Help with H&R 12 Gauge - The Firearms Forum

Niall · 07-03-2011, 04:37 PM

I have a top break H&R that I believe is pretty old. It looks very similar to the "pardner" style that I see on hr1871.com. On the side it says:
PAT FEB 20&27 1900
PAT MAY 14 1901

HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS
WORCESTER MASS USA (There are some other and letters here but I can't make out anything except the last three which are "& 27")

On the top of the barrel is says "12 GA. Choke".

Behind the trigger guard it says "257836".

Can anyone help identify a model and year for this shotgun?
Thank you.

Jim Hauff · 07-04-2011, 09:31 AM

Niall,
Welcome to the forum and the wacky, wonderful world of H&R.
More than likely, you shotgun is the Model 1900 (from the markings) and will have a removable hinge pin. With that serial number, we can guesstimate it was made around 1908 - 1910 - no s/n to year records are available - so guessing based upon estimated production rate since intro in 1900-01.
Check out the two pics below. First one should confirm it is a Model 1900 - with a view of the markings you can't read. Second is a view of the Model 1908 with a fixed hinge pin and snap off fore stock. Your piece may be a 1908, if pin is fixed in place - but with those markings I doubt it.

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Niall · 07-05-2011, 07:47 PM

It is indeed a removable hinge pin and those markings do seem to look like what I can't read on mine. Thanks a lot for the info!

Jim Hauff · 07-05-2011, 08:43 PM

Niall,
Glad to help...you're welcome. Thanks for thanking.

toto3 · 04-14-2012, 11:16 PM

Hello, I thing I have the same gun. It says:
Harrington & Richardson Arms CO. Worcester Mass. U.S.A. Pat Feb 20 & 27 1900. The serial number is 32911.
From what I have read that is probably early 1900's, is that correct?

I can't find any markings regarding the gauge, but looks like a 12. It has a removable pin, but it looks like it was forced out, and I can't get it through the barrel, but it fits through the stock ok. What is supposed to keep it in place? I am going to lightly sand it to get it to go through again, but I don't want it to fall out.

Thanks

07-03-2011, 04:37 PM	#1
Niall Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2	Help with H&R 12 Gauge I have a top break H&R that I believe is pretty old. It looks very similar to the "pardner" style that I see on hr1871.com. On the side it says: PAT FEB 20&27 1900 PAT MAY 14 1901 HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS WORCESTER MASS USA (There are some other and letters here but I can't make out anything except the last three which are "& 27") On the top of the barrel is says "12 GA. Choke". Behind the trigger guard it says "257836". Can anyone help identify a model and year for this shotgun? Thank you. -->

07-04-2011, 09:31 AM	#2
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Help with H&R 12 Gauge Niall, Welcome to the forum and the wacky, wonderful world of H&R. More than likely, you shotgun is the Model 1900 (from the markings) and will have a removable hinge pin. With that serial number, we can guesstimate it was made around 1908 - 1910 - no s/n to year records are available - so guessing based upon estimated production rate since intro in 1900-01. Check out the two pics below. First one should confirm it is a Model 1900 - with a view of the markings you can't read. Second is a view of the Model 1908 with a fixed hinge pin and snap off fore stock. Your piece may be a 1908, if pin is fixed in place - but with those markings I doubt it. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

07-05-2011, 07:47 PM	#3
Niall Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2	Re: Help with H&R 12 Gauge It is indeed a removable hinge pin and those markings do seem to look like what I can't read on mine. Thanks a lot for the info!

07-05-2011, 08:43 PM	#4
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Help with H&R 12 Gauge Niall, Glad to help...you're welcome. Thanks for thanking. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

04-14-2012, 11:16 PM	#5
toto3 Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1	Re: Help with H&R 12 Gauge Hello, I thing I have the same gun. It says: Harrington & Richardson Arms CO. Worcester Mass. U.S.A. Pat Feb 20 & 27 1900. The serial number is 32911. From what I have read that is probably early 1900's, is that correct? I can't find any markings regarding the gauge, but looks like a 12. It has a removable pin, but it looks like it was forced out, and I can't get it through the barrel, but it fits through the stock ok. What is supposed to keep it in place? I am going to lightly sand it to get it to go through again, but I don't want it to fall out. Thanks