Calling all top break collectors.............

[hightime]

A few years ago I noticed that little top breaks from the 1800's and early 1900's were quite cheap, at least in my mind. I was getting good guns for just over a hundred bucks. I refused to give three hundred for a nice Lemon Squeezer. I wish I had it now. I only managed to collect three originals; All 32 short, a mint Hopkins and Allen, a mint Iver Johnson and med. Smith and Wesson. I also have a Beretta Laramie a 45 Colt Uberti rep. on a 1878 New Model Three Target.
If you show me yours, I'll show you mine.

Owen

[pworley1]

check out my avatar. 38 s&w

[John Allen]

I have quite a few top breaks myself. The smith1 1/2 is my favorite.

[hightime]

108798108799108797I just noticed an Smith and Wesson Lemon Squeezer at Cabellas for $900. I might be done buying if that's the trend.

[dtknowles]

I will try to post pictures of all mine soon, Look at my avatar for my three double action Smiths, 32, 38, and 44. I have two single action Smiths, 32 and 38. I have a Merwin and Hulbert in 38 but of course it is not a top break but I could not resist the temptation.

Tim

[hightime]

There are two Merwins at a Idaho Cabellas. Cool guns!

[dtknowles]

There are two Merwins at a Idaho Cabellas. Cool guns!

I would like a Merwin in 44 but they are pretty high dollar.

Tim

[dtknowles]

My top breaks plus the Merwin Hulbert 38
108850
108853
108854
108855
108856
108857
These were in my safe, the 44 is out in the shop and will have to wait for another day.

Tim

[hightime]

Tim, I couldn't look at your pictures.

[dtknowles]

Tim, I couldn't look at your pictures.

See if I have fixed it for you.

Tim

[dtknowles]

If anyone can help with a set of original or good reproduction grips for the spur trigger .32 S&W I would be interested.

Tim

[richhodg66]

I'm not a collector, but I like top breaks.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?233679-Iver-Johnson-top-break-32

[patrick_ford]

I have an Uberti Schofield with a 7" barrel. It shoots like a laser beam. I would like to get some nice stag grips for it eventually.

[scaevola]

Top Breaks are fun but I've only got a couple. I picked up this one, along with its story, several years ago. A guy I worked with told me he had this old pistol for sale that had belonged to his father. We talked about it for a while ... He told me his father worked as a technician for the health department in Nye County and some times had to do the health inspections at the brothels. Because that job included a badge he had to be armed. This old H&R revolver was the cheapest his father could find for sale in Tonopah. I didn't pay for the story but it's still fun to tell people I have the "Brothel Inspector's Revolver"

Lousy Picture:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/ndslvn/CandR/ResizedImage_1351388611466_zps224737ce.jpg


He told me a lot of stories about his father; he sounded like a crazy and fun guy -- not at all what you'd want in a civil servant.

[Fergie]

With the reenacting we used to do, I've got three top breaks, but only one of them is a real shooter...the S&W. The Iver Johsnon and H&R don't lock up too well, but are good for blanks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/018_zpscf7755d1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/018_zpscf7755d1.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/015-1_zpsed3ea16e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/015-1_zpsed3ea16e.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/023_zps6191c585.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/023_zps6191c585.jpg.html)

And then the Webley Mark IV that I found a few years back. Still chambered in .455 and locks up well. Even found a few boxes of original .455 with it. Traced the markings to the Royal Horse Artillery, 1st Battery.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/webley/003_zps6e693d82.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/webley/003_zps6e693d82.jpg.html)

And my new favorite is an H&R Sportsman 999 in mint condition.

[Outpost75]

110594 My Webley is "shaved" to .45 ACP, otherwise I couldn't have gotten it so cheap.
110605 It is marked as being formerly of the Queensland Police.

[tomsp8]

Just picked this one up from a co worker, was his fathers. It is a 3rd model .32 Iver Johnson hammerless. Serial number is B5460. Posted a thread on it hoping for someone knowledgeable to help with year of production. The timing and lockup are poor, any suggestions?111161111162

[trapper9260]

I have a 22lr that is made by H&R Sportsman I have some people want to get it from me but I told them it is not for sale.

[Fergie]

I have a 22lr that is made by H&R Sportsman I have some people want to get it from me but I told them it is not for sale.

Something like this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR1_zpsd3099580.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR1_zpsd3099580.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR2_zpsaef4b782.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR2_zpsaef4b782.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR3_zps34a03049.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR3_zps34a03049.jpg.html)

[RED333]

Something like this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR1_zpsd3099580.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR1_zpsd3099580.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR2_zpsaef4b782.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR2_zpsaef4b782.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/HR3_zps34a03049.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bergferg/media/HR3_zps34a03049.jpg.html)

Yep, the very one I have.

[Fergie]

Yep, the very one I have.

Well, I had the darn thing out today and it stopped working. Wouldn't cock and I could see the hammer block moving around. Turned it upside down and a small part fell out.

Got home and started taking it apart and found that the lifter had broke.

Pretty sure this is the part I need:
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/276720B.htm

But, in my searching, everyone seems to be out of that particular part. I'm new to gunsmithing and parts replacements so I'm not sure where I should look from here.

[Wayne Smith]

Fergie, do you have the part? Do you have a set of numbered drills, a drill press, a piece of steel, and a couple of nice files?? That may be your best shot unless www.jackfirstgun has one.

[Fergie]

Fergie, do you have the part? Do you have a set of numbered drills, a drill press, a piece of steel, and a couple of nice files?? That may be your best shot unless www.jackfirstgun (http://www.jackfirstgun) has one.

I'm in the midst of disassembly of the pistol now. Took a break since I need to get a smaller drift.

I'll try Jacks tomorrow morning, and hope they have the part...otherwise I'll be making my own I suppose...or looking for a parts gun.