Top Break H & R in my future?

C5rider · February 4, 2013, 07:09 PM

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I've gotten a wild hair to pick up a nice top-break revolver. I've done some scouring of the 'net and found many examples of fine-working revolvers that have some wear or pitting.

I really dig the longer barrels and I'd like to get it in 32 or 38 caliber. I've looked at the Uberti guns ($$$) and then I found this one on GB.

I've purchased guns on a whim before and I've been lucky a few times. But, I'd much rather make an informed decision before I jump in with both feet. The fact that these guns are over 100 years old means that they most likely aren't going to rust away before I can find one that suits me.

I'm welcoming any and all info (about this one or what to look for) so that when the time comes, I'll feel more confident in the purchase, having both eyes open.

The cost of this one is higher than many of the others. Is it a "rare" gun as noted? Like I said, I like the longer barrel and, I like the exposed hammer. The gun won't be a CCW or shot often, but it will be required to shoot. I do like a nice looking gun as well.

thanks for any help and direction/websites that may help me in making an INFORMED decision.

McShooty · February 7, 2013, 10:45 PM

This is a very nice example of an H&R top break and the long barrel is much less common than a 3.25" bbl on this revolver. The marking "32 S&W Ctg" on the left side of the barrel indicates it can fire smokeless powder loads. It was manufactured some time after 1900 so it would not be classified as an antique. You will find that it is chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge and it can fire both the Long and the shorter .32 S&W cartridge. It is usually safe to fire factory loads in these guns. It looks to be in excellent condition, and may, in fact, be worth nearly the $425 asking price. I probably would not pay that for it because that is close to what one could get a stronger, side swing .32 for, say, a Colt Police Positive or an S&W Hand ejector.

If you look at the cylinder you will see that the cylinder stops are simple flutes. There is no actual notch to positively capture the cylinder stop bolt as there is on a Colt or S&W. For this reason, old H&Rs are often a bit sloppy in cylinder alignment, especially when operated in single action mode. When I fire my old H&Rs single action I nudge the cylinder after cocking to make sure the cylinder flute is firm against the stop. Then I know the chamber and barrel are aligned and firing will be fine. Of, course, a gun in fine condition will not need this attention. Other than this, the top break H&R are actually pretty well made arms.

PetahW · February 8, 2013, 06:11 AM

.

FWIW, Before I bid on that particular gun, I'd surely want to know exactly WHERE the "hairline crack", that the seller disclosed, is located - since he effectively didn't specify (the disclosure sentence only said that "it" has a hairline crack, period.).

If the crack's in the grip, is one thing - but if it's in the frame, IMHO it's a deal-breaker at any price.

.

James K · February 10, 2013, 08:28 PM

That gun would, IMHO, gladden the heart of an H&R collector, but it leaves a lot to be desired as a practical gun. The comments by McShooty are right on and should be considered seriously.

I think the "hairline crack" comment applied to the grips, but PetahW is right, you should get that straightened out.

Jim

RJay · February 10, 2013, 11:00 PM

IMHO, I also feel, even as a collectors item, it is at least 150 over priced.

bop · February 11, 2013, 01:18 PM

I'm with you Rjay. And all the above. Nice looking revolver but well above the real value. I'd do a little more looking before laying out that kind of cash. Seems like these old breaktops are going through the roof since Nov.2012.

C5rider · February 11, 2013, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the insights. I'm more for the "classics" than my brother (Mr. Tactical)

, but even these ol' top breaks are more "vintage" than I'm accustomed to. I do see picking one up when I find the right one. All of this information helps me to know exactly when I do find it.

Thanks again.

James K · February 11, 2013, 02:53 PM

Sorry, I didn't look at the price. Someone thinks that gun is worth a lot more than it is, but perhaps they will get it.

