H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal

itech · 10-01-2012, 07:02 PM

A good friend has an old H&R double barrel with side hammers. It mimics a small 410 shotgun.The forend and wrist area have checkering. The only markings are the caliber 44 on the top flat between the barrels, a patent date of "00 which I assume to be 1900, and the H&R logo on the left lock plate. The barrels are both in very good shape and smooth bore. It locks up tight. The left barrel seems to be "choked " tighter than the right. A 44 mag round will chamber in both barrels. Was this gun made to shoot some kind of an early snake shot load or am I way off base on this guess. My search in all of my books shows no reference to anything close to this weapon. Any help identifying and pricing it would be appreciated.

Bill DeShivs · 10-01-2012, 08:41 PM

The .410 shotshell was developed from the .44 XL shot cartridge. This is what your gun is chambered for. Keep the .44 magnum far, far away from it!

RJay · 10-01-2012, 09:51 PM

Bill hit it directly on the head. Chambered for the 44XL Which I believe is the direct forerunner of the 410. The 44XL was a brass cartridge 1 9/16 long. As the .410 was derived from the 44XL. it itself was derived from the .44 caliber rifle cartridge. As stated, the shotgun frame of the 44XL is not strong enough for a center fire solid cartridge. There have been severals post on the Xl, you might try the forums search feature to pull them up.Both Bill Goforth and Jim Hauff posted some very good information on these guns.

itech · 10-02-2012, 04:52 AM

thanks very much to both Bill DeShivs and RJay for your help. I will forward the info to my friend - especially the warning about the 44mag ammo never being used. My research will continue thanks to both of your tips. P.S. I found a page in my blue book after my original posting that calls it a Small Bore double Barrel Hammer gun but makes no mention of the 44 chambering. Thanks again -
itech

Alpo · 10-02-2012, 08:45 AM

10-01-2012, 07:02 PM	#1
itech Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 2	H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal A good friend has an old H&R double barrel with side hammers. It mimics a small 410 shotgun.The forend and wrist area have checkering. The only markings are the caliber 44 on the top flat between the barrels, a patent date of "00 which I assume to be 1900, and the H&R logo on the left lock plate. The barrels are both in very good shape and smooth bore. It locks up tight. The left barrel seems to be "choked " tighter than the right. A 44 mag round will chamber in both barrels. Was this gun made to shoot some kind of an early snake shot load or am I way off base on this guess. My search in all of my books shows no reference to anything close to this weapon. Any help identifying and pricing it would be appreciated. -->

10-01-2012, 08:41 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,467	Re: H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal The .410 shotshell was developed from the .44 XL shot cartridge. This is what your gun is chambered for. Keep the .44 magnum far, far away from it! __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

10-01-2012, 09:51 PM	#3
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,485	Re: H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal Bill hit it directly on the head. Chambered for the 44XL Which I believe is the direct forerunner of the 410. The 44XL was a brass cartridge 1 9/16 long. As the .410 was derived from the 44XL. it itself was derived from the .44 caliber rifle cartridge. As stated, the shotgun frame of the 44XL is not strong enough for a center fire solid cartridge. There have been severals post on the Xl, you might try the forums search feature to pull them up.Both Bill Goforth and Jim Hauff posted some very good information on these guns. __________________ RonJames Last edited by RJay; 10-01-2012 at 09:55 PM..

10-02-2012, 04:52 AM	#4
itech Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 2	Re: H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal thanks very much to both Bill DeShivs and RJay for your help. I will forward the info to my friend - especially the warning about the 44mag ammo never being used. My research will continue thanks to both of your tips. P.S. I found a page in my blue book after my original posting that calls it a Small Bore double Barrel Hammer gun but makes no mention of the 44 chambering. Thanks again - itech

10-02-2012, 08:45 AM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: H&R double barrel hammer gun marked 44 cal . Attached Images __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.