younger people interested (since the smaller frame might be easier for youth to handle) or was it a nostalgia pitch to evoke images of pioneers carrying weapons into the new frontier?

Dr.Rob · Jul 16, 2020

I suspect a marketing ploy to distinguish the smaller framed pistol. Though I have not seen any advertising from the time.

Phil from Kansas · Jul 18, 2020

I googled "harrington and richardson young America advertising" and saw multiple ads showing boys that looked 10 years old joyfully firing their guns into the air.

Dr.Rob · Jul 22, 2020

Yeah the SAFE way to celebrate the 4th, fire guns in the air! How times have changed.

Dr.Rob · Jul 22, 2020

OK they DO say use blanks

Col. Harrumph · Jul 23, 2020

Dr.Rob said:
OK they DO say use blanks

And with today's crop of kids that would prolly be sufficient. I my day we'd have been experimenting with exhuberance. And losing the occasional eye.

RevolvingGarbage · Aug 5, 2020

I like my Young America. A lot of people who yearn for a smaller framed double action revolver than what’s currently made should shell out the whopping $100 they usually go for and try it out.

Here’s mine in .32 S&W firing off some ancient Remington ammo loaded with black powder and in old style balloon head cases.

(2 out of 4 shots had weak report and clearly were going less than half the velocity they should but they did make it through the paper target at least.)

NIGHTLORD40K · Aug 23, 2020

My Dad has a pretty well preserved Young America Vest Pocket Model- basically the same gun with a 1" barrel and no sights. He does still occasionally carry it in his vest pocket!

H&r double actions

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