Harrington and Richardson Top Break, Nickel 32 Cal

[Bill99]

My good friend a 95 year old vet showed me his family gun, which belonged to his father. He is going to keep it in the family and pass it down to his grandson. Besides the wear on the nickel it is in very good condition. seems to cycle properly and lock up tight. Can anyone give me the date of manufacture and the approximate value of the gun? The seriel number is G68828

[PhillipM]

I have one just like it but with no serial number. The latest patent date on it is 1889. Where is the number?

Edit: found it under the top strap. I have b28727

found this http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=76520

this is a second model 2nd variation (1890-1892). serial number A 5697 was manufactured in 1891. the 32 caliber marking on the boxes for this model read; 32 H&R Long or 32 S&W. the 32 S&W Long had not been introduced yet and the 32 H&R Long is discontinued (about 1905). do not fire this revolver with any modern 32 ammo.

AUTOMATIC EJECTING SECOND MODEL (NEW FRAME TARGET LOGO GRIPS)
(BLACK POWDER) ---------------------------------1890-1904
New frame shape and new hard rubber grip panels with Target Logo, Auto-ejecting mechanism, Calibers 32 S&W, 6 shot cylinder capacity, 38 S&W caliber 5 shot cylinder capacity, nickel finish (blue optional), barrel lengths of 2½ (rare), 3¼ (standard), 4, 5 & 6 inches available, “IF THERE IS NO CALIBER MARKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL THEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED FOR BLACK POWDER”
Top of barrel markings include company name and address and patent dates.
First Variation; one patent date OCT-4-87 only-----1890-1892
Second Variation one patent date marked OCT-4-1887 (year marked in full)-------1890-1892*
Third Variation three patent dates, Oct-4-1887, May 14 & Aug-6-89--------1893-Only*
Fourth Variation three patent dates Oct-4-87, May-14 & Aug-6-89 (note 87 date des not have full year markings)------1894-1896*
Fifth Variation five patent dates Oct-4-87, May 14 & Aug-6-89, April-2-95, April-7-96---1897-1904*
*Serial numbers found on the bottom side of the top strap will have letter codes with them.
VALUE 100%=$225 60%=$85 For all Auto-Ejecting 2nd Models; add 75% premium for 2½” barrel; add 25% for 4”, 5” & 6” barrels; add 15% for blue finish; add 10% for 1st , 2nd, 3rd & 4th variations with nickel trigger guard on nickel finish pieces

[Tuna]

The Sears catalog about 1900 listed them for sale at $1.17.

[dave]

I have seen a couple displys of these cheap revolvers, many makes, finish'es, condition. They make a very nice collection actually! Not expensive but like all guns, prices are increasing as peopls look for collectables they can afford. (I have a large collection of Mossberg .22 rifles, to illustrate) Except for a few which are excellent to as new average price is 2-300 dollars or less.