The Golfer's Gun.

Here is an interesting story of a recent acquisition. Found in a set of golf clubs at an estate sale was this club head sock, and inside was a .38 revolver. A little cleaning and some research left me with questions. A post to the Firearms Forum provided answers. (The Firearms Forum post has been edited a little to shorten it, the full post can be seen here: http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=88178 .)

The photos referred to at picasa web, are included in this blog post.

CapBuster Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1

H&R Hammerless .38 with low serial number. I am looking for help in identifying the model and manufacture date of an H&R hammerless 5 shot top break in 38 S&W caliber. Markings on top of the barrel rib are difficult to read through the nickel plating, but appear to be "HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS COMPANY WORCESTER MASS. USA". The second line reads "PAT. OCT. 4, '87 MAY 14 & AUG. 6 '89, APRIL 2, '95, APRIL 7, 1896". This revolver has a two digit serial number and no letter code. There is nothing on the left side of the barrel so I am assuming it was made prior to 1904. Good rifling, mother of pearl grips, very good condition mechanically. The nickel plate finish is in in fair condition with rusted areas with no plating left. There is an album of photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/1030431...son38Topbreak# Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me.

H&R Hammerless .38 topbreak revolver. This handgun was found in a golf club sock in a golf bag at an estate sale. Other indications at the sale showed a pretty talented golfer who gave up the game in the early '60's. Pretty good condition for having been 'lost' for 50 years.

The mother-of-pearl grip on this side has a natural flaw where the shell was a tiny bit shy of the dimension required. The nickel plate is in better condition than most of my other old revolvers.

This is where the serial number should be. This is the first two digit number I have seen, especially considering a production run in the hundreds of thousands. Usually H&R serial numbers included letters.

I have read that this location under the top strap should have the entire serial number also. Again, just the two digits.

The same two digit number is prominent on the extractor 'star', and can be seen on the cylinder also at about the 4 o'clock position.

The button ahead of the sight screw is the cylinder release for removing the cylinder for cleaning.

Re: H&R Hammerless .38 with low serial number. CapBuster, Welcome to the forum. Very interesting story about that golfer and his bag. Anyway... From your description and the excellent pictures (which show everything we need for IDing a firearm, BTW): You have an H&R "HAMMERLESS - Large Frame", 1st Model, made 1899-1904. It is the first variation of this model and made to handle black powder loadings. It is chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge (not .38 S&W SPECIAL.) With a 2 digit serial number (21 under top strap is "official" s/n location), I would GUESS probably 1st week of production in 1899. It appears to have had a Nickel plated finish. Current condition appears to be around 50 to 60% which puts it in the GOOD- to FAIR+ range: this would put it's RETAIL value at around $95 to $110, assuming mechanically it does everything it is supposed to do. Mother-of-Pearl grips were factory optional - if you carefully remove the grip panels and find the serial number written on the back sides (usually in pencil), it confirms factory hand fitting. Hope this helps and nice FIND. Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth

So, there it is. A nice condition old H&R with an interesting story associated with it, and the 21st one off the production line in 1899. A not very valuable, but a very rewarding addition to my modest collection.