Local Pawn Shop Find

Citiboy289 · #1 03-19-2011, 08:10 AM

Local Pawn shop has this piece , What is it ? The asking price is open , Any Ideas

gunlovingirl · #2 03-19-2011, 08:47 AM

I could be wrong, but it looks like an H&R. Iver Johnson also made them, but I believe this one is an H&R. As far as what it's worth. I'd say $100-$125. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon.

jimmyj · #3 03-19-2011, 09:26 AM

The "Secret Service" stamp was a model of Hopkins Allen??

TIMETRIPPER · #4 03-19-2011, 09:35 AM

Looking at the profile I would say it's an H&A. $125 would be tops with a good finish. Ive seen them routinely go for $35-75 in that shape at auctions, if the mechanics are good.
John

gunlovingirl · #5 03-19-2011, 09:50 AM

Doesn't look like a H&A to me. Trigger guard and cylinder looks different.

*Found a pic of a H&A that has been taken apart. After seeing it, I believe you could be right. They look the same. I do know a number of companies made the Secret Service Special. (Should have named the things Saturday Night Special)

cgt4570 · #6 03-19-2011, 09:50 AM

Just another one of the millions of copies of a Smith & Wesson original. Notice how at first glance, the uninformed might think it was a genuine Smith & Wesson?

Citiboy289 · #7 03-19-2011, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the feedback , Just found it interesting , I wondered why it did not have the LOGO for S&W Thanks again

Driftwood Johnson · #8 03-19-2011, 10:21 AM

Howdy

The marking on the barrel rib calls out the caliber the gun is chambered for, not the manufacturer of the gun. Notice the 'ctg' in smaller text. That stands for cartridge and was the way calibers were often called out. I'm not sure who made that revolver, but it is definitely not a S&W. Frankly, it is lower quality than anything made by S&W. The shape of the cylinder locking slots is one indicator of lower quality.

H Richard · #9 03-19-2011, 10:27 AM

I was at an auction recently and one of these in pretty decent condition was sold for $400. It is amazing how many people out there are willing to spend quite large sums of money without knowing what they are bidding on. I was asked the next day by a friend about the great S&W that was sold at the auction, and he was really surprised when he learned it wasn't a S&W. He had looked at it and didn't realize it.

alanfir · #10 03-21-2011, 05:20 PM

Fred Biffar Company located in Chicago was the wholesaler for these revolvers that were likely produced from 1917-1923. The guns were made by Iver Johnson, Meriden Firearms and Harrington & Richardson. This Secret Service Special looks like a Harrington & Richardson. Alanfir.

walnutred · #11 03-22-2011, 07:38 AM

I don't think it is necessarily a copy of a S&W just because it is a top break. That is like calling a Colt SAA a copy of a Remington just because it is a single action with t a top strap.

nutsforsmiths · #12 03-26-2011, 01:20 AM

It probably is Hopkins & Allen. It looks a lot like this one. Fred Biffar Company also had a patent on the name Secret Service Special.