Does anyone know anything about these guns?

[loudgroove]

Another poster just posted a thread about his German luger that his grandpa brought back fron WW 2. I had forgotten about these 2 guns that was in my grandpa's gun case when he passed. My mom had never seen them before and had no idea if they were even passed down to him. I'm sure the revolver is a 32 but not sure about anything else. Any info is appreciated.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Another poster just posted a thread about his German luger that his grandpa brought back fron WW 2. I had forgotten about these 2 guns that was in my grandpa's gun case when he passed. My mom had never seen them before and had no idea if they were even passed down to him. I'm sure the revolver is a 32 but not sure about anything else. Any info is appreciated.

The revolver looks like an H&R .32 S&W breaktop. Not sure about the muzzle loader.

 

[loudgroove]

The revolver looks like an H&R .32 S&W breaktop. Not sure about the muzzle loader.

ok now I can make out Harrington & Richardson on the top of the barrel. My eyes aren't as good as they should be. Other forums showed up in a search. And I guess it's advised not to use modern rounds in them, they were designed to use black power not smokeless powder. I know nothing about rounds of that type. Thanks for the start on this journey.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

ok now I can make out Harrington & Richardson on the top of the barrel. My eyes aren't as good as they should be. Other forums showed up in a search. And I guess it's advised not to use modern rounds in them, they were designed to use black power not smokeless powder. I know nothing about rounds of that type. Thanks for the start on this journey.

I had a hard time making it out too, but I could just make out the "dson" and figured it out.

Paging @Leadeye

 

[Leadeye]

The gun marked CMC is a replica of what is known of as a "boot pistol". The revolver is a H&R probably chambered for 38 S&W or maybe 32 S&W, in both cases you need to date it to determine if it's going to require BP cartridges.

Top breaks like that were popular and were made for a long time.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

The gun marked CMC is a replica of what is known of as a "boot pistol". The revolver is a H&R probably chambered for 38 S&W or maybe 32 S&W, in both cases you need to date it to determine if it's going to require BP cartridges.

I figured you'd know.

 

[Leadeye]

I figured you'd know.

I like those little top breaks and have several. While they don't make it into movies set in the west, or around the turn of the century, they were very popular.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I like those little top breaks and have several. While they don't make it into movies set in the west, or around the turn of the century, they were very popular.

I've got one that DoggyMama found at a yard sale. I've never done anything with it though. It's in similar condition to the OP's.

 

[loudgroove]

The gun marked CMC is a replica of what is known of as a "boot pistol". The revolver is a H&R probably chambered for 38 S&W or maybe 32 S&W, in both cases you need to date it to determine if it's going to require BP cartridges.

Top breaks like that were popular and were made for a long time.

A 38 doesn't fit in the cylinder. Thats why I was thinking a 32. What dates determine BP cartridges? And are they still available, or do I need to deal with reloads? And the other is a replica? This is interesting. Well time to fire up the search engine again. Thanks for helping me on this journey.

 

[loudgroove]

This turned up in my search. Looks like mine even though the ram rod and its mounts are missing on mine. The gun in this add does not state it is a replica.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/996413029

 

[Mgderf]

A 38 doesn't fit in the cylinder. Thats why I was thinking a 32. What dates determine BP cartridges? And are they still available, or do I need to deal with reloads? And the other is a replica? This is interesting. Well time to fire up the search engine again. Thanks for helping me on this journey.

I have a couple of old .32 S&W revolvers.
Yes, you can find .32 S&W, and .32 S&W long.
Yours will be .32 S&W.
Make sure the box says that, exactly that, and nothing else.
I don't think these are actually black powder rounds, but they are loaded to the traditional black powder pressures.
This they are safe to use in the old firearms, provided the gun is in good shape.

You'll probably have to go online to find any ammo.
You might find one box in an old time gun shop, but I doubt anyone stocks it as a regular offering.

Good luck.
These are fun to shoot.

 

[loudgroove]

I have a couple of old .32 S&W revolvers.
Yes, you can find .32 S&W, and .32 S&W long.
Yours will be .32 S&W.
Make sure the box says that, exactly that, and nothing else.
I don't think these are actually black powder rounds, but they are loaded to the traditional black powder pressures.
This they are safe to use in the old firearms, provided the gun is in good shape.

You'll probably have to go online to find any ammo.
You might find one box in an old time gun shop, but I doubt anyone stocks it as a regular offering.

Good luck.
These are fun to shoot.

Thanks!!

 

[Leadeye]

32S&W brass is available from Starline. The guns I have that shoot 32 S&W, like this 7 shot Merwin, I load with cast soft lead and BP. BP cartridge has some extra details like cleaning the brass and powder compression for good results, but the rewards are being able to shoot many antiques that smokeless would damage.

 

[loudgroove]

32S&W brass is available from Starline. The guns I have that shoot 32 S&W, like this 7 shot Merwin, I load with cast soft lead and BP. BP cartridge has some extra details like cleaning the brass and powder compression for good results, but the rewards are being able to shoot many antiques that smokeless would damage.

View attachment 300079

Is there more compression with smokeless?

 

[Leadeye]

Is there more compression with smokeless?

With any BP cartridge you will the most consistent results if you use enough powder that the bullet compresses it slightly when you get it fully seated. Magnum primers are another tip to improve consistency. Soft lead bullets help as well.

A short while back I posted about restoring and shooting an old Colt Richards. Following these steps produced quite reasonable accuracy considering the age of the gun and bore condition.

Best of luck!

 

[loudgroove]

All the ammo online in 32 S&W bp seems to be blanks and also out of stock. Looks like I need to talk to a reloader.