Help Identify grandfathers gun

[Jinkeough]

Please help identify grandfathers gun. He called it his "belly gun".

It's a Top Break, 38 S. & W. CTGE. Serial number from butt of gun is 1680 i 9.

It has fixed sights and barrel is 3 1/8 inches.

Two photos attached (I hope)

I'd like to know any information, especially the age of the gun and model (note the target image on the grip).

He was a WWI vet who became a bootlegger in western New York after the war, then a mortician, then the head of Veterans Affairs for Monroe County, NY. Thanks for all help!

 

[Ruger 13]

Cool history!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

You have to admire a man who can go from bootlegging (aka a life of crime) to running a Federal government office!

Wait..............that sort of sounds familiar.............

Ahhhhhh.............never mind! Staying off the moderators' radar!

I hope you get your answer!!!

 

[Mbrgr1]

I think you will find.....

that it is a Harrington & Richardson safety hammerless, probably 5 shot top break, 1920 ish?


Great history, it would have been an effective "belly gun" (Ouch!) and it would be fun to shoot if tight and right, I shoot that caliber all the time.



This may get moved to the "other firearms" forum as it is not a S&W manufactured gun.

 

[Jinkeough]

Thanks for the positive posts so far! I originally posted in antique guns because it is a top break, but the moderator moved it.
If the barrel is marked 38 S. & W. CTGE, does that make it a Smith and Wesson?

To my fellow posters, I'm a born Texan and a former Navy Intelligence officer……. Small world!

 

[Jinkeough]

Thanks to Mbrgr1

With better light, I found the following on top of the barrel :
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO
WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS U S A

 

[Buick]

You really don't see those old top breaks I. That nice condition much anymore. Congrats on a nice little .38 S&W. Ammunition is still around. You need the short .38, not regular .38 special.

 

[Mbrgr1]

With better light, I found the following on top of the barrel :
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO
WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS U S A

Please see my previous post, it is an H&R "safety hammerless" not a S&W, the confusion comes from the cartridge designation "38 S&W"


Harrington and Richardson made a lot of inexpensive but practical firearms, pistols and rifles, I have quite a few and enjoy them.


Cherish the family history......

 

[A10]

You have a really nice H&R there! What a treasured piece of family history. H&Rs are good quality guns.

Here's mine, in .32. My great uncle used this as his house gun.

 

[desi2358]

Nice little H&R hammerless. I have one of those but it's not nearly as nice looking as yours. Mine has lots of exterior pitting, likely from improper storage at some time in its life. Still in time with a good bore and fun to shoot though!