H&R Sportsman 22 LR

[b.goforth]

H&R used the "Y" letter code in 1962

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN SECOND MODEL (NEW FRAME)-----------1953-1972
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches, Adjustable Sights
VALUE: NIB:=$425, 95%=$365, 60%=$195

MODEL 999 SILVER SPORTSMAN----------------------------1963-1966
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Chrome Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches only, serial number letter codes Z, AA, AB only
VALUE: (very seldom seen) 100%=$450 60%=$325

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN THIRD MODEL
(TRANSFER BAR IGNITION)--------------------------------------1973-1986
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 4 & 6 inches (4 inch not added until 1979, Adjustable Sights. In 1979 Only the Model name was advertised as Model 999 Automatic-Ejecting and it was offered in that year only in 32 S&W Long caliber, 6 shot.
VALUE: NIB:=$425, 95%=$350, 60%=$175

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN I OF 999 (TRANSFER BAR IGNITION)------1979-1986
Engraved with Fitted Wood Case, Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches, Adjustable Sights. VALUE: Collector value only if unfired, with all original tags, manuals, commemorative medallion, wooden presentation case and cardboard box; 100%=$700+ if in other than described condition it is valued as the Model 999 3rd Model plus 20% premium for engraving.

bill

[lcreale]

I just inherited a H&R Sportsman .22 serial # S 10264. I'm quite new to guns and I'm trying to get as much information on it as possible like when it was made how much it's worth whether it is rim-fire or center-fire. Can anyone help out?

[b.goforth]

first i need to know if this is a sportsman model 999 double action or a sportsmans model 199 single action. H&R used the S letter code in 1956 on the 999 double action but they also used it on some early production of the single action also (1932 to 1935 era). on these pre1940 models the "S" letter code was used to denote the single action models and "D" was used to denote the double action. the same frame was used for both models.

bill

[lcreale]

first i need to know if this is a sportsman model 999 double action or a sportsmans model 199 single action.

It is the single action.

[b.goforth]

this is the model 199;

SPORTSMAN SINGLE ACTION MODEL 199
LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK .--------------------------------------1932-1951
Large frame single action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (round heavy rib); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights, front adjustable for elevation, rear adjustable for windage only; Finger rest trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape); top of barrel marked with company name and Address, left side of barrel marked in two lines; “H & R SPORTSMAN SINGLE ACTION” right side of barrel marked “22 LONG RIFLE CTGE.” Serial numbered in series from 01 up and early production will have S letter code denoting single action.
First Variation; heavy ribbed barrel with non-adjustable front sight----OCT. 1932-APRIL 1933
Second Variation; oval shaped barrel with flat top, fully adjustable sights---MAY 1933-????
Third Variation; very small lettering on cylinder patent date------------????-1936
Fourth Variation; firing pin moved to the hammer----------1937-1941
Fifth Variation; limited production 1951=J101-J148, 1950=K101-K265, 1951=L111-L112-----1949-1951
VALUE: : 100%=$495 60%=$225 Add 15% premium fir 1st Variation; 10% premium for 5th Variation

this revolver was most likely manufactured in 1933 to 1935 era.

bill

[Hamm]

Hello all. I have a double action model 999 with a serial number that starts with "HG". From what I've read so far it's probably not that old. Could anyone tell me what year it was manufactured? Thanks.

[b.goforth]

this model 999 was made by one of the latter companies H&R 1871.LLC.

they use the letter code 'HG' in 1993. the 30th edition list them at 100%=$230 down to 60%=$90, which i feel is about $50 to low.

bill

[Hamm]

Thanks Bill!

[levirem870]

Hi all got a model 999 ser# K2761
I just purchased this revolver and use it for trapping paid $75.00 for it any idea what year it was built and it"s worth is? Good condition.Thanks

[b.goforth]

H&R used the K letter code in 1950

SPORTSMAN DOUBLE ACTION MODEL 999
LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK . -----------------------------------1932-1952
Large frame double action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds, 22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF) cylinder capacity 7 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (ribbed); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights: rear adjustable for windage only, Three different front sights used, full Blade, Partridge type & Partridge type pinned to barrel top rib, all non-adjustable; Finger rest
trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape, Rice frame); frame mounted firing pin, hammer face is flat. Cylinder release is long pivoting lever on right side of frame (there are two different version of this). Serial numbered in its own series from 01 up to at least 89761 by the end of 1939. Starting in 1940 letter codes were used. Early production until about 1933 the letter code “D” was used to denote double action
First Variation; round heavy weight ribbed barrel with Blade non-adjustable front sight ---1932- to before April 18,1933
Second Variation; adjustable front sight------1933 (after 4-18-1933)-
Third Variation; firing pin moved to hammer--------------------1934
Fourth Variation; three inch barrel was offered----------------1935
Fifth Variation; two patent dates marked on cylinder (before there was only one)--1936 (after 3-17)-1937
Sixth Variation; top of barrel markings moved to right side of barrel-----1937-1939
Seventh Variation; 22 WFR caliber dropped, 3 inch barrel dropped------1940-1941
Eight Variation; one piece over size plastic grips are standard, limited production during WWII years------1942-1952
VALUE: 100%=$425 60%=$195 Add 15% premium for 1st Variation; %0% for 22WRF caliber; 30% for 3” barrel (scarce) (See Post 1952 Section for Models 2 & 3)

bill

[levirem870]

Thanks for all the info!!!

