Help ID and Value 1922 Colt .38 and H&R ?? caliber

[EJSG19]

If you have a good idea of what I've got my hands on, please be so kind to let me know. Plus, its fun to look at old revolvers, so hope you enjoy the history (assuming somebody can tell us what that history is).

These are not mine, but I'm helping a friend ID them. They both have family history. The Colt being from WWI or WWII he wasn't sure, and the H&R having some more colorful history in the 1930's or so.

The Colt says "Colt Army Special 38" with a S/N of 4478XX and it looks to be (obviously) a 6-shot .38 special.

The H&R is more of a mystery. The top of the barrel reads: "Harrington and Richardson Arms Company, Worcester, Mass. U.S.A. Pat Oct. 4th 1887"
Caliber unknown, I'd guess a .32. Its a 5-shot, and as you can tell is a top-break design. I haven't the calipers on it to see for sure, but thats what it looks like. Friend thought maybe a .25 caliber, and my eyes aren't that well educated. But thats all I know about it so far. SN looks like 34XX

Both are DA/SA actions. An idea of each of their values would be very nice. Both could use some finish work, but neither are beyond repair. Both actions work, the Colt locks up tight, the cylinder gap to the barrel is very tight. The Colt does bind on the same chamber every time, but if I assist the cylinder rotation it goes along all right. I expect it could use a detailed cleaning. But I hesitate to detail strip something with history like this.

I've got a good book from the library, but you guys are faster more often than not. Plus I thought I'd share these, just to see what anyone might know, or get out of them for enjoyment value...

ETA: I have found from the S/N that the Colt was apparently built in 1922. This will likely never be sold, as there is some family history involved, and I fully support that. Its more of an educational thing just to enrich his knowledge of them and what they're worth. I'd hate to see them disposed of or sold too cheap, when they are in my opinion definitely worth keeping.

Pics below:

 

[Jim Watson]

The Colt Army Special is the much refined descendant of the New Army that got such a bad reputation in the Philippines. Since the army was not using .38 revolvers any more, they finally got around to changing the name to Official Police in 1926. Proofhouse.com says this one was made in 1920 but that does not make it more certain than your source for 1922.

The H&R looks like their Automatic Ejecting Revolver. There is no open source of serial number vs date made on those, although there is a dedicated researcher who has done a book on them. The H&R cost $15.50 in 1939 when the Colt was $33.00 so you can see their relative place in the market.

I won't guess a value, since I am not prepared to make a cash offer, which is the only appraisal I trust.

 

[EJSG19]

Thank you for your comments Jim. I had seen an old newspaper ad that had the H&R's going for $12 and the Colts going for $14-19 however it was a slighty different model of Colt. These evidently were, as you said, refined over the earlier models.

Very interesting. Hoping someone has more to say on the subject!

 

[Coyote3855]

The cat looks to be about a 2002 model. Value depends on housetraining and scratching habits.

 

[EJSG19]

At the risk of a slight thread drift. She's only about 3 or 4. Late model you know, low miles.

That darn cat is a Bigbore personality in a rimfire package. Always curious, and often the center of attention. It was all I could do to keep the frame clear for 5 seconds to snap a photo.

Can't hate a cat thats interested in firearms though. She is far from an Anti!