Is there an H&R top break expert on the board?

[timspawn]

I have some questions about an old H&R top break that I would like to ask a knowledgeable person. I would like to do this in private so please contact me via PM or email.

[timspawn]

Since I'm getting no love....does anybody know if a very early top break has a serial number on the outside of the gun? I found a number under the top strap and under the grips but nothing on the outside. I'm trying to make sure some idiot didn't remove it.

[Hamish]

"No love"?

It wouldn't hurt to give it a little longer than before lunch to dinner time to expect an answer,,,,,,

[timspawn]

"No love"?

It wouldn't hurt to give it a little longer than before lunch to dinner time to expect an answer,,,,,,

Ok..Ok..maybe I got in a hurry.

[RED333]

I have a H&R top brake, the serial number in on the butt end of the grip.
Mine was born in 1953.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac165/redintn/HR%2022/HRSportsman22LR9Shotwith6targetbarrel_zps104d3fcb. jpg (http://s896.photobucket.com/user/redintn/media/HR%2022/HRSportsman22LR9Shotwith6targetbarrel_zps104d3fcb. jpg.html)

[dubber123]

I have one I believe that is from the turn of the century, at least it still has the black powder barrel cylinder gap.. Anyways, what I have always taken for the serial number is plainly stamped on the bottom of the trigger guard. I am betting location varied by year and company policy. I have an old H&R Gamegetter that is stamped on the tang, under the wood.

[Wayne Smith]

I have one in 32 S&W that I know to be from the late teens or 20's and it has one on the butt, as does my 999. I have one in 32 S&W of unknown heritage that has none externally, just under the top strap. I haven't had the grips off this one, though.

Is there a data base of serial #/date of manufacture for these little guys?

[RED333]

I have one in 32 S&W that I know to be from the late teens or 20's and it has one on the butt, as does my 999. I have one in 32 S&W of unknown heritage that has none, just under the top strap. I haven't had the grips off this one, though.

Is there a data base of serial #/date of manufacture for these little guys?
Best info I have found so far
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/faq%27s-and-help-****please-read!!!****/msg503417/#msg503417

[Wayne Smith]

Best info I have found so far
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/hr-centerfire-rifles/faq%27s-and-help-****please-read!!!****/msg503417/#msg503417

With over a hundred links, mostly about handi rifles, I'd need somewhat more specific directions!

[RED333]

Year starting S.N. Prefix
1940 A
1941 B
1942 C
1943 D
1944 E
1945 F
1946 G
1947 H
1948 I
1949 J
1950 K
1951 L
1952 M
1953 N
1954 P
1955 R
1956 S
1957 T
1958 U
1958 V
1960 W
1961 X
1962 Y
1963 Z
1964 AA
1965 AB
1966 AC
1967 AD
1968 AE
1969 AF
1970 AG
1971 AH(snap on forend)
1972 AJ
1973 AL
1974 AM
1975 AN
1976 AP(first transfer bar on model 155)
1977 AR
1978 AS (Transfer bar added to all models) http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php/topic,228789.msg1099298912.html#msg1099298912
1979 AT
1980 AU
1981 AVAX
1982 AWAY
1983 AXAZ
1984 AYBA
1985 AZBB
1986 BABC

[Wayne Smith]

My break open with no know heritage starts with a G, thus from 1946 if this list applies to these pistols. My one from the late teens/early 20's (my Grandmother's gun) has no letter prefix. My 999 has a BA0xxxxx serial number, again, not on the above list.

I have no idea how early H&R started with serial numbers. If they started from the beginning they will go back to the 1880's I believe.

[timspawn]

The serial number on this one is 1478.

[olafhardt]

If the caliber is on the left side of the barrel it is a smokeless powder gun (black powder is ok too). If it does not have the caliber on the left side it is black powder only.

[timspawn]

No caliber markings at all.