Curious Relics #070: In The Hall with The Revolver – H&R 733 Guardsman
Sam.S 08.09.23
Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! In our previous topic, we embarked on a journey through the H&R Young America revolver. This time, we begin our exploration with a revolver that has quietly resided in my collection for less than a year now. Join me as we delve into the nuances and allure of the Harrington & Richardson 733 Guardsman, a classic revolver that exudes a charm all its own. Get a clue and let’s jump right in!
…It’s in the movie Clue (1985). Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Harrington & Richardson Content in Curious Relics:
- Curious Relics #066: Saturday Night Nostalgia – The H&R Young America
- Curious Relics #067: Is That a Youth Model? – The H&R Young America Part II
- Curious Relics #068: Not so Young Anymore – H&R Young America Part III
- Curious Relics #069: High Hopes – H&R Young America Part IV
Welcome to our recurring series of “Curious Relics.” Here, we want to share all of our experiences, knowledge, misadventures, and passion for older firearms that one might categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that is at least 50 years old according to the ATF. Hopefully along the way you can garner a greater appreciation for older firearms like we do, and simultaneously you can teach us things as well through sharing your own expertise and thoughts in the Comments. Understanding the firearms of old, their importance, and their development which lead to many of the arms we now cherish today is incredibly fascinating and we hope you enjoy what we have to share, too!
History Abridged: H&R 733 Guardsman
In the late 1950s, the Harrington & Richardson Arms Company took it upon itself to offer what no other company was at the time: an affordable revolver with a solid frame and swing-out cylinder in a centerfire caliber. This aligned with H&R’s reputation for making reasonably priced quality revolvers, but the new model would incorporate features not typical among lower-cost handguns. Initially named the “Sidekick” in concept, the final product launched as the Model 732 Guardsman. The .22 caliber version was referred to as the Sidekick in H&R materials.
The Model 732 was chambered for .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long ammo. It featured a six-shot capacity and came in 2.5-inch and 4-inch barrel lengths. The revolver had modern sights for the time and a centrepin to release the cylinder. H&R advertised the all-steel construction with a richly finished “crown-lustre” blueing on metal parts. Customers interested in a nickel finish didn’t have to wait long, as H&R rolled out the chrome-plated Model 733 Guardsman in 1958 alongside the blued 732.
The earliest version of the Model 733 sported a 2.5-inch barrel and distinctive brown “Cling-Fast” plastic grips. In 1967 the chrome finish was replaced with an “electroless” nickel plating, likely a cost-saving measure marketed as an upgrade. Around 1973, H&R added a transfer bar safety to the 732 and 733, bringing them in line with modern revolver safety standards. When the 1980s arrived, a customized wood grip option was made available for the first time on the 733 Guardsman.
The original brown “Tenite” “Cling-Fast” grips were eventually changed to black “Cycolac” two-piece grips. Early versions of the 4-inch barrel Model 732 featured a key lock similar to some Smith & Wesson revolvers, quite advanced for the time. The 4-inch barrel option on the Guardsman was discontinued in 1981 as preferences shifted to shorter barrels. Despite not gaining adoption among police forces, the 733 Guardsman made a memorable appearance as the revolver used in the 1985 comedy mystery film Clue, standing in for the classic pepperbox pistol from the board game of the same name.
Image courtesy of IMFDB.org, uploaded by Smokey [CC BY-SA 3.0] (https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/File:Clue-rev2.jpg)
The Model 733 Guardsman was designed to be an affordable, well-made revolver for personal defense. The swing-out cylinder provided fast reloading, and the transfer bar safety prevented accidental discharge if the hammer was struck. The nickel finish resisted corrosion and was easy to maintain.
End of Part One: H&R 733 Guardsman
The Harrington & Richardson factory ceased production of all its firearms, including the Guardsman, in 1986 when the company went out of business and the manufacturing facilities were closed down. The Model 733 Guardsman’s nearly 30-year run came to an end along with the company itself. But the revolver left behind a legacy as an innovator that brought uncommon features to the budget-priced handgun market. The Guardsman’s presence in films and collections keeps its memory alive as a classic of American firearms ingenuity.
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics segment informed as well as entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We did not just realize how guns were supposed to look and function. It was a long and tedious process that has shaped the world we live in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm out there that you feel does not get much notoriety? What should our next Curious Relics topic cover? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
