Hopefully an answer to an old thread.
H&R 922 Information
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MODEL 922 - FIRST MODEL
DOUBLE ACTION
LARGE SOLID FRAME
22 RIMFIRE CALIBER - made: 1927-1937
9 shot cylinder capacity, pull pin cylinder release, blue finish, 6 inch octagon barrel, two piece over size walnut grips saw handle shaped, marked with company name and address on top of barrel, right side of barrel H&R 922 and caliber on left side of barrel.
First Variation 1927-1930
serial number range 119600-145000 (*estimate)
Second Variation 1931
DIFFERENCE: new grip shape (saw handle shape eliminated)
serial number range 145000*-160000*(estimate)
Third Variation 1932 -1937
DIFFERENCE: new safety cylinder
serial number range 160000*-171000*(estimate)
VALUE: 100%=$205 60%=$75
add 40% premium for 1st Variation and 20% premium for 2nd and 3rd Variations
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MODEL 922 - SECOND MODEL
DOUBLE ACTION
LARGE SOLID FRAME
22 RIMFIRE CALIBER (birds head grip frame) - made: 1938-1952
9 shot cylinder capacity, pull pin cylinder release, blue finish, 6 inch octagon barrel, one piece over size walnut grips saw handle shaped, also may be found with one piece plastic grips. Marked with company name and address on top of barrel, right side of barrel H&R 922 and caliber on left side of barrel.
First Variation 1938 -1939 DIFFERENCE; new grip frame and round barrel
serial number range 171000*-192000*(estimate)
Second Variation 1940 -1947
DIFFERENCE; same as 4th variation except letter code prefix to serial number A thru H
Third Variation 1948 -1949
DIFFERENCE; a new barrel length, serial number letter codes I and J
Fourth Variation 1949 -1952
DIFFERENCE; all-in-one cartridge extraction system, serial number letter codes J thru M
Fifth Variation 1952 models for M922 Camper and M922 Bantam weight
VALUE: 100%=$195 60%=$55
add 20% premium for 1st & 2nd Variations
>> All Guns made before 1940 <<<
When looking for parts for this gun tell the supplier it is a pre 1940 model.
This should have the birds head grip frame called "RICE FRAME" by collectors and some people even call it the second model 922.
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hope this helps somebody
ps: the cylinder should spin freely clock-wise only in the hammer down and half cocked condition.
when the hammer is fully cocked the cylinder should lockup in line with the barrel bore.
for the person that has a gunsmith that will not return an unsafe firearm. I say to you, Ive never heard of a law like that in any state and I would find a different gunsmith.