Age of my H& R rifle?

[Gerry N.]

I got an H&R Topper 158 in .30-30 a short while back and have had it to the range. I had to buy some (Haaack, spit...) factory ammo 'cause I didn't have any brass yet. To make a long story interminable, the iron sights really leave something to be desired, a Lyman folding rear and a low blade front mounted on a low ramp. I'd like to mount a scope, I have several that would be suitable, but I don't know when the rifle was made. Weaver makes two bases, the 60-A
for Pre '73 rifles and the 82 for Post '73's.

How to tell 'em apart? H&R inconsiderately neglected to put the date of mfg. on the rifle.

Gerry N.

[OBXPilgrim]

One of the guys on Graybeards site had this in the FAQ (it's kind of buried back some):


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 foecap)
1972 AJ
1973 AL
1974 AM
1975 AN
1976 AP
1977 AR
1978 AS
1979 AT
1980 AU
1981 AV
1982 AW
1983 AX
1984 AY
1985 AZ

Second letter of prefix
A= 1986
B= 1987
C= 1988
D= 1989
E= 1990
F= 1991
G= 1992
H= 1993
I= 1994
J= 1995
k= 1996
L=1997
M=1998
N=1999
P=2000
R=2001
S=2002
T=2003
U=2004
V=2005
W=2006
X=2007
Y=2008 serial number prefixes changed in May 2008, CBA for SB2 and CAC for SB1
?=2009

The first letter N = NEF, H = H&R, the second letter denotes year of manufacture.
You're looking for a N or later if you want to be able to order barrels marked with * an asterisk on the accessory barrel page.

[Gerry N.]

My rifle has no prefix. The serial # is 23XXX on the barrel only, in a post several days ago I described the rifle as having this stamped on the reciever:

TOPPER MODEL 158
HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON, INC
AE US PAT. 2876576 (bold mine)

I'm now thinking that the AE stamped in front of the patent number may be the date code. If so, my rifle was made in 1968. The forend is held on with a snap fitting and lug and the forend fitting and trigger guard are black plastic resembling tenite.

I think I'll take a gamble and order the 60-A mount from MidwayUSA.

Gerry N.

[Andrew Quigley]

Might double check with the guys over at Graybeardoutdoors.com in the NEF forum, but I believe your correct. Great website if ya need help with an H&R.

[357maximum]

If your barrel and receiver have been milled (partial length of barrel/full length of receiver) to make the unit lighter..it is a pre 73 base.

If it looks the same as a modern one (no milling) it is a post 73 mount

[Gerry N.]

If your barrel and receiver have been milled (partial length of barrel/full length of receiver) to make the unit lighter..it is a pre 73 base.

If it looks the same as a modern one (no milling) it is a post 73 mount

Thank you. It is milled to reduce the size of the barrel at the breech.

I found that the Weaver 82 base will "fit" but looks weirder than skadditch stuck on the barrel. I think I'll wait until I can find a 60-A base.

Gerry N.

[357maximum]

Thank you. It is milled to reduce the size of the barrel at the breech.

I found that the Weaver 82 base will "fit" but looks weirder than skadditch stuck on the barrel. I think I'll wait until I can find a 60-A base.

Gerry N.

No problem Gerry...one of the nicest single shots ever built IMHO...One of my favorite toys. I picked up a few bases in the bargain bin at a local vendor for 1 or 2 bucks apiece:twisted:, but they are all mounted on toys in my collection. If only they still built them as well....progress sucksabunch sometimes.