H&R 922 from the early 30's

[CasualObserver]

Haven’t posted much the last few years given I’ve moved out of state and have been trying to shift more toward shooting my collection rather then expanding it. But winters are long in Vermont and the shooting range has been snow covered for 100+ days straight leaving me with nothing to do but expand the collection anyway (logical, right?). Lately I’ve gotten into the H&R 922 revolvers. I’m sure these were the type of utilitarian firearms found in every hardware store and five & dime across the country when they came out at $8.25. The fact they can still be found in very good condition and well priced (these two were both solidly between 150 and 200 even with tax, fees, and shipping) makes them that much more appealing to the cheapskate in me. Not much info or H&R reference stuff out there for a lot of what they produced, though the late Bill Goforth did put together a book: H&R Arms Co. 1871-1986. I’m sure I will get a copy once I get past paying close to what I paid for one of these examples for a copy of the book. Anyway, thought I’d share these two examples. The one with the saw handle is best I can tell a 1930 1st model, 1st variation. The other is a 1st model, 2nd variation probably made in 1931 based on the SN. Not only are the grips different on the second variation, but it has the “patent applied for” improved safety rim cylinder. It also still has some gold in the barrel markings still when examined closely. I’ve seen this referenced somewhere as the gold line model as the front sight and the filled barrel markings was supposed to be real gold or gold plate though that might just be a moniker. For me at least, these are nice enough to show off, but used enough to take out and shoot. Hoping some others have some they want to show off.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Don't have any revolvers, but H&R made a ton of flare guns of all sorts too. It's interesting to compare the shape of the grip handle on your revolvers to some of the flare guns. H&R seemed to have unique designs when it comes to the grips & frame. These'uns are pretty small, they made some monsters too...

 

[mawkie]

Nice, thanks for sharing!
I'm constantly perplexed by H&R. They proved that they could build first rate arms like the M1 Garand, M14 and M12. I love my M1A built on H&R parts and my M12 which is every bit as good as a Winnie 52. Only now are M12s starting to bring the coin they should have all along. I still think they're selling below what they should. But they positioned themselves closer to the bottom of the market for so many of their handguns and sporting arms. Maybe it was too crowded near the upper end of the market?

 

[CasualObserver]

Don't have any revolvers, but H&R made a ton of flare guns of all sorts too. It's interesting to compare the shape of the grip handle on your revolvers to some of the flare guns. H&R seemed to have unique designs when it comes to the grips & frame. These'uns are pretty small, they made some monsters too...

That is interesting. I had no idea they made flare guns, much less followed similar designs. I looked at some more pics on the internet and it seems the frames/grips were very much the same in many cases. I saw some others with what I believed was called the H&R birds head frame as well on both flare guns and 22 pistols.

 

[CasualObserver]

Nice, thanks for sharing!
I'm constantly perplexed by H&R. They proved that they could build first rate arms like the M1 Garand, M14 and M12. I love my M1A built on H&R parts and my M12 which is every bit as good as a Winnie 52. Only now are M12s starting to bring the coin they should have all along. I still think they're selling below what they should. But they positioned themselves closer to the bottom of the market for so many of their handguns and sporting arms. Maybe it was too crowded near the upper end of the market?

Got me. Maybe if I get Goforth's book it will provide some insight. My H&R Garand is on par or better then any of my other post war manufactured examples as well in my experience. Of course it cost me the same as the others from CMP The 922 was sort of a low end 22 even for H&R it seems at the time. At the same time they marketed a top break model (I've seen it as the 999, Target, and Sportsman) for a premium over the 922. You might be right though. They might have just been targeting the lower end and it worked (since they managed to keep selling them for quite a few years)

 

[Buster Brown]

I had one of the 929 side kicks with the slab side barrel. Didn't seem nearly as nice as those probably because of the plastic grips. It was a neat revolver but that sob would spit lead at me because the timing wasn't great. Wasn't fun to shoot wearing short sleeves.

 

[calicojack]

I have one just like yours. I used to shoot it all the time when I was in high school and college.

 

[calicojack]

OBTW - $8.25 in 1930 is $133.73 in today's dollars (course check back next week, that will change )

 

[Biggfoot44]

H&R produced product for their intended market niche .

H&R ( and Iver Johnson ) aimed to be solid quality utility guns . Ie meets intended purposes , better quality than the really cheap guns , but value priced below Colt or S&W .

In modern context , H&R and IJ were the Mossberg Shotguns of the revolver world .

 

[smokedog]

I have one in the safe somewhere I had forgotten about until now.
Decent little utility pistol and I think I have the leather holster with mine or at least the one that came with it at purchase that works..

 

[python]

Here's an H&R "22 Special" circa 1935. The company built quality guns to a price, but they weren't "cheap" guns. This one has beautiful bluing, locks up tight, and is a numbers matching gun. It's also pretty accurate with its rudimentary sights. A really fun shooter.

 

[TLL]

I have 922 marked Trapper on top of the barrel.

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[CasualObserver]

Here's an H&R "22 Special" circa 1935. The company built quality guns to a price, but they weren't "cheap" guns. This one has beautiful bluing, locks up tight, and is a numbers matching gun. It's also pretty accurate with its rudimentary sights. A really fun shooter.

Nice example of one with a "Bird's Head" frame. The Top Break ones are sorta like the 922 model as well it seems. Sold for a lot of years with lots of variations and different names... Special, Sportsman, 999, ect. A nice older one like you have is on my wish list. Thx for sharing.

 

[Rambler]

Despite having the birds head grip frame, they seem to always be found with big blocky grips. I would like to find a set of birds head grips if they exist.

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[TLL]

Mine is not a 922. Trapper Model on the frame. Skinny barrel 7 shot.

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