Can anybody tell me about the Harrington & Richardson premier .22 cal. break open revolver?
I know that there are plenty of the more common .32's & .38's but I have never seen a 22. I have my eye on a fairly decent shape one at a local shop but I don't know enough about it to judge weather or not it is a good deal. Thanks

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I reckon so

That would be the Model 999. Just like any revolver, check for end shake, how it locks up, condition of the bore, etc.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Actually the Premier is not the same as the Model 999, or Sportsman model, which is based on a large frame top break revolver.

The Premier you are talking about is a small frame, 7 shot in .22 Long or Long Rifle in the same frame size as the Premier in 32 S&W. They also made a bigger Premier frame size in .38 S&W. Early versions of this models are for black powder only.

The Premier model was made from 1895-1941 and the black powder models made from 1895 to about 1910. One easy way to tell if it is meant for smokeless powder is that there is a cylinder stop and when you break open the pistol, the cylinder stop is easy to see on the bottom of the frame. I own one of these and My cylinder stop was broken when I purchased it, but it was easily replaced. Black powder models had free wheeling cylinders.

There are at least 10 different variations of the small frame Premier. Most of the changes are internal parts or the roll stamp markings on the barrel. Earlier versions do not have any caliber markings on the side of the barrel. Mine does and it just says "22 Rim Fire". To be on the safe side, I only shoot 22 shorts through mine, even though it is supposedly strong enough for smokeless powder, why fuss with breaking anything.

They are very small in the hand, but pretty accurate and kind of fun to shoot too! You are right, the 22 versions are not easy to find, compared to the 32 and 38 Premier models.

The markings on this particular gun are all nice and sharp. This gun may be the last variation? It actually says on the left side of the barrel "PREMIER 22 CAL.R.F" The chrome plating is in very good shape, the cylinder locks up pretty tight and the action is relatively smooth and in time. The shop owner says that he test fired it with.22 shorts and like you, suggested shooting only.22 shorts through this gun.
He is asking $325. Based on the info. provided, does that seem reasonable? I like to haggle and was thinking of making an offer of considerably less. ( Yes, I'm a cheap ***)

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I reckon so

No, this is something much different from the 999 sportsman model. I actually owned one of those 20+ years ago.

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I reckon so

I think there much less here. Around $150/$175 but that was two years ago.

I did a search a few minutes ago on a couple of the auction sites and came up with exactly three listings. Two of them were 3" models and one that was a very intriguing 2" that looks like it would make a very nice breast pocket pistol. Asking prices were either reserved or close to the $300 mark.

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I reckon so

If it is as nice as you say, I wouldn't go much higher than $225.

3" was the standard barrel length on these. They also did make a 2, 4, 5 and 6" barrel versions as well.

Good luck!

Make sure the extraction works properly. It should come out and retract when it's fully open.
I'm not sure what's in the safe I think it's nib 3" and a 4" in shorter barrels.

I placed a bid on one of the ones that I found on GB. I'll also see if I can talk down the price of the one that is at my local gun shop. Hell, maybe I'll end up with both of them. Thanks for the help guys.
I appreciate it.

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I reckon so

I just looked at the one on GB and with the letter code of "A" and the side barrel having the model name listed with the caliber, that would put this pistols somewhere between 1906-1908. Still making it safe for smokeless powder.