revolver ID please

[boondocker]

Hello
My wifes uncle has an old (thinks) nickel top break revolver unfired that he got from his brother in-law. It is stamped FA (possible Forehand Arms) With markings of(*) a Star in the middle. 23on the frame,37 on the cyl. and 37 on the lower butt. He would like to ID this revolver and approx value . Thank you Boon

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Looks like a turn of the century Forehand Arms Co. revolver. Retail price would probably go from $100-200, depending on condition. Looks to be in decent condition...

 

[Jim K]

I could be wrong, but I thought Forehand Arms continued to use the Forehand and Wadsworth marking, in full. I have not seen any F&W revolvers without the full name and address.

The gun really doesn't look like the Forehand revolvers, and I suspect a Spanish origin.

Are there any other markings, or any marking on the grips?

Jim

 

[nytrumpet]

Here's one I just found in my mother's attic. I know it's a Harrington & RIchardson, but I have no idea what caliber or year it was made. If anyone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated. And would it be worth restoring?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Hard to say when it was made, but I'm betting it'll be a .32. It was pretty rare for those old H&R revolvers to come in any bigger caliber. From the looks of it, I'm not sure I'd worry about the ammo anyway.

Many of those old guns didn't have serial numbers, which makes it pretty hard to date them.

 

[Jim K]

The best guess on a date is around 1900. There is supposed to be a book underway on H&R with production dates, but I have not seen it.

As to value, it is pretty low, around $50 if it is functional. The caliber is either .32 S&W or .38 S&W, probably the former. (Those are the names of the cartridges, which were developed by Smith & Wesson but used in guns by many other makers.) There were hundreds of thousands of that type of gun made in a day when just about everyone, man or woman, carried a gun. There was little crime, but now that many places have laws against carrying guns, there is plenty of crime. The holster appears to be home made, but I can't be sure.

Ammunition is available but now pretty costly.

I think the above answers the question on restoral; it simply would not be worth it. I suggest you keep the gun as a family heirloom and memento, not as a using firearm.

Jim