Gun question from a clueless bastid...

[Eric Perry]

Hey guys,

Long story short, my uncle recently passed away. He was a gun collector. One of his wishes was that all of his nephews had a gun. The gun nuts in my family got some killer looking guns. I didn't want any. My brother wanted me to at least take the runt of the bunch, so I agreed. It's *old*! No idea what it is either. I'm asking for the pros here to assist me identifying it. There's no S/N that I can find. No numbers anywhere, actually. Here's a few pics. Any input would be appreciated...

 

[Pacman]

Harrington and Richardson, I'm going to guess Model 1880. About 4,000 made between 1880 and 1883. Not worth a ton.

 

[Eric Perry]

Harrington and Richardson, I'm going to guess Model 1880. About 4,000 made between 1880 and 1883. Not worth a ton.

1880??? Jesus! It's seriously that old?? What is it? As in .357, .44, etc? Also, is it possible to register it, being there's no S/N?

Thanks, Jon!

 

[oniman7]

I don't know if I'm allowed to plug here, but thefiringline.com forums would be great for helping you! I can post a link there if you want more information?

That brand is typically just referred to as H&R

And on behalf of people who shoot, if you're even going to have ammo in the house or ever have any plans of using it, please take a safety course which includes some range time shooting it. You may find it fun! I find shooting higher calibers fun and lower calibers (.380 or .22) to be very relaxing. It's kind of "Zen".

 

[oniman7]

1880??? Jesus! It's seriously that old?? What is it? As in .357, .44, etc? Also, is it possible to register it, being there's no S/N?

Thanks, Jon!

What state are you in?

Most states don't require any registration whatsoever once they've left the gun shop.

EDIT: It looks to be a .32 and somebody else mentioned that when I looked it up, but I'll edit again when I get confirmation

 

[Pacman]

If my guess is right, it's either a .38 or a .32.

You can register it, no problem.


Edit: The more I look at it, the surer I get that I'm right.

 

[Eric Perry]

Thanks guys. I want it mainly as a keepsake from my uncle. I doubt I'll use it. I'm not much of a gun guy.

 

[bassteban]

I have that exact same model- my boss, an avowed firearm enthusiast, told me it is a .32.

Edit: Mine belonged to my late father-in-law; I also have his old 1911

 

[oniman7]

Invalid Link Removed

It looks like unless you live in Illinois, Clark County Nevada, California, Hawaii, DC, Maryland, Michigan, or New York you do not need to register it and may enjoy it as is.

It's also old enough to be certified Curious and Relic (C&R) or maybe Antique. Fun fact.

It looks like selling value is $150 to $350.

It also appears they were made in .32 and .38

I hope that answers all of your questions.

 

[Pacman]

I have that exact same model- my boss, an avowed firearm enthusiast, told me it is a .32.

The Model 1880 came in both .32 and .38, so you really can't tell from a photograph.

 

[jeremy_p]

Yep, a neat old piece of history. It's a C&R piece, so no real regulations. Have a competent gunsmith check it out if you want to shoot it. Oh, and black powder loads only.

 

[bassteban]

The Model 1880 came in both .32 and .38, so you really can't tell from a photograph.

Pardon me- I meant to indicate that I own a very similar handgun; a fairly knowledgeable gun person told me(upon a firsthand inspection)that it is a .32 caliber. Should not have said *exact*

Edit: Mine is a six-shooter, w/some other differences. Will try to post pics

 

[Eric Perry]

Yep, a neat old piece of history. It's a C&R piece, so no real regulations. Have a competent gunsmith check it out if you want to shoot it. Oh, and black powder loads only.

What are black powder loads? Sorry for my ignorance.

 

[oniman7]

Older firearms use black powder, an explosive. New guns use smokeless/quick-burning powder, which is highly flammable rather than explosive and uses the fire to create an expansion of gases pushing the bullet instead of black powder.

If you ever want to buy ammo for it, just make sure you know you're looking for (probably .32 or .38 Smith and Wesson) black powder ammunition. Anybody at any gun shop will probably be happy to assist you.

In fact, if this piece will only fire black powder, it's considered an antique firearm and not even regulated as a firearm in terms of transit/commerce.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Try bringing it on an aeroplane under your shirt and see how the judge classifies it.

 

[marchone]

A C&R (Curio and Relic) is a firearm that is 50 years old or more. Your handgun is an Antique made before 1899. As such it is not regulated by federal law.

An H&R 1880 5-shot is probably .38 S&W caliber.

 

[oniman7]

Try bringing it on an aeroplane under your shirt and see how the judge classifies it.

Yes, I should have clarified that. Using it in a crime, it will still be considered a gun.

But, for instance, they don't require background checks and I don't believe you have to be 21 to buy a black powder handgun from a retailer.

But, from Eric's posts, I didn't assume he would be taking it onto an airplane or even really taking it anywhere.

 

[Phil508]

Since its was made up in this neck of the woods, you may have some people that know about it on here;

http://www.northeastshooters.com

or even better here, the company itself;

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MJ5150]

Once you get to Phoenix, head over to Las Vegas and have Rick from Pawn Stars scope it out for you. This may be one of those sweet moments where he gets that old guy in the Abe Lincoln hat to come by and look it over too.

-Mike