New baby revolver dropped into my lap today!

[tacklebury]

My FFL gave me this little H&R Breaktop today as it needs some work.  He got it in a trade and told me I could just take it with me, thx Jim.    Anyway, it's got some surface rust, but the opening mechanism, ejector, hand and hammer all appear to be really solid.  There's no wear on the hammer side of the sear, but it doesn't like to hold engagement with the trigger, so I assume it's the trigger side single action sear.  It does function smoothly in double action, however.  The cylinder stop is pretty worn and I think I'll be needing to find a replacement for that prior to possibly even shooting it as there is some slop once it does lock up.  I intend to take it to a local gunsmith too, but thought I'd see if you guys can help me with an exact model as there is no model or serial number anywhere.  Only 38 S&W CTGE on the left side of the barrel ahead of the cylinder.    Appreciate any thoughts. 

 

 
P.S. if anyone knows where there's a breakdown instruction for the trigger, sear and cylinder pawl, I'd love a link.  I got the hammer out to check it's sear surface and back in ok. 
 
***edit***
Ok after reading another post about a breaktop, I saw that the serial number is under the topstrap.  I found this and it is 449xxx.  Leaving the last 3 digits off for security right now.  I still see nothing of a model name, but the other guys breaktop which is similar except 32 S&W, is a 1st Model Premier.  I'm thinking that's about where this one is or a little newer.

[tacklebury]

Another bit of data on this one.  There are no patent dates on the top of the barrel as most of these posts talk about.  It just states Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. with Worcestor Mass. USA on the second line.

[tacklebury]

Well, I took her back to my FFL and we looked things over again really well and he thinks the first digit is a 4 not a 1.  Meaning it might be post 1898.  Anyway to be safe, he's going to run the number and then I can get a permit to purchase it and I'll be covered.  So hopefully, after a brief pause here, it'll be back to me. 

[tacklebury]

Well, it's all been transferred to me legal.  It is a 1914/1915 model after all.  I got the dies/brass yesterday, so I set about and loaded up 20 .38 S&W to test with tomorrow.    Should be a fun plinker.  Bullets will be going a whopping 649 FPS approx. 
 

[knight0334]

Remember, 38S&W uses a .361" bullet.   While .357/.358" bullet will often engage the rifling, there will quite possibly be a lot of blow-by which in turn will cause leading issues. 

Unfortunately, .361" bullet molds are as rare as hens teeth.   I'm having a mold made by an uncle who has his own personal machine shop.

On your next venture in finding bullets for it, look for some cast that are as close to .361" as possible.   

[tacklebury]

Thanks for the info Knight.    I saw that midway had some that size, but for a function test I think these .359 as cast are going to be ok.  This actually has some pretty aggressive rifling compared to several other pistols I own.  I'm hoping it'll be civilized anyway.  hehe  I may try Beagling them up some with a flat face jaw in a vice.  I see that Matt's bullets has a couple different weights of this size, so I may buy some from him. 
 
http://www.mattsbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=205