I have not researched the exact model name or designation yet, so for now I’ll just call her an H&R 32 Short Hammerless. It does have the “smokeless frame” as I’d described in this recent top-break post (see the 3rd reply on it) about another old H&R that followed me home. Anyway, to get back to the purpose of this post...
It occurred to me this evening, that top-break revolvers could possibly be the “leverguns” of the handgun world for the following reasons:
* They are contemporary designs, appearing after the Civil War.
* They were typically chambered for low-powered handgun rounds (at the start, anyway).
* They have a unique action, bridging the gap between percussion rifles/revolvers and much more robust and powerful designs (bolt actions for rifle, large caliber DAs for handguns, and semi-autos for both).
* They both can be associated with the Old West, Cavalry and the Indian Wars.
* When bigger and/or more expensive actions & calibers came along, they both served the poorer members of the population very well for many decades.
* 100+ years later, they are still enjoyed by shooters like us who have discriminating taste, who recognize the virtues of a classic design, are great people to sit by the fire with, and are members of the best dang website on the net.
* Finally, they’re neat to collect and a hoot to shoot!
Well, maybe I missed a few, but that’s my story – and I’m sticking with it!
Oh, just thought of one more thing… Maybe the reason I’m into collecting inexpensive top-breaks right now is it costs much less than collecting vintage leverguns from the same period. (Yup, that’s it!)
Tight groups all,
Old No7
I guess I'm just waiting to have some change in the pocket and see those at the same time. Then I'll know it was meant to be. Plus finding brass for either one is difficult to say the least.
