Harrington & Richardson Aetna No. 2
Harrington & Richardson · Revolver · Discontinued · 1876
Also known as: Aetna No. 2, H&R Aetna No. 2, Aetna Model 2 1/2
Overview
The Harrington & Richardson Aetna No. 2 is a single-action, spur-trigger pocket revolver chambered in .32 rimfire, produced by Harrington & Richardson of Worcester, Massachusetts in the late 19th century. Built on a small solid frame with a five-shot cylinder, an exposed hammer and a short octagonal barrel of about 2.5 inches, it was factory nickel plated and fitted with hard-rubber (gutta-percha) grips. The Aetna was one of the inexpensive concealable 'suicide special' revolvers sold under a trade name for personal protection, marked simply 'AETNA' on the top of the frame.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 255 g (9.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Effective Range | 15 m (16 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Nickel Plated |
Calibers
- .32 Long Rimfire · primary — also known as .32 rimfire, .32 RF, .32 Long RF
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Features: Spur Trigger, Single Action, Five Shot Cylinder, Octagonal Barrel, Exposed Hammer, Blade Front Sight
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market
Production
Production years: c.1876-1890
Inexpensive trade-name pocket revolver produced in quantity for the civilian self-defense market; exact totals unrecorded
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
Sold under the 'Aetna' trade name in graduated sizes: the No. 1 in .22 rimfire, the No. 2 in .32 rimfire and the No. 3 in .38 rimfire. Many examples carry no serial number, only the 'AETNA' marking and a barrel-length stamp. The Aetna name was also used by Aetna Arms Co. of New York, but the H&R-made guns are the more commonly encountered.
Background
The Aetna was one of the many low-cost 'suicide special' pocket revolvers that flooded the American market after the Rollin White cylinder patent expired in 1869. Harrington & Richardson, like rivals Hopkins & Allen and Forehand & Wadsworth, turned out these cheap nickel-plated rimfire revolvers under colorful trade names aimed at buyers wanting an affordable concealable arm.