New to Me Harrington and Richardson Top-break Revolver

[Tallball]

Here's what I know:

It has a 6-shot cylinder.

The barrel is 3.25" long.

The serial number is on the butt and has a G prefix.

The left side of the barrel says "Auto Ejecting 32 S&W CTGE".

The top strap has two lines of info:
"Harrington & Richardson Arms Company Worcester Mass USA
Pat May 14 & Aug 6 '89 Apr 2 '95 Apr 7 '96"

The cylinder is long enough to chamber 32 S&W long.

I am pretty sure that it was made in 1905 and was designed for smokeless powder. My understanding is that if it was designed for smokeless powder (evidenced by cartridge listing on the barrel and serial number), and the 32 S&W long cartridge will fit in the cylinder, it is okay to fire modestly loaded 32 S&W long ammo through it (I don't have any of the short kind).

It's in pretty good shape. Everything works on it. The finish is faded or whatever on the right side of the barrel, but is pretty good on the rest of the handgun.

If you know anything about these old revolvers, any information or advice would be appreciated. I just thought it would be fun to own a top-break revolver. This one is in pretty good shape and only cost me $79.

Harrington and Richardson top-break 32 caliber revolver

• Tallball
• Dec 8, 2018

 

[Steel Hayes]

Like this one?
If it has CTGE on the barrel, it’s a 3rd variation (1910-1916). Safe for smokeless powder, .32 long.

Great price for yours, although even for mine(1892), I paid just over $100 for it.

 

[milemaker13]

Ida plunked down 80 bucks for that one!

 

[chicharrones]

The serial number is on the butt and has a G prefix.

Per the serial number at this webpage, G is 1946.

https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?242383-Harrington-amp-Richardson-date-codes

 

[Tallball]

Thanks Chicharrones. I also saw that list, but then I read a post that claimed that the G serial number in 1946 was for shotguns.

I thought I read that the "G" prefix on these 32 revolvers meant 1904 or 1905, and that if it said "Auto Ejecting 32 S&W CTGE" it was from 1905 and okay for smokeless.

I've read a lot of stuff, some of it conflicting.

 

[Steel Hayes]

The G prefix was meant ‘safe for smokeless’ , found it in Mr. Goforth’s book.
Actual letter prefix on H&R revolver serial numbers started in 1934.

 

[Waveski]

Every gun aficionado should own at least one top break. .32 long is a fun caliber. Have fun , and a range report would be nice.

 

[chicharrones]

Thanks Chicharrones. I also saw that list, but then I read a post that claimed that the G serial number in 1946 was for shotguns.

I thought I read that the "G" prefix on these 32 revolvers meant 1904 or 1905, and that if it said "Auto Ejecting 32 S&W CTGE" it was from 1905 and okay for smokeless.

I've read a lot of stuff, some of it conflicting.

I'm no H&R expert that's for sure. I do have a 999 Sportsman revolver with a prefix of AX and it matches with that list and others. So, I figured the date code might be for any H&R gun.

The H&R handgun guru around THR was member 32 Magnum (Jim Hauff). Look through some of his posts here. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/32-magnum.54846/

Also, here. http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=8333

Apparently though, I missed the mark on the age range on your revolver and it predates the dates codes. Ooopsie.

 

[beag_nut]

My buddy has one like yours (the OP). It was designed for blackpowder, in case anyone decides to shoot it.

 

[WestKentucky]

Very nice. I would jump all over one at that price, good thing you found it before I did. 32 long is a great cartridge to load low power loads. Wadcutters are a lot of fun. Topbreaks are neat, and fun. There's no better topbreak revolver round than 32. 38sw is close, but 32 is king.

 

[bannockburn]

Tallball

Nice find! At that price I would have been all over that too!

 

[doubleh]

I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Old top break revolvers are like hen's teeth around here though.

 

[Tallball]

I wanted a top-break, but I didn't want to pay a fortune for an heirloom S&W, I didn't want one that used 32 or 38 "short" ammo (my FiL reloads the 32 longs for me), and the 22's tend to be more expensive and worn-out looking. I did some research, and it seemed like the proper H&R would check all of my boxes. I've been stalking them for a few months. It took me a while to find one in decent shape, with an exposed hammer, and with markings that indicated I should be able to shoot 32 S&W long with it.

It's not hard to find a decent one on GB for $100, not hard at all in fact, but I had something very specific in mind, so it took a little while. Hopefully I can shoot it next weekend.

 

[FROGO207]

I own several of the type. Some 32 short, some long, some black powder only. They are a lot of fun to shoot IMHO. They really shine when you can reload for them. Most of my black powder only ones are a bit rough in the bore and as such are not all that accurate. The newer smokeless ones, at least the ones I own are accuracy wise as good as a .22 revolver of the same vintage. I am willing to bet you will have a ball shooting that puppy and not want to ever let it go.