BLU
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H&R .32 Revolver or not?!
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are you sure it wasnt designed for the 32 smith and wesson and not the 32 smith and wesson long. the long may fit but the breaktop may not be designed to take the extra pressure. i have an h&r breaktop made in the earl 1920's that is a 32 smith and wesson. most of those breaktops from that era were.
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Zaydok Allen
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That's in pretty nice shape. I see H&R's in that shape go for $250 to $350 regularly on gunbroker. Some collectors will go higher. Ones with the original box go for more. I bet OldFuff will be along soon. I'm just an amature collector who monitors gunbroker.com. He knows his business on the old guns. Driftwood Johnson is a good source of info too. He knows this stuff pretty well too. Check this one out.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=411154640
Did your father pass away man?
Oh by the way, I also think that is a 32 S&W, not a long. I'm no expert though.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=411154640
Did your father pass away man?
Oh by the way, I also think that is a 32 S&W, not a long. I'm no expert though.
dickydalton
Member
32 s&w
While guns by the "second tier" makers Iver Johnson and H&R are becoming more collectible, I doubt that gun would bring over $250, even with the box. I believe that gun was made for black powder and might not be safe with modern ammo even though the ammo companies keep that caliber at a very low pressure so as not to damage those old guns. Modern ammo will not likely actually "blow up" the gun, but continued use will loosen it.
Nevertheless, guns of that era are interesting. They were so cheap and so common that few were cared for and ones in really good condition are uncommon.
Jim
Nevertheless, guns of that era are interesting. They were so cheap and so common that few were cared for and ones in really good condition are uncommon.
Jim
OP
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BLU
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Heyjoe: I'm only sure I have a H&R Revolver! Dad's in a Nursing Home and I doubt he'll ever come home. I'm helping Ma with his collection so she'll have a reasonable amount for each piece. I posted the S&W Hammerless already. The third "oldie" is a Colt Police Positive so I have much more to go on with that gun.
460Kodiak: Went to that site. Yup... looks just like the one Dad has but no box to his. It is in pretty good shape. I'm tempted to shoot it myself. Dad just liked to buy older pieces. May have shot a few rounds through the old ones but I doubt ever more than a cylinder's worth. Since I'm not home, I don't have access to my bench to "mic" the barrel or anything. Just going by what boxes of ammo he had alongside the firearms.
460Kodiak: Went to that site. Yup... looks just like the one Dad has but no box to his. It is in pretty good shape. I'm tempted to shoot it myself. Dad just liked to buy older pieces. May have shot a few rounds through the old ones but I doubt ever more than a cylinder's worth. Since I'm not home, I don't have access to my bench to "mic" the barrel or anything. Just going by what boxes of ammo he had alongside the firearms.
Onward Allusion
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Looks to be an early H&R Top Break Auto Ejector. It is made for lower pressure blackpowder cartridges. H&R's had caliber designation on its left barrel on smokeless power models. Inadvisable to shoot smokeless (modern) 32 S&W through it. It is NOT 32 S&W Long. Do not even try to shoot 32 S&W Long out of it.
It's in pretty good condition from a finish perspective. If it is 100% functional, it's worth a couple hundred.
It's in pretty good condition from a finish perspective. If it is 100% functional, it's worth a couple hundred.
Jim's estimate is pretty close, although a serious collector might go to $300 if it came in the original box (which is far more rare then the revolver). I haven't had time to check it out, but I'm sure it's an older black powder gun so don't shoot it.
During the late 1890's H&R made two top-break sized frames, that they called small and large. Excluding rimfire versions the large was usually chambered in .32 S&W Long (6 shot) and .38 S&W (5 shot). The smaller frame was either a 32 S&W (5 shot) or .22 long (7 shot). I believe the pictured revolver is a large frame chambered in .32 S&W Long.
More later.
During the late 1890's H&R made two top-break sized frames, that they called small and large. Excluding rimfire versions the large was usually chambered in .32 S&W Long (6 shot) and .38 S&W (5 shot). The smaller frame was either a 32 S&W (5 shot) or .22 long (7 shot). I believe the pictured revolver is a large frame chambered in .32 S&W Long.
More later.
