H & R id. Help

[justsam]

Break Barrell, here is as it is on barrel top rib

Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worchester Mass.USA
Pat. May 14 & Aug. 8. 89 April 2. 95 April 7. 96

on left side of barrel

Auto Ejecting 32 S & W ??? <-- last couple look like a ( C16 ) but not sure.

it is a 3 1/4" barrel, 6 shot, ser. # 182 xxx

I am looking for some good info as to what model or variation, so I can look for a good ejector rod, as it is a little lazy on the rotation, any help will be greatly appreciated, Sam....

 

[Jim K]

If that ?? word is "LONG", the gun is the Automatic Ejecting, Third Model, chambered for the .32 S&W Long and usable with smokeless powder loads.

The problem is that parts for those guns are nearly impossible to find. The guns have not been made since before WWII and the available parts have long been used up. Extractors especially are difficult to find for the reason that they were not hardened and most wore out as yours has done.

Those guns, while reasonably well made by the standards of the day, were never intended for long term use, and wore out quickly. Frankly, given the low value of those guns, I would consider repairs of any kind to be not economically feasible. Even in good condition, they bring only about $75-100 retail, and many dealers won't even take them in trade because the money to be made on a resale won't cover the cost of the paperwork.

Jim

 

[justsam]

thanks for the info, It's been with the family for a long time, so I will keep searching the gun shows for part's, at least I have something to go by... Thanks again....

 

[Old Fuff]

Try www.gunpartscorp.com

But be aware that most gunsmiths won't touch what you have with a ten-foot pole.... And they're is a reason.

Which is not to say that you shouldn't preserve it in the family - as is.

 

[deadin]

32 S & W ??? <-- last couple look like a ( C16 ) but not sure.

I believe the "???" is more than likely "CTG" rather than "LONG".

Big difference between a .32 S&W and a .32 S&W Long. I'm not even sure a Long will chamber in a standard top-break .32 S&W and even if it does, I sure wouldn't try to fire it....

 

[Old Fuff]

So far as H&R top-break revolvers go, those that were chambered in .32 S&W had 5-shot cylinders.

Those that were chambered in .32 S&W Long were built on a larger frame and had 6-shot cylinders.

So the question is, "Does the revolver in question hold 5 or 6 rounds?"

 

[Jim Watson]

There are old old guns in .32 H&R Long which actually predates the .32 S&W Long and is not related to .32 Long Colt. It is similar but not identical to .32 Merwin & Hulbert.

But if this one is caliber marked at all, it is a smokeless era gun, undoubtedly in .32 S&W or S&W L. Like Fuff says, how many holes?

 

[deadin]

Did a little more research and it appears that, as stated, 6 shot tp breakswere 32 S&W Long, but weren't marked as such, just 32 S&W CTGE. (I figured that C16 could be a misread CTG, but what happened to the "E"?)
I also couldn't find any reference to the dates posted in the OP, but my H&R reference materials leave a lot to be desired......

 

[Old Fuff]

... but my H&R reference materials leave a lot to be desired......

Indeed. That's because only one individual ever did any serious research and then put it in a book, and unfortunately he's passed away.

Most (if not all) of the black powder revolvers had flat mainsprings, where later ones that are supposedly safe to use with smokeless ammunition have coil mainsprings.

During the 1930's and early 40's, prior to World War Two they made some top-quality .22 target revolvers.

 

[justsam]

definitely a six hole cylinder, thanks for all the responce

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I have a couple of observations on the .32S&W & .32S&W long. I have both in new factory loaded ammo and fired brass. The overall length of a loaded .32S&W round is the same as a .3S&W long case and the long case itself will fit in .32 S&W cylinder. I have a bunch of .32 wadcutter bullets that when loaded flush with the neck of a .32S&W long case, the powder space of the .32&W long is the same as a loaded .32&W. Except for the heavier bullet of the wadcutter raising pressure slightly in black powder which I load, I don't think the difference is that great.

 

[Jim K]

Whether the .32 S&W Long case will fit into the chamber of a revolver made for the .32 S&W depends on the make of the gun. In the less expensive guns, the chambers are bored straight through, so a .32 S&W Long case will fit and even the .32 S&W Long cartridge will fit if the cylinder is long enough. But S&W and some other revolvers made for the .32 S&W have shoulders in the chambers and .32 S&W Long won't fit even if the cylinder is long enough.

Jim

 

[dagger dog]

justsam,

Do you reload ?

If yes, get you a bottle of FFFg Goex black powder and a couple hundred 32 caliber boolits, and shoot the old timer. Maximum fun !