Jim

February 4, 2013, 07:09 PM	#1
C5rider Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2011 Posts: 108	Top Break H & R in my future? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've gotten a wild hair to pick up a nice top-break revolver. I've done some scouring of the 'net and found many examples of fine-working revolvers that have some wear or pitting. I really dig the longer barrels and I'd like to get it in 32 or 38 caliber. I've looked at the Uberti guns ($$$) and then I found this one on GB. I've purchased guns on a whim before and I've been lucky a few times. But, I'd much rather make an informed decision before I jump in with both feet. The fact that these guns are over 100 years old means that they most likely aren't going to rust away before I can find one that suits me. I'm welcoming any and all info (about this one or what to look for) so that when the time comes, I'll feel more confident in the purchase, having both eyes open. The cost of this one is higher than many of the others. Is it a "rare" gun as noted? Like I said, I like the longer barrel and, I like the exposed hammer. The gun won't be a CCW or shot often, but it will be required to shoot. I do like a nice looking gun as well. thanks for any help and direction/websites that may help me in making an INFORMED decision. __________________ The United States Constitution is not under glass to protect it from the dust of the ages, but rather from the fingerprints of those who are elected to uphold it.

February 8, 2013, 06:11 AM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. FWIW, Before I bid on that particular gun, I'd surely want to know exactly WHERE the "hairline crack", that the seller disclosed, is located - since he effectively didn't specify (the disclosure sentence only said that "it" has a hairline crack, period.). If the crack's in the grip, is one thing - but if it's in the frame, IMHO it's a deal-breaker at any price. . Last edited by PetahW; February 8, 2013 at 06:18 AM.

February 10, 2013, 11:00 PM	#5
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	IMHO, I also feel, even as a collectors item, it is at least 150 over priced. __________________ Ron James

February 11, 2013, 01:25 PM	#7
C5rider Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2011 Posts: 108	Thanks for the insights. I'm more for the "classics" than my brother (Mr. Tactical), but even these ol' top breaks are more "vintage" than I'm accustomed to. I do see picking one up when I find the right one. All of this information helps me to know exactly when I do find it. Thanks again. __________________ The United States Constitution is not under glass to protect it from the dust of the ages, but rather from the fingerprints of those who are elected to uphold it.

February 7, 2013, 10:45 PM	#2
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	This is a very nice example of an H&R top break and the long barrel is much less common than a 3.25" bbl on this revolver. The marking "32 S&W Ctg" on the left side of the barrel indicates it can fire smokeless powder loads. It was manufactured some time after 1900 so it would not be classified as an antique. You will find that it is chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge and it can fire both the Long and the shorter .32 S&W cartridge. It is usually safe to fire factory loads in these guns. It looks to be in excellent condition, and may, in fact, be worth nearly the $425 asking price. I probably would not pay that for it because that is close to what one could get a stronger, side swing .32 for, say, a Colt Police Positive or an S&W Hand ejector. If you look at the cylinder you will see that the cylinder stops are simple flutes. There is no actual notch to positively capture the cylinder stop bolt as there is on a Colt or S&W. For this reason, old H&Rs are often a bit sloppy in cylinder alignment, especially when operated in single action mode. When I fire my old H&Rs single action I nudge the cylinder after cocking to make sure the cylinder flute is firm against the stop. Then I know the chamber and barrel are aligned and firing will be fine. Of, course, a gun in fine condition will not need this attention. Other than this, the top break H&R are actually pretty well made arms.

February 10, 2013, 08:28 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That gun would, IMHO, gladden the heart of an H&R collector, but it leaves a lot to be desired as a practical gun. The comments by McShooty are right on and should be considered seriously. I think the "hairline crack" comment applied to the grips, but PetahW is right, you should get that straightened out. Jim

February 11, 2013, 01:18 PM	#6
bop Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: arizona Posts: 34	I'm with you Rjay. And all the above. Nice looking revolver but well above the real value. I'd do a little more looking before laying out that kind of cash. Seems like these old breaktops are going through the roof since Nov.2012.

February 11, 2013, 02:53 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Sorry, I didn't look at the price. Someone thinks that gun is worth a lot more than it is, but perhaps they will get it. Jim