This specific designation refers to firearms manufactured by the Harrington & Richardson Arms Company in the year 1908. The company, established in 1871, was known for producing a variety of affordable and reliable firearms, including revolvers, shotguns, and single-shot rifles. A firearm bearing this date stamp would likely be a top-break revolver, a design for which the company was particularly well-known during this period. These revolvers were typically chambered in small calibers like .22 Short, .22 Long, .32 S&W, and .38 S&W, and marketed towards civilians for self-defense, target shooting, and small game hunting.
Firearms produced in 1908 represent a specific point in the company’s history, before significant changes in firearm technology and manufacturing. Studying these firearms can provide valuable insights into the design and manufacturing practices of the era, as well as the social context surrounding firearm ownership and use. Given the company’s focus on affordability, these firearms were likely widely accessible to the general public, making them a common presence in American households during this period. Their historical significance lies in their representation of everyday firearm technology of the early 20th century.
