I went and looked at two 22LR revolver's this morning. The first is a S&W pre-model 35 I frame, target, 6" barrel,blued,round butt,diamond grips that are numbered to the gun, serial number is in the 21000 range. No box or papers and the condition has got to be 97% to 98%. The guy that has it wants me to put a price on it. Need some help.

What I did buy was a H&R sportsman target revolver. It's a top break 9 shot, has an ajustable front and rear sight, 6" barrel and it's orginal numbered box. It also has a cleaning brush but i don't know if thats correct. The grips are made of wood and are one peice. I think the gun was made in the early to mid 30's but i could be wrong. Any info on this would be great. It just kind of talked to me and i had to have it, I normaly don't buy anything without doing some research but what the hell. Tell me what you think...

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George Jamison

hi
first the round butts are not seen very ofter most are square butt
and a all orginal matching in 97 or 98 % is worth at least 800 to 850.
jim fisher

I'm kind of in step with Jim on this one. There are not that many Pre-35s around -- or if there are, I never see them. I would think a rock-bottom price for this gun would be $750, and if I wanted one bad enough (which I sometimes do), I might be willing to push pretty close to a thousand and maybe a little to the other side to get it.

I kind of like that H&R. Feels like 1930s to me, too. Interesting recessed rim treatment.

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David Wilson

Since you asked, I'll tell you what I think ... go back and buy the Smith. You will not regret it.

If you don't want it, send me an email as I would love to have it.


Charlie

That H&R Sportsman was fist produced around 1935. It was an upgrade to the H&R Special. One major difference is that the Special had a free floating cylinder system and a smaller, non-adjustable rear sight. The grips are most likely walnut and those must be special order H&R grips for it, because I haven't seen one with that heel extension like yours. I have one from the late 30s and looks just like the one you have, without the grip heel extension, and it is a tack driver. A lot of fun to shoot. Like you, I bought it without knowing much about these pistols, but am glad I have it. The box is a nice touch too. You don't see to many of those.

Oh yea, go back and buy the Pre 35. I just last month bought an early 35 (serial 41XXX) from a table pard at a local show. I didn't have the money really but he knew I wanted it and the pre-opening show dealers were swarming the table. He had $750 on it and told me he wasn't particulary fond of the other dealers and that he'd let me knock off $100 if I wanted it. Of course I did. Mine is a 35 (no dash) and is on the improved I frame, with flat latch and numbered grips. It has the box and papers and is what I would call new in box. No blueing wear at all.
I say all of this to say that probably the gun you are looking at is a thousand dollar piece. You won't be sorry with that purchase.

Roger

The model 35 is a great gun, as is it's predecessor, the 22/32 target.
I don't know if those grips were offered on the Sportsman, but they are one of the seven offered for the USRA on the same frame. Definitely a 30's vintage from the box and barrel contour which appeared on the later USRA's.

Buy the Smith, shoot them both, and report your results.

Bob Hart #946

Red9 whats the USRA? Where can i find the same information? Thanks for all the info on the pre 35. will try to make the deal today....

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George Jamison

USRA Model H&R,,,'United States Revolver Assn' Single Shot Pistol.
22rf cal breakopen target pistol made with one piece grips of the type that your revolver has. The USRA had a choice of several different styles. They are easily changed with the one screw into the frame as is your Sportsman. Early models were just called the H&R Single Shot.
IIRC both Walter Roper and Julian Hatchers names are associated with the pistols design in some way.
(Paul @ Pro-Gun collected them at one time and had quite a number)
I think the prewar Sportsman revolver was offered with different grips styles too. Take off the grip and you'll see the frame is a severe birds head style to allow for most any different grip configuration.
The post war Sportsman 999 has the same grip attachment system too.

Nice revolver!

2152 is correct about different grip styles being available. I am aware of at least six different styles of grips that could have been ordered for the Sportsman. There could have been more.

when i read the inside of the box, 7 different styles of grips. thanks for the info on the USRA. does any one out there have any factory info that would show all 7 styles of grips?

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George Jamison

Here are the H&R grips. Yours appear to be the number 5 style. The pictures show them on both the USRA and the Sportsman.

Bob

Attached Images

USRA Grips.jpg (69.0 KB, 69 views)

thanks red, did you get that from a book?

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George Jamison