Identification help - Please!

[rrthomas]

A friend asked me to try to identify this little revolver for him. It has no manufacturer name anywhere on it - at least I can't find one. It is a six shot, hammerless, double action only and is .32 S&W caliber. It does not have a loading gate cover and there does not appear to be any provision for one. The octagonal barrel appears to be about 3 inches long. The only markings on the revolver are as follows: left side of the top strap - "DOUBLE ACTION"; right side of the top strap -"SAFETY HAMMER", left side of hammer - "PATENTED APRIL 5, 1887.
Pictures can be found at this link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/welcome

Snapfish Login information:

email address: rod.thomas999@gmail.com
password: mystery

Also - if anyone can tell me how to remove the cylinder - I would appreciate that information as well. Thanks in advance for your help.

[andresere]

Well, if you Google "Patented April 5, 1887" you will find out it is................................................ ........
your revolver is a variant of the H&R 'American double action' revolver. this model was actually one of h&r more popular models it was manufactured between 1883 and 1941. the 'safety hammer double action' variant was introduced in 1890 and remained in production until the end (1941). the American double action was manufactured in two models first model 1883-1904 (black powder cartridge pressures) and second model 1905-1941 (smokeless powder cartridges pressures). the only outward differences in the two models is the second model has the H&R Arms Co. name and address marked on the left side of the barrel. yours does not appear to have the left side barrel markings so it would be a first model manufactured between 1890 and 1904. the main serial number location is on the bottom of the butt or under the grips on the left side, but there appears to have been several different serial number series so as of now it is impossible to do any exact dating of the first model. the patent date marked on the hammer is for patent number 360686 for the spurless hammer design. this is not a true hammerless model as the hammer is only spurless and it can be cocked single action.

the nickel finish is standard and the safety hammer model was only offered in 2 1/2 inch barrel length. the standard American double action model was offered with 4 1/2 and 6 inch barrel lengths. calibers offered were 32 6 rounds, 38 5 rounds and 44 Webley 5 rounds. there was also a smaller frame version called the 'young America' double action, it was offered in calibers 32 5 rounds and 22 rimfire 7 rounds.

these revolvers like all early H&R revolvers are collectible but need to be in 80% condition of better before they are worth more that $50.

[andresere]

Gotta love Google

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=24615

[rrthomas]

Thanks for the information - I really appreciate it.