Wondering what I have

JJT10 · April 5, 2011, 12:00 PM

I have a couple revolvers, and I was wondering what they were, and if they are worth anything to a collector, I copied and pasted the original part of the tread that I posted in the reloading section, and was told to check here for ID help. I added a few photos to help. thanks

I do know they are 32 cal 6 shot revolvers. They look to be chrome plated 2 have black plastic over the grip and 1 has brown. 1 says "Harrington & richardson arms co. Worcester Mass. USA pat'd Oct 4 '87" right on top of the barrel. 1 says same "Harrington & richardson arms co. Worcester Mass. USA pat'd Oct 4 '87. May14 & Aug 6 '89 April 2 '95 April 7 1896" The 3rd one is a deferent manufacturer same place it says "Forehand & Wadsworth Worcester Mass. USA pat'd Dec 7 '86 & Jan 11 '87" when I inherited them they came with 2 different size rounds the 32 S&W L casing measures .9125 Hornady has the S&W longs at .920 max. The shorter casings I have left from it are 32 S&W and the casings measure .596 with nothing listed in the book. The 32 auto's I bought, the casings measure .670 and Hornady lists max at .680. I can shoot either of this ammo from the guns I am just wondering 1 can I buy one set of dies to load them all or do I need to get a set for the long, short, and the auto? And 2 what do I actually have since there isn't much stamped on these guns. Also just noticed and read the short history of the H&R magnum on page 785 of hornady's book 7th edition. Maybe that's what I have? Or check the antique road show lol. Any way thanks for the help.

gyvel · April 5, 2011, 03:50 PM

DO NOT be shooting .32 auto from these guns. Basically they were made for black powder rounds and the .32 auto will generate way too much pressure for these guns to handle. (There is an H&R expert who haunts this forum; Hopefully he will join in and give you a more detailed synopsis of what models you have.)

Also, are you sure these are for the .32 S&W long cartridges and not just the original .32 S&W round? (Hint: If the .32 S&W Long round chambers, then they are suited for that round, which is still relatively available in gun stores.)

I gave these guns the moniker of "Gaslight Era" revolvers as they tended to flourish during that time in our history.

Hawg · April 5, 2011, 04:24 PM

If you were unlucky enough for a .32 ACP to actually fire you would be left with a gun in several pieces and possibly severe damage to some of your body parts. The .32 long came about in 1896 so it's possible they could be chambered for it. If it says .32 S&W ctg. it's not chambered for S&W Long.

jtb1967 · April 5, 2011, 04:26 PM

They're fairly common revolvers. Do all three function well with no timing issues? It seems most I find aren't in working condition anymore. I can guarantee you they aren't chambered in 32 H&R mag or 32 auto!

James K · April 5, 2011, 06:54 PM

The .32 S&W, for which those revolvers were designed, has a maximum pressure of 14,000 psi. The .32 ACP is 26,500 psi, almost twice as much.

No, don't fire .32 Auto in those guns. They might not blow up, but it sure won't do them any good.

As to .32 S&W Long, the fact that it fits is not a good indicator. Many of the older .32 S&W [short] revolvers had no shoulders in the chambers and will accept the .32 S&W Long. The pressure is not that much higher, but it is best to stick with what the gun was made for.

Jim

JJT10 · April 5, 2011, 08:23 PM

I certainly won't fire the 32 autos from them, thanks. When I got the guns I got some 32 S&W (shorter than the autos) and some 32 S&W long rounds that were loaded at some time. 1 misses , I suspect that's the timing issue. The other 2 fire ok

April 5, 2011, 03:50 PM	#2
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	DO NOT be shooting .32 auto from these guns. Basically they were made for black powder rounds and the .32 auto will generate way too much pressure for these guns to handle. (There is an H&R expert who haunts this forum; Hopefully he will join in and give you a more detailed synopsis of what models you have.) Also, are you sure these are for the .32 S&W long cartridges and not just the original .32 S&W round? (Hint: If the .32 S&W Long round chambers, then they are suited for that round, which is still relatively available in gun stores.) I gave these guns the moniker of "Gaslight Era" revolvers as they tended to flourish during that time in our history.

April 5, 2011, 04:24 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	If you were unlucky enough for a .32 ACP to actually fire you would be left with a gun in several pieces and possibly severe damage to some of your body parts. The .32 long came about in 1896 so it's possible they could be chambered for it. If it says .32 S&W ctg. it's not chambered for S&W Long.

April 5, 2011, 04:26 PM	#4
jtb1967 Junior member Join Date: September 29, 2004 Location: WV Posts: 454	They're fairly common revolvers. Do all three function well with no timing issues? It seems most I find aren't in working condition anymore. I can guarantee you they aren't chambered in 32 H&R mag or 32 auto!

April 5, 2011, 06:54 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The .32 S&W, for which those revolvers were designed, has a maximum pressure of 14,000 psi. The .32 ACP is 26,500 psi, almost twice as much. No, don't fire .32 Auto in those guns. They might not blow up, but it sure won't do them any good. As to .32 S&W Long, the fact that it fits is not a good indicator. Many of the older .32 S&W [short] revolvers had no shoulders in the chambers and will accept the .32 S&W Long. The pressure is not that much higher, but it is best to stick with what the gun was made for. Jim

April 5, 2011, 08:23 PM	#6
JJT10 Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Posts: 28	I certainly won't fire the 32 autos from them, thanks. When I got the guns I got some 32 S&W (shorter than the autos) and some 32 S&W long rounds that were loaded at some time. 1 misses , I suspect that's the timing issue. The other 2 fire ok