Anyone know anything about this gun?

[Oldnoob]

I just stop by a local gun shop and saw a very interesting revolver (for me) it label as Howard Arms 38cal and it's hammerless. I never hear howard arms before and couldn't find any information online. I always want a break top revolver and this one isn't expansive at all. It looks like in very good condition, no rust, no wear mark, as clean as a new gun can be. But even the gun smith in the shop don't know much about them.

It looks a lot like this:



but without the hammer and rust.

Anyone know anything about them? should I get it?

[redcliff]

"Howard Arms was a trade name used by Sears Roebuck on revolvers made by their subsidiary company, Meriden Firearms Co., from about 1905 to 1915. The only "model" designation would be the caliber, .38 or .32."

[EtOH]

Wow, a Sears revolver. They really do have everything.

[slick_711]

Sears sold guns till like the 60s I think (before my time). They had many in house proprietary brands that were made for / sold by them as well. JC Higgins is one of the more common ones that I've seen.

[EOD3]

Sears sold handguns until at least 72. Wish I still had it... Ruger .357

[ivanimal]

My first shotgun and rifle were Sears sales on Army and Mission in SF. I dont remember seeing handguns.

[AJAX22]

They can still shoot, many of them have timing issues and shave a bit of lead so don't get your hand in front of the gap (good advice with any revolver but particularly with these.)

I've had a half dozen or so of these over the years, many can be found that are actually antique (pre 1898)

they are not particularly interesting, but they can be good bellyguns.

the springs have a tendancy to wear out however so be 100% sure it is functional before you pick it up. any work you need to get done on it will cost more than the gun.

these typically sell for less than 100 out the door

[IH8CALAWS]

looks just like my Owl Head hammerless Iverjohnson .32 s&w.

[dfletcher]

I recall Sears selling shotguns and rifles until at least 1980, I worked in one of their stores for a few months in 1980 while going to college in southern Illinois. Pretty sure it was in Carbondale - the college that is, the alcohol and such at the time has made the memory a bit imprecise.

[cactuspete]

I have a friend who has two dead ringers for that gun (with some parts being identical) though they were made by Andrew Fryberg & Co., Hopkington, MA, patented 1903.

[happy_gunner]

My first shotgun and rifle were Sears sales on Army and Mission in SF. I dont remember seeing handguns.

born and rise in SF, didn't even know there was a Sears here before.

[Moonclip]

Sears also had revolvers made by High Standard and sold under their name. Also Unique of France made some autos for Sears.

[CSACANNONEER]

Many firearms manufacturers made guns for Sears. Winchester, Marlin, Mossberg, High Standard, etc. Any of these as normally cheaper than the exact same gun with the manufacturer's own name on them.

With the gun in question, it is a .38 S&W. This means .38 Special will NOT WORK in it. In case you are unfamilar with .38s, there is a big difference between the two rounds and .38 S&W isn't quite as easy to find. It's not extremely hard to find but, not everyplace carries it.

[Gryff]

With the gun in question, it is a .38 S&W. This means .38 Special will NOT WORK in it. In case you are unfamilar with .38s, there is a big difference between the two rounds and .38 S&W isn't quite as easy to find. It's not extremely hard to find but, not everyplace carries it.

+1

This is a problem that you see with some of the S&W Victory models from World War II. The .38 S&W cartridge is shorter than the current .38 Special.

More info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.380_Revolver

[Moonclip]

Yes, Wal MArt for instance won't have it. I have been wanting a cheap Victory model in .38S&W.