Help Interpreting H&R Serial Number

[Zachariah]

I too am very interested in the history of my serial number. I own a H&R 20" single barrel, break action shotgun. The serial number on the gun is: AL347198. I have read some of the posts on here and I am guessing this dates from maybe the 60's? Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks, Zachariah

[Jim Hauff]

'AL' = 1973

[Lowcountry_T]

My grandfather just gave me an H&R .32 cal self-loading automatic. Apparently it belonged to my great-grandfather who bought it sometime in the 1910's. The serial number on it is 16063. My grandfather has had it wrapped up in a pillowcase for years (decades?). Can anyone shed some light on when this may have been made. It looks to be in good shape, butI'm going to take it to a shop and have it checked out when I get back to South Carolina. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Jim Hauff]

The H&R "SELF LOADING" .32 ACP was in production from circa 1914 to 1924 and approx. 34,500 pieces were produced during that time. Assuming production was somewhat even for each year of production (an unlikely assumption but there aren't any records available at this time) your piece would have been made about 1/2 way through the period - so lets say 1919 or there abouts. This gun was fairly expensive at the time - and many were not sold during the production period - they remained in the catalogues up 'til 1940 and were probably sold beyond that date. I've shot two of mine - they work well with round nose FMJ ammo, are fairly accurate and always attract some attention - kind of unique.

[Lowcountry_T]

Thanks Jim. My gun is identical to the picture you posted, though it looks to have a little less wear and tear. My grandfather told me that his dad bought it before he was born (1920), so the 1919 timeframe sounds pretty close. I appreciate your help in identifying this family heirloom. Hopefully it will check out okay and I'll be able to fire it.

[Jim Hauff]

Lowcountry,
You're welcome - glad to help out - and thanks for thanking. Yep, that ones got some wear on it, but it still shoots well - AND I don't have to worry about banging it up at the range - it's prebanged. LOL

[ppoucher]

i need help with my serial number??? it is a .32 h&r s&w L

stamped on the barrel

model 732
32 S&W L
made in usa

stamped under the revolving chamber

H&R inc. gardner mass U.S.A.

serial #AP113354

would like to find out age and value
is in 100%immaculate condition came from family member with about 12 bullets and they stated thats all the ammo left from the original and only box of shells purchased for the gun

thanks to all

[Jim Hauff]

ppoucher,
'AP' = 1976. That makes your Model 732 a 2nd Model (1974-'86). Current RETAIL values
indicate 100% (as new, no marks, grip panels perfect, finish is as it came from factory, unfired) will sell around $185 - $200. Your piece has been fired - it is no longer considered NIB - 98% is more like its grading - value then would be around $160 to $170. This model seems to have been very popular, many were made and they show up regularly in the market.

[Wartpath42]

I recently purchased a H&R model 949 Forty-Niner. I was trying to find out year of Manufacture. The serial number is HK008XXX. I found a site that had up to 1983 and stopped with AK. So Im thinking its fairly new. It says forty-niner on right side of barrel and model 949 on left. H & R Gardner, MA on left above trigger. Thanks for any help.

[Jim Hauff]

Wartpath (interesting play on words, there) -
'HK' indicates production in 1996 - as you surmised it is a fairly NEW, late production gun - made after H&R 1871 was "restarted". As far as I can tell, not too many of the Model 949s were made in that period, so it is somewhat of a curiosity, despite its more recent manufacture.

[F16Loader]

Hoping you could help with another serial number. H&R American Double Action, number under left grip is 272. Any idea on when this one was from? It is one of the second model types; 1905 and on.

Thanks!

[Jim Hauff]

F16Loader,
Well, if it is "truly" a 2nd Model (cartridge stamp on left barrel flat) with that serial number it will be VERY early production, since this model was serial numbered in sequence from initiation. I would guess no less than a couple days from start-up in 1905. Exact date of change over from black powder pieces to smokeless pieces is unknown at this time.
Check the picture below to confirm 2nd Model status.

[F16Loader]

Jim,

Perhaps I am wrong, and it isn't a 2 model. The one in question, now owned by my father in law (73 years old), it was the pistol his grandfather used as a security guard in Chicago.





I'll ask my father in law to confirm if there are any markings on the barrel.

