H & R Arms Topper M48 16 Gauge - The Firearms Forum

Jerry Jones · 04-10-2011, 09:12 PM

Curious as to age of this shotgun and if it is safe to fire. Hasn't been fired in about 35 years. Serial # is: I 3697

Jim Hauff · 04-11-2011, 09:34 AM

Jerry,
Welcome to the forum. Your H&R Model 48 was the standard single barrel H&R shotgun from circa 1943 (it is H&Rs first single with a self-adjusting barrel lock) up to 1957. Your piece was made in 1948 (the 'I' letter prefix dates it). This model was the basis for all the H&R made single shot guns made after it. It MAY have the chamber length stamped into the barrel - most likely it is 2 3/4" as the H&R literature doesn't show a 3" chambering in 12 ga during it's life span. It was made to take standard factory loaded cartridges with LEAD pellets or slugs. The only way to determine if it is safe to shoot - is to have it examined by a competent gun smith. There is no practical way for anyone to tell how safe your gun is without examining it.

polishshooter · 04-11-2011, 11:27 AM

The 16 ga SHOULD take 2 3/4" shells as well, but there ARE old 16s out there with slightly shorter chambers, I think 2 1/2", so check that out as well...

But I'm pretty sure the H&R 16s should be 2 3/4"

Jim Hauff · 04-11-2011, 12:07 PM

DANG IT. I missed the 16ga listed in the title - looking at the H&R stuff - all 16 ga. listings show a chamber length of 2 3/4" from '43 to 57. .410 bores are first listed in 1948 and all are listed as 3" chambers, 20 ga 2 3/4", 28 ga (into. in 55) also 2 3/4".

04-10-2011, 09:12 PM	#1
Jerry Jones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1	H & R Arms Topper M48 16 Gauge Curious as to age of this shotgun and if it is safe to fire. Hasn't been fired in about 35 years. Serial # is: I 3697 -->

04-11-2011, 09:34 AM	#2
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H & R Arms Topper M48 16 Gauge Jerry, Welcome to the forum. Your H&R Model 48 was the standard single barrel H&R shotgun from circa 1943 (it is H&Rs first single with a self-adjusting barrel lock) up to 1957. Your piece was made in 1948 (the 'I' letter prefix dates it). This model was the basis for all the H&R made single shot guns made after it. It MAY have the chamber length stamped into the barrel - most likely it is 2 3/4" as the H&R literature doesn't show a 3" chambering in 12 ga during it's life span. It was made to take standard factory loaded cartridges with LEAD pellets or slugs. The only way to determine if it is safe to shoot - is to have it examined by a competent gun smith. There is no practical way for anyone to tell how safe your gun is without examining it. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 04-11-2011 at 09:37 AM..

04-11-2011, 11:27 AM	#3
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,863	Re: H & R Arms Topper M48 16 Gauge The 16 ga SHOULD take 2 3/4" shells as well, but there ARE old 16s out there with slightly shorter chambers, I think 2 1/2", so check that out as well... But I'm pretty sure the H&R 16s should be 2 3/4" __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.

04-11-2011, 12:07 PM	#4
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: H & R Arms Topper M48 16 Gauge DANG IT. I missed the 16ga listed in the title - looking at the H&R stuff - all 16 ga. listings show a chamber length of 2 3/4" from '43 to 57. .410 bores are first listed in 1948 and all are listed as 3" chambers, 20 ga 2 3/4", 28 ga (into. in 55) also 2 3/4". __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie