what is it

[Coyote Kid, SASS#54714]

What is this .38 top break pistol and what's it worth?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Thanks, Coyote Kid

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

Any markings on the barrel top rib?

 

[Dantankerous]

H&R? Forehand and Wadsworth?

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The logo on the grips is H&R.  Value not much.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Either you have to "read" the gun markings to us or show us much closer photos of the top of barrel and rib, where most of the 1900 era pocket pistols were manufacturer marked.    Grips are often interchanged on these old guns....because they were gutta percha and easily broken or chipped.

good luck, GJ

 

[John Kloehr]

3 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

The logo on the grips is H&R.  Value not much.

Beat me to it. Found an example here:

 

https://www.icollector.com/Antique-H-and-R-Top-Break-32-Pistol_i34858459

[Coyote Kid, SASS#54714]

patent dates;

Oct4'87 May4&Aug6'89  Apr2'95  Apr7'96

I don't see a serial number anywhere.

Alright I found it in s.p.fjestad book.

 H&R Automatic Ejecting Second Model Black powder.  Fifth variation

[Three Foot Johnson]

H&R, $100 if it's tight and locks up "in time". The bolt stop on a lot of these older top breaks doesn't lock into a notch in the cylinder, but rather the pawl pushes the cylinder up against bolt stop and holds it in place against the open ended notch. They're usually somewhat loose, even new, and tend to wear relatively rapidly.