Thanks for the help Jim

[Jim Hauff]

F16,
Thanks for the pics - they always make things EASIER!
You are right, you're wrong!
That piece is a 1st Model: round barrel, trigger guard attached to frame at front with a screw, flat hammer screw, flat recoil shield and no caliber nor manufacturer's name stampings - only stamping on that should be on the top strap: THE AMERICAN DOUBLE ACTION.
In fact it is a 1st Mod. 2nd Variation - the rear trigger guard pin IDs that var.
Your ADA was, most likely, made during the early production (quantity unknown but probably in the few thousands) in 1884-85. Five shot would indicate .38 S&W, 6 shot would indicate .32 S&W or .32 H&R Long cartridges.
It is thought that these guns were "assembly numbered" in batches of up to 9999, then numbering would start over - but since so few of the 1st and 2nd Variations were made and far fewer seen today, it's hard to tell for sure.
You have a fairly rare H&R piece there. I would love to know its history, as I'm sure so would you.
Check attached pics. Note difference in rear pin placement for trigger guard (this was first noticed by a contributor to this site and added to research on these early pieces - indicating 2 variations of the 1st Model.)

[F16Loader]

Thanks for the info Jim. When I called and shared it with my in-laws last night, they were very excited, and thankful for your expertise. The gun was used by my wife's Great-Grandfather in Chicago when he was a security guard for a gas company. The late 1800s date of manufacture make sense, for the time period he would have been working.

I have asked my father in law to send me a photo of the hand stamped serial number as well as the marked top strap, once they do, I'll post it so you can see.

Thanks again for the quick help on this!

[Jim Hauff]

F16,
You're welcome, glad to help. Thanks for thanking.
I'd enjoy seeing your pics and the serial number will help with research.
The "history" of that piece is great - it's nice to be able to trace things back to some actual usage by a known person.
Getting your in-laws "very excited" makes all the time and effort in answering these question worth while.

[F16Loader]

Jim,

Just to follow up, here is are pictures of the 274 serial number (sorry about mistakenly stating 272 earlier) and the top strap.





And once again, thanks for all the info you provided!

[Jim Hauff]

F16,
Again, you're welcome.
Note how the "font" of the stamping on your piece s/n 274 matches that on s/n 14.

[colsnipe]

Hi, i am new to this forum. i am also a new owner of a H&R 622 revolver. This was bought at an auction. The serial number is T14XXX.
What can you tell me about the fire arm?

Also, since i don't know the value of the gun, i would list the gun as good, but what would the value would be? I paid $130. I know it depends on condition, and i am not a good judge of firearm condition. Just want to make sure it was

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

[jack404]

G'day and Welcome to the forum colsnipe!

may i suggest you post a unique thread about your revolver in the The Ask the Pros & What's It Worth? Forum, so it does not get lost in this thread and everyone get's to see your asking

cheers !

[Jim Hauff]

colsnipte,
I see you took jack's advice - see anwer to your question in your "other" posting.

[BobVa]

Have an H&R Trapper SN 184507. Any help with date would be much appreciated.

[Jim Hauff]

BobVa,
The H&R TRAPPER Model was a variation of the H&R Model 1906, small, solid frame 7 shot .22short/long/lr. The serial numbers for the TRAPPER follow the sequence for the 1906. 1906 was offered circa 1907 to 1941, while the TRAPPER first appears circa 1924.
I have a TRAPPER with s/n 108999 that is pretty securely dated to 1924 and one with s/n 185337 that is securely dated to 1939 or '40. The later one has a cylinder pin that protrudes from the frame approx. 1 1/2" (length changed circa 1939), the earlier protrudes about 3/4". So, if your 184K s/n piece has the 1 1/2" cylinder pin it is 1939 - '40. Best we can do now, without production records.




NOTE: this TRAPPER is a very late production piece with a round, pinned barrel - this configuration is very scarce.

[BobVa]

Thank you Jim. The pin is just 1/16 short of 1 1/2". Of note, the pin has knurle bands all the way to the base of the receiver (8 vs the 4 shown in your picture). Don't know if there is any significance to this difference.

Thanks again

Bob

[BobVa]

deleted by bob