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  #1  
Old 07-03-2016, 05:44 PM
MackHR MackHR is offline
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Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket  
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Default Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket

Hello All,

Would greatly appreciate help in properly dating the production period (FIRST Model or SECOND Model period) for my H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Safety Hammer Revolver.

For "SAFETY" reasons, I want to know what type of ammunition that I would load into this gun. I want to know if this either a "Black Powder Only" First Model gun or a later produced Second Model that shoot .32 cal. S&W short "smokless" cartridges.

If it is a First Model, where do I buy black powder cartridges for it?

If it is a Second Model, what .32 S&W cal. low power smokeless cartridges do you recommend to "safely" shoot in the gun without it suffering metal fatigue that would lead to an explosion of the revolver chamber ultimately?

This is a "VERY SMALL" antique gun meant for CCW only. It has no sights of any sort on it. The gun appears as though it was never fired. It is in excellent condition for its age I would say.

IDENTIFYING MARKINGS:

There no markings as to what caliber it is, but I know it is a .32 caliber weapon.

On the "butt" of the gun is engraved (see pictures):

H. & R. Arms Co.
Worcester. Mass. U.S.A.

On the inner strap of the handle is engraved a SIX DIGIT number (numbers only, No Letters).

On top of gun is engraved:

VEST POCKET
SAFETY HAMMER

As one can only know the "period" produced as older antique H&R weapons are hard to date, I hope the info I provided would be enough for H&R collectors, etc. to properly date a production period for the gun, so I know whether it is "black powder only" or the later "smokeless powder" type weapon.

Thanks to you all!
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Old 07-04-2016, 10:22 PM
walter o walter o is offline
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Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket  
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Your best bet to find answers is in the this book
By W.E. "Bill" Goforth H & R Arms Co. 1871-1986 (1st First Edition ...
https://www.amazon.com/Bill-Goforth.../B00RWS4A...

I welcomed this book when I received it, because it's about a gun company that has had little written about it. The author, Bill Goforth, passed away 3 years ago, ...
Thew book is still available.
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Old 07-08-2016, 11:15 AM
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DWalt DWalt is offline
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Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket Does This Gun Use Black Powder Or Smokeless Powder? Dating H&R .32 Cal. Vest Pocket  
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In general, any smokeless .32 S&W load you can buy today will be safe to use in any revolver chambered for .32 S&W. They are loaded very lightly in the anticipation that some will be used in the old BP-era revolvers. Otherwise, about all you can do is to load your own using black powder.
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