H&R revolvers... more confusing than you'd think.

[Dr.Rob]

First off, Flayderman's, The Standard Catalog and Blue Book are severely lacking in information on the myriad of models H&R produced between 1871 and WW2 as the company reorganized several times.

William Goforth was putting together a definitive guide: http://www.gunshowbooks.com/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=HandRBook&sid=KV4x@IAp but as he passed away before it was published the book seems to be permanently 'on hold'.

I have since discovered by pouring over a number of sources that an 'unnamed Belgian bulldog' is in fact, an H&R revolver though its not marked H&R anywhere. The style of the base pin release was my only clue to look this up as an H&R. It's almost certainly made for black powder cartridges. No serial numbers anywhere. Made 1883-1940, but since the company re-organized in 1888, and the name was then printed on the barrel. So I think I have a 1883-88 window on this one. It's a 32.

 

[Dr.Rob]

This one is a 1904 model in .38 S&W , and locks up tight. I don't doubt this one could shoot, though I have no desire to fire it.

Unlike the previous model this has a serial number and some other details that could 'date' it--though again this model was made in vast numbers.

I doubt either one has much value but they are neat old pieces and examples of real firearms people owned and carried in the late 19th and early 20th century.

 

[Dr.Rob]

H&R didn't make many changes to these old guns over the years. Viewed side by side they are almost identical... though the older gun is a six shot. According to one source the 1904 was renamed the MODEL 4 in 1905, which if true would certainly pin down the date on this one.

 

[Jim K]

"The American Double Action" is a well known H&R gun. I have never seen it described as either "unknown" or "Belgian".

Likewise the Model 1904.

But you are correct in that H&R information is scanty and often incorrect. I had been looking forward to that book, and still hope that someone can pick up on it and get it ready for publication.

Jim

 

[LAGS]

That looks just like my American, and it too had no markings on the barrel.
But my Young American did.
The H&R revolvers are not similar to the Belgian Bulldog, they are different in many ways.
I have that one Belgian, British Bulldog in .34 cal.