H&R Top break 38S&W painted finish

[Longtimer]

I have a top-breal H&R 38S&W revolver coming, off an auction. It has a painted finish, as opposed to bluing or nickel.

I collect Savage 1907s and I know that Savage, just after WWI, tried "painted" pistols for a while until feedback told them it wore off so rapidly.

Who can tell me the scoop on these revolvers with a black painted finish... pre -WWII Lend-Lease, maybe?

LT

 

[Jim K]

I am willing to be corrected, but AFAIK H&R never put out a gun with a painted finish.

The British bought around 27,000 .32 H&R revolvers (called the "Bobby") for their police during WWII; they were not Lend-Lease. Both Britain and Norway bought H&R revolvers in .38 S&W in the early days of WWII; again AFAIK, they were never a Lend-Lease item except when they were included in the equipment of ships. And the British did paint a lot of their small arms, considering it a better and more durable finish than bluing.

British proof marks would definitely show at least that the gun had been in Britain, but not how it got there.

Jim

 

[71Commander]

Wouldn't be the 925 would it?