[Boodro]

Bill,

You seem to be the H&R answer man. The # on my H&R Sportsman is AY010149. I have reviewed the previous posts but do not see an AY anywhere. Thanks so much. bud

[jamesjo]

Boodro,
AY prefix = 1982 manufacture.

[Boodro]

Thank you for the quick response.

[Elmo1970]

I think I have a third model but can't figure out the year from the posts.

Ran out of fingers and toes!

It's a 999 DA, AF prefix on the serial.

Any help would be appreciated, just got this gun today to fix it and he told me to keep it since I liked it so much (thanks Dad)! Was looking at a Ruger semi .22 MkIII or something but the little bugger struck my fancy.

It wasn't working correctly (hammer would not stay back when pulled back single action style), there is a plastic piece broken in the handle, removed it and now the gun works? Is this ok or should I replace it (found it through search on this site from Numrich as a mainspring assembly)? Figured it was there for something lol...

Thanks for any help, glad I found this forum.

[jamesjo]

Elmo,
AF = 1969 manufacture.
I believe you can also purchase a mainspring assy, with a steel head, as opposed to the plastic head. I was going to do this on a couple of my revolvers that were broken. Going with the steel replacement seemed like the thing to do.
BUT, a friend who is a real H&R expert suggested that I replace my parts with the same that came out of it. So this is what I did.

[Elmo1970]

Originally Posted by jamesjo

Elmo,
AF = 1969 manufacture.
I believe you can also purchase a mainspring assy, with a steel head, as opposed to the plastic head. I was going to do this on a couple of my revolvers that were broken. Going with the steel replacement seemed like the thing to do.
BUT, a friend who is a real H&R expert suggested that I replace my parts with the same that came out of it. So this is what I did.

I ordered a steel one off of Ebay last night, they look identical and I saw on some more forums that they worked after changing them out. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the info!

[cbaldaia]

Several years ago I inherited my Father's gun, which is also the gun that I learned to shoot with. Besides sentimental value, I have been curious about the guns monetary value and aproximate date of manufacture. It looks like I may have found the correct forum here to get get some answers!?!

It is an H & R Sportsman 22 LR. Serial number D7968 (located on front of grip). Patent number is located on cylinder. Blue finish, top break, 9 shot. Manufacturer name and address located on top of barrel. Side of barrel is engraved " 22 LONG RIFLE CTG." Other side of barrel is "H & R SPORTSMAN".

Any information regarding this gun would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Carrie

[Elmo1970]

Originally Posted by Elmo1970

I ordered a steel one off of Ebay last night, they look identical and I saw on some more forums that they worked after changing them out. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the info!

Steel head worked fine, FYI.

[b.goforth]

this is either one of the earliest model 999 manufactured after october 1932 or one made in 1943. if made in 1943 it would be kinda rare being of war time production for the civilian market.

comparing it to the post i made on 11-17-09 (above) your should be able to figure out just when it was made.

elmo,
gald you found the steel head works

bill

[wehiii]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum but have of late become interested in H & R's. I am looking forward to the upcoming book and wonder if there is any update on when it will be available.

I recently acquired a Single Action Sportsman which I have determined to be a Fourth Variation as described in the November 2009 post regarding these revolvers. It has the firing pin on the hammer and the small lettering on the cylinder. It is Sn S 19993 and is in nearly new condition. What is unusual is that there is an "X" just to the left of the S prefix. The Sn was clearly applied before bluing and the X was done after bluing with a small surrounding area of blue loss. The upper arms of the X are slightly smaller than the lower. Having owned Colts with factory repairs etc which are marked with various code letters I wondered if this might be a factory repair or reblue. The only hint that this might have been refinished are several small dings which are fully blued just forward of the cylinder on the left barrel flat, but against a refinish is essentially perfect etching of the barrel legend.

I apologize for the length of this post but look forward to a reply. Also is data for the book still being collected on the various models?

Regards
Bill

[b.goforth]

the extra lettering is so far unknown but there is a very good chance they mean some kind of factory repairs or refinishing. just don't know for now.

laa the illustration seem to be set for this model but if you have pictures they can be sent to my e-mail address goforth2@peoplepc.com you never know what might be needed in the future.

as of right now the H&R book is scheduled for a may 2010 printing, but that could change
bill

[wehiii]

Bill,

Thank you so much for the reply. I will try to get some pictures and data to you shortly. Will you be having much coverage on the USRA model in your upcoming book? This model is really interesting and no two seem to be alike.

Best regards,

Bill

[b.goforth]

it is covered but from the view point of what is in the catalogs. however i do say that each one seems to be hand built. which is not true of the very early one but most seem to have made at least one trip back to the factory for up grading.

bill

[JOHNS]

I have a H&R sportsman 22LR that I am not sure what year it was made or it value. It has the SN is AS 33XX.