Confession time...

[SaxonPig]

I think top-break revolvers are a hoot.

About 30 years ago my grandmother gave me a beautiful H&R .32 top-break that had belonged to her aunt. The gun was in like new condition and wore factory pearl stocks. Her husband had bought it for her and it had stayed in a dresser drawer for 40 years until she passed and it came to me.

It was stolen in 1986 along with all my other guns.

I never fired that little .32 but the top break revolvers have appealed to me ever since.

A couple years ago I found an Enfield on a table at a local show. Typical wartime finish it was tagged at $100 because the action was frozen. I bought it thinking I knew what was wrong. I was right. Grease was hardened in the action and simply pouring some solvent through it made right as rain. I picked up some RCBS dies and reloading this caliber is a snap. The .357" bullets are a bit undersize for the .360 bore but they shoot OK.





About two months ago I bagged this rough looking H&R Sportsman for $150. Looked like too much fun to leave it on the table.





These are fun but I wish I had the little .32 back.

Anyone else a closet break-top fancier?

 

[gunnie]

..."Anyone else a closet break-top fancier?"...

jeff cooper felt that if one prefered a revolver over his beloved 1911, that a webley in 45ACP with full moon clips was by far the best option.

gunnie

 

[BCRider]

I've got an H&R that is exactly like yours. However I don't consider myself a closet top break fan.... there's not enough room to space the targets out far enough in there....


Yeah, they really are a slick gun. I'm still working on fine tuning the mainspring and some other innards to try to make the DA pull tolerable and still get reliable ignition all the time. Once that's done I'll do up a nice custom wood grip to replace the "half melted bar of soap" looking blob that they put on the gun.

Oh, and I don't know if it's something that someone used on the gun or due to some corrosion effect but my frame blueing has turned a funky plum colour. If I can get the gun working well enough to meet my reliability expectations I'll likely strip the "plum'ing" and get it re-blued. Or more likely given that the value of the gun isn't all that great I'll just use one of the better cold blue treatments with some heating and chilling tests to see what works best.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Yeah, I love the looks of top-break revolvers. Here a couple of my Smiths, both in .32. They are anemic little guns, but very fun to shoot.

 

[K9american]

indoor use,
Nice collection of books.

 

[Old Fuff]

Pity the poor Old Fuff, 'cuz he's an addict.

In particular, Smith & Wesson’s. While the material isn't equal to today's the fit, finish and overall workmanship makes what we see now look like trash.

They are built like a Swiss watch, and probably as delicate. But the best part is that pocket models are so despised by the current generation that they can often be found in excellent condition for very reasonable prices - especially when you consider what they represent.

 

[788Ham]

indooruse,

"Those" are some very nice looking handguns! You're a lucky man to have 2 of them, you did good son!! I picked up an Beretta 1935 .32 auto at a pawn about 2 months ago, put in a set of new springs and that dude shoots good. It shoots the 7.65 mm instead of the .32, this ammo isn't hard to find, really a nice piece.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Of the handguns I own this 1937 H&R model 299-New Defender, 9shot, .22 is at the top of the A list.
From the discoloration on the ejector it appears to have been fired twice.(according to my Gun Smith)

I think it is a a well crafted work of art.


forindooruseonly- I am currently reading Brave Men. Ernie Pyle had a rare perspective/insight and IMHO is one of the easiest to follow writers of our time.

SaxonPig- I am continually impressed with your collection and gift for pics. To think you had to start over in 1986 is amazing, I bow.

Have any been returned?
I also hope the Police find one a day until they are all returned.

 

[Radagast]

Yes, I think the old top breaks are a hoot to own and shoot.

The neatest firearm I ever owned was a top break Otis A. Smith nickel plated .38 S&W with three inch barrel and exposed hammer. Very similar to the .38 Double Action S&W, but the trigger was, for want of a better term, a double action set trigger. When cocked a tiny stud sat proud through the trigger and the slightest pressure on it would release the hammer. It came wth the original box and didn't have a turn line or any evidence of being fired. I wish I still had it, it was a masterpiece of workmanship.

I've also shot seven different Webley and Enfield revolvers and owned one, they are exceptionally rugged with 'acceptable combat accuracy'. The MK III definitely had a better trigger than the wartime MKIV & Enfields, the unconverted Enfield No2 with Royal Australian Air Force markings was the most accurate. As I don't reload I ended up selling my South African Police marked No IV as I couldn't find any factory ammo for 12 months.

I don't see a topbreak in my future as I am parring my collection down to guns that I can actively compete or hunt with. Maybe when I'm old enough to shoot SASS I'll give them another go.

Indooruse: That is a lovely pair of old classics. It would be hard to resist if I found a pair like that for sale.

 

[CajunBass]

I always thought the H&R 999 was a neat looking handgun. I'd sort of halfway wanted one for years but never bothered to buy one when they were being made. Then when they quit making them, I couldn't find one.

Until a couple...three weeks ago I guess.



I always picture myself as Michael Caine in "Zulu" when I snap it open and all those empties go flying.

 

[Zebraranger]

I too like the look of the old top break revolvers. I only have one in my handgun collection, but its a nice one my Dad gave me. Its been in the family for a long time. Its a Smith & Wesson Double Action 3rd model. These small 3rd model DA's were made from 1884 to 1895. This one was made in 1886 and is in .38 S&W with the original grips. I dont shoot it, but I do like to take it out from time to time and just marvel at the craftmanship.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Thanks guys. Lots of H&Rs on here. I don't have any but one is on the short list. Maybe I'll find a good one at Wanamacher's this year.

Content, I really like that short barreled one. I've never seen one before and didn't realize they made one like that.

Zebra. is that factory scroll work? Looks awesome. I don't own a DA yet, once again, its on the list. Does the hammer rebound or do you have to cock it to break it open?

 

[bannockburn]

Yes inded there's just something so "old-timey" about a top break revolver that I would love to get one some day for my collection. Something along the lines of a S&W First or Second Model American, a New Model No. 3, or possibly a New Model Russian.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors//Thanks, the 299 is derived from the 999 pictured by CajunBass.

The big brother of the New Defender .22 was the Defender Special in .38 S&W.
Nice pair of Smiths BTW they are in much better condition than the ones I see for sale around here.

I think the 999/Sportsman are fine top breaks as well.

I'll add to my wish list -The Webley MK IV .38/200 it stands in a class all it's own.
Wiki states they are still in use by police and military in some countries.

 

[Oyeboten]

3rd Model 'Iver Johnson' Factory Snubulator in .38 S & W.





I also love the old Break Tops...this one is really fun too.


A true, factory 'Pocket Gun'.

 

[SaxonPig]

The 999 (evolved from the Sportsman) is a neat revolver.

I shot the old Sportsman yesterday and it surprised me at how well it did.