Ok Guys, need help on this "old" handgun

[Thomas Garrett]

It states on the top rail above the barrel- Harrington & Richardson Arms Company, Worchester, Mass. USA, Pat# May 14 & Aug 6, 89, April 2, 95, April 7, 96. on the bottom of the frame- Serial #- 1500XX, it is in 3 1/8" barrel, .38 S&W (short), Have a box of Western cartridges with it, .38 Short Colt, 130 gr. Lubaloy. Does it have any value. Everything is there, timing looks good, extractor works, barrel inside is clean. well oiled, exterior finish is faded but no pits. pictures attached, was given to me from an old friend, Thanks !

 

[Jim Watson]

What is it? It is a Harrington & Richardson .38 revolver. It looks like the Automatic Ejecting Model but they made numerous models over about a 60 year period and if it is not marked as to model name, it will take better pictures and examination by somebody who knows and cares about the differences. In 1939 the type cost $14.75 when the last of the S&W topbreaks was going for $31.00. Might be worth $50-$100 now.

Some sources will say they should not be shot. But many of these old topbreaks are used in pocket pistol side matches by Cowboy shooters. Thing is, they don't use them much; a cylinder full every once in a while is about it.

The caliber is .38 S&W (not "short" there is no "long".) The .38 Short Colt ammunition you have is not the same thing and is not correct for the gun. I don't think it will blow it up. Maybe.

 

[Thomas Garrett]

It was just given to me, My friend is 83 years old. The ammunition he gave he said he shot it regularly about 50 years ago, Old and not a full box. I don't know anything about it except what he told me. I was just wondering by the serial # a date of Manufacture., On the left side of the barrel it does say ejector model. And no i'm not going to shoot it. Is it trash? Or Is there any collector value to it?

 

[rcmodel]

Nobody is beating the door down to buy these.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/91484456...ardson-Pistols/U_S_REVOLVER_38_HAMMERLESS.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/96270982...ington-Richardson-Pistols/H_R_AMERICAN_38.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/93002485...ichardson-Pistols/H_R_LONG_BARREL_BLUE_38.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/97007698...ARRINGTON_RICHARDSON_38_HAMMERLESS_NICKLE.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/94636985...n-Richardson-Pistols/H_R_38_S_W_Break_Top.htm

Rather then consider it either trash, or valuable.
Why not consider it a very thoughful gift & reminder of your old friend in years to come, and leave it at that.

rc