H&R Sportsman ID and question - The Firearms Forum

castlerisk · 01-15-2011, 11:08 AM

i have something of a tough decision here.

I have a Sportsman serial#38281 with all original parts and definately seen it's days in the field as most of the blue is gone and it is pitted and probably cleaned with fine grade sandpaper at some point. I'm not really worried from a value standpoint, but i know the Barrel Catch won't hold a rear sight because the sight screws just slide around.

1. Should I go for a new Barrel Catch, screws, sight from Numrich? I'm leaning this way, but Numrich shows 2 types.
K Series to AL57489
AL57489 Series & on
I'm guessing I'm in the first group but not seeing the AL as part of the serial number i'm not sure.

2. get the screw holes recut and use slightly larger screws to hold the sight

Jim Hauff · 01-15-2011, 11:22 AM

Castle,
With that serial number - your SPORTSMAN is a 1st Model and was made mid 1930's. I'd need to see pics of both sides of gun to tell more closely. H&R used at least five different sight blades and sight configurations on the SPORTSMAN series between c. 1932 and 1986. re: The ones cited by Numrich 'K' = 1950 - 'AL' =1973 - neither of these is "proper" for your piece.
If I were you, I would simply loctite the sight screws in place, after finding the proper windage setting.
I have a couple dozen SPORTSMAN pieces in my collection - my 'range' piece is one made in late 1932 - early '33 - it has very little finish left but mechanically it is excellent and accuracy is superb.

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castlerisk · 01-15-2011, 12:38 PM

have to say it most closely resembles the very bottom picture, except that yours are beautiful!

i didnt even think about using loctite.
Thanks,
Jason

Jim Hauff · 01-15-2011, 02:19 PM

Jason,
Thanks for the follow-up - your piece looks to be a 1st Model 6th Variation (1937-39) - with the address block stamp moved to the right side of barrel and the cylinder release moved to left side of frame; most likely mid 1937 - from the s/n.
One of the most common problems with these older Sportsman pieces - is exactly what you've experience - loose screws on the rear sight block. One of the most commonly sought replacement parts is the rear sight blade - which has fallen off due to loose screws. LocTite should work for you - do it before you lose your sight blade.

The condition of your piece is similar to the physical condition of my 'range' Sportsman - the other ones (which have taken 16 years of search and upgrades to add to collection) are just too dang nice to risk screwing up.

You're welcome and thanks for thanking.

Old Gun Guy · 01-17-2011, 01:20 PM

castlerisk,
I love these older 999's, and I think yours is beautiful in the shape it's in. It looks like a real revolver should look! (Jim, yours are beautiful also!

)
Old Gun Guy

cruiser · 11-20-2012, 05:16 PM

I have a question that seems to fit into this old post. Castlerisk asked if the K series or AL series barrel catch was the correct one for his pre-1940 H&R 999. My question is, even though it wouldn't be correct, would of of these fit and work properly on the pre-1940 models? The barrel catch on my older model is not staying latched into place. I have replaced the spring, but the latch still works loose after a couple of rounds and has to be pushed back into place. I would like to try replacing the latch if I thought one of the two latches castlerisk mentioned would work on my model. Does anybody have experience with this?

HossFly · 11-21-2012, 09:58 AM

Hate to butt in but i love these old Sportsmans!
The one i have was bought new by my wifes Grandfather - Inherited from her Father- Serial # 260

As much plum as blue but still tight & a perfect shooter-

cruiser · 11-21-2012, 06:43 PM

That's a nice one for sure HossFly. Mine's not quite that nice, but also a good shooter and tight except for that latch problem.

01-15-2011, 11:08 AM	#1
castlerisk Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 12	H&R Sportsman ID and question i have something of a tough decision here. I have a Sportsman serial#38281 with all original parts and definately seen it's days in the field as most of the blue is gone and it is pitted and probably cleaned with fine grade sandpaper at some point. I'm not really worried from a value standpoint, but i know the Barrel Catch won't hold a rear sight because the sight screws just slide around. 1. Should I go for a new Barrel Catch, screws, sight from Numrich? I'm leaning this way, but Numrich shows 2 types. K Series to AL57489 AL57489 Series & on I'm guessing I'm in the first group but not seeing the AL as part of the serial number i'm not sure. 2. get the screw holes recut and use slightly larger screws to hold the sight -->

01-15-2011, 11:22 AM	#2
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question Castle, With that serial number - your SPORTSMAN is a 1st Model and was made mid 1930's. I'd need to see pics of both sides of gun to tell more closely. H&R used at least five different sight blades and sight configurations on the SPORTSMAN series between c. 1932 and 1986. re: The ones cited by Numrich 'K' = 1950 - 'AL' =1973 - neither of these is "proper" for your piece. If I were you, I would simply loctite the sight screws in place, after finding the proper windage setting. I have a couple dozen SPORTSMAN pieces in my collection - my 'range' piece is one made in late 1932 - early '33 - it has very little finish left but mechanically it is excellent and accuracy is superb. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 01-15-2011 at 11:24 AM..

01-15-2011, 02:19 PM	#4
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question Jason, Thanks for the follow-up - your piece looks to be a 1st Model 6th Variation (1937-39) - with the address block stamp moved to the right side of barrel and the cylinder release moved to left side of frame; most likely mid 1937 - from the s/n. One of the most common problems with these older Sportsman pieces - is exactly what you've experience - loose screws on the rear sight block. One of the most commonly sought replacement parts is the rear sight blade - which has fallen off due to loose screws. LocTite should work for you - do it before you lose your sight blade. The condition of your piece is similar to the physical condition of my 'range' Sportsman - the other ones (which have taken 16 years of search and upgrades to add to collection) are just too dang nice to risk screwing up. You're welcome and thanks for thanking. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 01-16-2011 at 08:47 AM..

01-17-2011, 01:20 PM	#5
Old Gun Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: N. Utah Contributor Posts: 489	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question castlerisk, I love these older 999's, and I think yours is beautiful in the shape it's in. It looks like a real revolver should look! (Jim, yours are beautiful also!) Old Gun Guy

11-20-2012, 05:16 PM	#6
cruiser Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question I have a question that seems to fit into this old post. Castlerisk asked if the K series or AL series barrel catch was the correct one for his pre-1940 H&R 999. My question is, even though it wouldn't be correct, would of of these fit and work properly on the pre-1940 models? The barrel catch on my older model is not staying latched into place. I have replaced the spring, but the latch still works loose after a couple of rounds and has to be pushed back into place. I would like to try replacing the latch if I thought one of the two latches castlerisk mentioned would work on my model. Does anybody have experience with this?

01-15-2011, 12:38 PM	#3
castlerisk Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 12	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question have to say it most closely resembles the very bottom picture, except that yours are beautiful! i didnt even think about using loctite. Thanks, Jason Attached Images Last edited by castlerisk; 01-15-2011 at 12:50 PM.. Reason: adding images

11-21-2012, 09:58 AM	#7
HossFly V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 99	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question Hate to butt in but i love these old Sportsmans! The one i have was bought new by my wifes Grandfather - Inherited from her Father- Serial # 260 As much plum as blue but still tight & a perfect shooter- __________________ TEXAN BY BIRTH & CHOICE USMC '67-'70 VIET NAM VET NRA MEMBER Last edited by HossFly; 11-21-2012 at 10:15 AM..

11-21-2012, 06:43 PM	#8
cruiser Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	Re: H&R Sportsman ID and question That's a nice one for sure HossFly. Mine's not quite that nice, but also a good shooter and tight except for that latch problem.