Onward Allusion
Member
If it just shy of 1", it's 32 S&W. Old Fuff might be correct, tho. It does look like 32 S&W Long. To be safe, measure the length of the inside of the cylinder.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
It looks to be an H&R " The American Double action ", 850, 000 made between 1883 and 1940, however it was not until 1905 that H&R went to a stronger ' smokeless ' frame. To differentiate the difference frames, H&R roll marked the caliber on the barrel. So, if it has the caliber markings, it is smokeless, if no caliber markings then black powder. This gun was also chambered in .44 center fire, so I think it will hold up to a .32 S&W Long Cartridge ( The proper black or smokeless of course ). Now I can not nor will give anyone advise on firing a old gun I can not hold in my hand and examine for myself. Now having stated that, I have fired a lot of smokeless 32 S&W shorts in my old guns. The ..32 short is a low pressure round { kept that way because of the many old guns still working }, in fact the pressure level is the same as the black powder round. The difference is the pressure curve between the two, a few rounds of .32 short, if you can find it ; will not blow up the gun, but if fed a constance diet of smokeless, the frame will stretch, the hinge will loosen and the cylinder will get out of time. Just my HO.
The American Double Action is a solid frame gun. That is the Automatic Ejecting model; there were several issues and it was made until about 1941. The Third Model (1905-1941), was the first one made in .32 S&W Long and for smokeless powder; the guns made for smokeless powder had the caliber marked on the left side of the barrel.
Jim
Jim
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BLU
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Thanks guys. It is a 6 shot and the cylinder length "mics" to 1.213. NO caliber roll stamp so I guess it's black powder only. So... am I correct that I can load and shoot .32S&W Long black powder in it? I've been a 'smoke-pole' shooter for years but have never loaded black powder cartridges. Would I use the FFFg powder for these handguns too? How about differences between a black powder primer and a smokeless powder primer? Being as black powder IS an explosive, I'm sure there's a power curve different than the smokeless propellent. You know by now I plan to pull the bullets and reload the cartridges!! 
The gun is in pretty good condition. Would like to shoot it at least once. Going to gently polish it too.
The gun is in pretty good condition. Would like to shoot it at least once. Going to gently polish it too.
evan price
Member
The old black powder top break 32s&w iver johnsons and h&r's I load a soft lead 93gr slug over a minimum charge of 800x powder. Soft recoil and low pressure. Of course I dont bang out more than a half box at the range so theres not a lot of use compared to other guns. They are designed for smaller hands and stiff triggers.
I have a H&R American Double action, inherited from my Dad who got it from his Dad who got it from his Dad...been in the family a long time. I was told it was a .32 so I shot .32 S&W Shorts (80 gr) in it for years as a young boy out plinking in the fields. Only later did I stop and wonder why the cartridges fit so loose in the chamber and that the bullet didn't fit tightly when I poked it into the muzzle. It has a 6 shot cylinder and 2 inch octagon barrel. Under the grips it is stamped 3396 and that same number is scratched into the underside of the grips. Most of the nickel plating is now rusted and the barrel looks to have rifling but is so worn and rusty I am not sure. Any thoughts on what caliber I have? There is no caliber marking on the gun.
Harrington & Richardson's American was by their standards a large frame, double-action revolver that had a 6-shot cylinder usually chambered in .32 S&W Long, but would accept shorter .32S&W cartridges.
A smaller variant had a 5-shot cylinder, chambered in .32 S&W.
Most were made during the late 1800's or early 1900's, and were popular because of a low selling price. For example, in 1909 Sears-Roebuck sold them as a mail order product for just under $2.00. They weren't especially good shooters when new, and are less so after a century or more of use.
Never the less the one you have is important to your family's history. I suggest that you now retire it and save what's left for future generations to enjoy.
A smaller variant had a 5-shot cylinder, chambered in .32 S&W.
Most were made during the late 1800's or early 1900's, and were popular because of a low selling price. For example, in 1909 Sears-Roebuck sold them as a mail order product for just under $2.00. They weren't especially good shooters when new, and are less so after a century or more of use.
Never the less the one you have is important to your family's history. I suggest that you now retire it and save what's left for future generations to enjoy.
Kernel
Member
domo, could it be a .38 S&W? (Not Special). Those old H&R's were only made in a couple of chamberings. 99% of the centerfires I've seen are either a .32 or .38.
Ron James.......I have a H&R .32 S&W black powder cartridge revolver with the caliber designation stamped on the left side of the barrel sitting in my lap right now. I know it is BP cartridge because the last patent date is a 1895 date so you cant just go by the stamping of the left side of the barrel which in my case says PREMIER 32 S&W CTGE
Hmmm...a .38 S&W. Could be...will have to investigate further now that I have a little more information. Guess I could have lost a hand or finger back when I was 10 or 12 and shooting this thing. I think Old Fuff was right...leave this thing retired and pass it along to my son...with the caveat that they don't try to shoot it. Thanks everyone for the info.
Thanks everyone for the info.Patent dates have nothing to do with caliber or frame strength. H&R went to a smokeless frame in 1905, well with in the patent time frame. Patents filed on or before 1895 are good for 17 years and sometimes a extension can be granted
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