Hi, Guys:

Question on antique firearm a friend has ended up with..

Firearm is a Harrington and Richardson 0.38 calibre 5-shot revolver
believe it was made between 1886 and 1897 (?)

An "American Double-Action" believed to be series 1 rev 2.. based
on co. name not stamped on barrel

Does it accept 0.38 long Colt or short Colt? Or something else?

On 11/20/2014 2:54 PM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:
Hi, Guys:

Question on antique firearm a friend has ended up with..

Firearm is a Harrington and Richardson 0.38 calibre 5-shot revolver
believe it was made between 1886 and 1897 (?)

An "American Double-Action" believed to be series 1 rev 2.. based
on co. name not stamped on barrel
Does it accept 0.38 long Colt or short Colt? Or something else?




The H&R Model 1904 was chambered for both the 32 S&W and the 38 S&W so
if you're positive about the model then I'd also guess that yours is
chambered for the 38 S&W / 38 Colt New Police cartridges. The only
discrepency I see is that those cartridges had a nominal outside
diameter of .3865 but you indicated that the chamber measures only .382".

The old H&R revolvers were never chambered for the Long Colt or the 38
Special, AFAIK.

I would note that last time I contacted Harrington & Richardson (maybe 3-4
years ago) atleast some of the old H&R guys were still there and they were
glad to answer questions.

Dropping H&R an email question on the H&R website can't hurt. You might get
lucky and find some of those old guys are still there and still willing to
answer a question or two.




--

"Richard" wrote in message
...
On 11/20/2014 2:54 PM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:
Hi, Guys:

Question on antique firearm a friend has ended up with..

Firearm is a Harrington and Richardson 0.38 calibre 5-shot revolver
believe it was made between 1886 and 1897 (?)

An "American Double-Action" believed to be series 1 rev 2.. based
on co. name not stamped on barrel
Does it accept 0.38 long Colt or short Colt? Or something else?




The H&R Model 1904 was chambered for both the 32 S&W and the 38 S&W so if
you're positive about the model then I'd also guess that yours is
chambered for the 38 S&W / 38 Colt New Police cartridges. The only
discrepency I see is that those cartridges had a nominal outside diameter
of .3865 but you indicated that the chamber measures only .382".

The old H&R revolvers were never chambered for the Long Colt or the 38
Special, AFAIK.

On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:25:21 -0700, the renowned "Bob La Londe"
wrote:

I would note that last time I contacted Harrington & Richardson (maybe 3-4
years ago) atleast some of the old H&R guys were still there and they were
glad to answer questions.

Dropping H&R an email question on the H&R website can't hurt. You might get
lucky and find some of those old guys are still there and still willing to
answer a question or two.

Thanks, I'll pass that and Richards concise comments along.

It seems to be a fairly primitive thing from what he told me.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:25:21 -0700, the renowned "Bob La Londe"
wrote:

I would note that last time I contacted Harrington & Richardson (maybe 3-4
years ago) atleast some of the old H&R guys were still there and they were
glad to answer questions.

Dropping H&R an email question on the H&R website can't hurt. You might
get
lucky and find some of those old guys are still there and still willing to
answer a question or two.

Thanks, I'll pass that and Richards concise comments along.

It seems to be a fairly primitive thing from what he told me.

FYI: Remington bought out H&R some years back. Hence why I said contact
H&R via the H&R site contact info.

I've handled one or two old H&R pistols. My favorite is probably the early
1920s era 922 double actions with the 9 round cylinder. Every time you pull
the trigger they go bang. Pretty hard to beat simple and well designed.



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers:
http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers:
http://www.speff.com

On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:53:16 -0600, Richard
wrote:

On 11/20/2014 2:54 PM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:
Hi, Guys:

Question on antique firearm a friend has ended up with..

Firearm is a Harrington and Richardson 0.38 calibre 5-shot revolver
believe it was made between 1886 and 1897 (?)

An "American Double-Action" believed to be series 1 rev 2.. based
on co. name not stamped on barrel
Does it accept 0.38 long Colt or short Colt? Or something else?




The H&R Model 1904 was chambered for both the 32 S&W and the 38 S&W so
if you're positive about the model then I'd also guess that yours is
chambered for the 38 S&W / 38 Colt New Police cartridges. The only
discrepency I see is that those cartridges had a nominal outside
diameter of .3865 but you indicated that the chamber measures only .382".

The old H&R revolvers were never chambered for the Long Colt or the 38
Special, AFAIK.

You are correct. Some could be purchased special in 38 Short Colt
(target cartridge) ..but the off the shelf revolvers were as you say,
more than likely in 38 S&W.

This may be of assistance

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thre...evolver.85125/

btw..that was intended for a black powder loading ..so I would not be
shooting a ****load of any warmish 38 S&W modern loads. If you hand
load...take it down to the lower end of the loading tables.

You didnt indicate if it were a top break or a solid frame
revolver....

It should also be noted that a 38 rimfire version was available
through 1904ish..so check your firing pin alignment

http://bluebookofgunvalues.com/Gun_Values/Gun_Manufacturer_Models.aspx?id=HARRINGTON_RICHARD SON_INC_Solid_Frame_Revolvers_1880_1952

http://bluebookofgunvalues.com/Gun_Values/Manufacturers/HARRINGTON_AND_RICHARDSON_INC/Categories/Top_Break_Revolvers__1885-1952?id=HARRINGTON_RICHARDSON_INC_Top_Break_Revolv ers_1885_1952

Gunner



"At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child,
miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied,
demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless.
Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats."
PJ O'Rourke

On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 19:23:08 -0500, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:25:21 -0700, the renowned "Bob La Londe"
wrote:

I would note that last time I contacted Harrington & Richardson (maybe 3-4
years ago) atleast some of the old H&R guys were still there and they were
glad to answer questions.

Dropping H&R an email question on the H&R website can't hurt. You might get
lucky and find some of those old guys are still there and still willing to
answer a question or two.

Thanks, I'll pass that and Richards concise comments along.

It seems to be a fairly primitive thing from what he told me.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

H&Rs were well enough made..but were on the Cheap end of the
spectrum. They tend to have timing problems and broken "bolt "
(cylinder) stops. Which can be had..though they will take some hand
fitting, from minor to major.

One finds a bunch of them nickel plated..and the nickel is flaking off
or long gone.

Gunner

"At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child,
miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied,
demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless.
Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats."
PJ O'Rourke

On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:28:29 -0700, "Bob La Londe"
wrote:


Spehro Pefhany" wrote in message
. ..
On Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:25:21 -0700, the renowned "Bob La Londe"
wrote:

I would note that last time I contacted Harrington & Richardson (maybe 3-4
years ago) atleast some of the old H&R guys were still there and they were
glad to answer questions.

Dropping H&R an email question on the H&R website can't hurt. You might
get
lucky and find some of those old guys are still there and still willing to
answer a question or two.

Thanks, I'll pass that and Richards concise comments along.

It seems to be a fairly primitive thing from what he told me.

FYI: Remington bought out H&R some years back. Hence why I said contact
H&R via the H&R site contact info.

I've handled one or two old H&R pistols. My favorite is probably the early
1920s era 922 double actions with the 9 round cylinder. Every time you pull
the trigger they go bang. Pretty hard to beat simple and well designed.

The later 999s were pretty damned good as well, though trigger pulls
sucked badly and not a lot could be done with them..though about a 50%
reduction could be done....most of the time.

Gunner




Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
Info for manufacturers:
http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers:
http://www.speff.com

"At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child,
miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied,
demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless.
Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats."
PJ O'Rourke