Thanks John, I’m looking forward to your book. It’s a shame these great H&R doubles had such a short run. Years later H&R dipped their toe back into the double gun market again but this time with an inexpensive small bore hammer gun. A very serviceable and attractive $15 hardware store gun for sure but the only thing it had in common with those great Anson & Deeley boxlocks was the name.

Obtaining information about these early high grade doubles is nearly impossible. I recently obtained a copy of H&R Arms Company 1871--1986 by Goforth. It is 628 pages long broken down into 5 parts. Part 3 "All Shotguns with Historical Data" has 1 chapter on double barrel guns which has 9 pages. Only 1/2 of 1 page is devoted to the H&R Hammerless Model 1882.

I'm currently trying to track down the other 2 book mentioned but I doubt there will be much more than a brief listing. I'd love to find out more about the company, it's board make up, and other details about the firm and these guns from that period.

The information on this page is correct in some ways. Not so correct in others. At least according to the information I've uncovered. First:

A&D markings were part of the license agreement. They may have been applied to rough frames sent over from Westleys.

Some early guns were probably sent over from Westleys in a semi-finished state. Later guns were said to be made up entirely on the 2nd floor of H&R. However, they may still have been made up from rough frames/barrels imported from UK.

The estimated number of H&R doubles is less than 3000. Probably closer to 2000-2500. Still, no real records exist to prove precise numbers.

Again, much more information coming up in my book...

FWIW here is the listing from the 1884 E.C. Meacham Arms Co. catalog --

Attachment 74755

and another picture I saved --

Attachment 74756

Every little bit of information helps. Thanks Researcher and Kensal we look forward to your book.

Brad, is your gun still on gunbroker? I can't find it today.

This illustration of the Harrington & Richardson NEW HAMMERLESS GUN from the John P. Lovell Arms Co., of Boston 1890 catalogue is the same shown by Researcher.

But it appears to offer two more grades: No. 3 "Same as No.2. but finer in all particulars..."; and No. 4. "Best quality, fully equal in every respect to the finest and costliest English makes..."

Here is a link to the current listing,
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/812920474
Feel free to remove if this is not allowed

Thanks, Parker.

I was reading about the H&R small bore hammer guns just last week when I was trying to find if anyone had ever made a 28 ga hammer gun . I read that they are fairly cheap compared to other vintage 28 ga sxs's when they show up for sale.

The H&R hammer guns were made in 20, 28, .410 and 44 cal. If I recall correctly.
They are simple guns that are not all that well put together in regards to fit and finish, but they work well and are easy to work on.

If you want a small bore hammer gun and are not picky, they are an excellent buy.

I was just thinking it would be cool to have a hammer gun in every gauge and 28 ga is probably the least seen in a hammer gun unless you consider 24 and 32 ga lol .

Nothing as nice as the beautiful gun posted but it’s my H&R just the same.
I am posting a few pictures of my H&R. It has a cracked butt stock and the Damascus pattern on the barrels is quit faded. Still has some case colors left and bore is very nice.
The frame design is different from the other H&R’s I have see. Just forward and below the boosters on the side of the frame left and right side is a 1/2 round attachment. See the pictures.
Possibly this is not uncommon but I just personally have not seen this before.
Feedback on the gun is appreciated.

Interesting attachments -- I wonder what they are for?

I remember seeing that gun at the shop last fall when I was in AZ,I liked it then and still like it now ,real stout thing

Quite an interesting H&R. The frame bolsters appear to be unfiled/shaped bolsters. In other words, still essentially as forged. Normally, these are shaped out to provide extra strength at the frame's corner... mostly for rifles or heavy duty shotguns for waterfowl. Many of H&R's early frames were sourced from England, so this gun may have been an odd forging that didn't get properly filed up. OR, was deliberately ordered with these hefty bolsters in place. After all, the pins are long enough to fit the frame width.

10 lb. gun with 32” barrels.

John it may just be the pictures I posted. Here is another. Seem to be fit up and polished similar to the rest of the frame.

http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57876_1024x768.jpg

The photos are still not clear. If these bolsters were added to the basic frame, then it's all up in the air. It could have been done at H&R... or by some some other 'smith outside of the factory. The joint (if there is one) is very tight. So... who knows. They are a bit less than elegant however, so I think this may well be "aftermarket work."

That all makes sense John. Can you tell me what model or grade this might be?
I’m assuming that the plates are riveted or pinned somehow in place.

From what I can see, this appears to be a C grade gun, priced at $150 back in the day. Probably the level of gun a ardent waterfowl hunter would select to bang around in the marsh with.

My thoughts, which may not matter to some. Added for sure. You can see where the original engraving comes in and peters out as it approaches the additions. And the rough file marks under the bolsters in that transition point. Faint circular outlines can be seen in the middle of them. Interesting for sure and leaves you wondering what they are for any why they were done.

This W & C Scott gun was shown on The Double Gun Journal Group page. It illustrates the typical style of English frame bolster filing. The bolsters on this H&R are not even in the same galaxy for style and taste. Thus, I deem them add-ons.

Well maybe its a SPACE GUN. Im quit sure they are add ons. Im also just guessing they were not Going for Looks. ��
Just another interesting find and modification.

Added for weight?





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Mr. Carr: I apologize if I seemed too callous in my post. I only meant that the heavy, functional shape of your gun's bolsters were not commensurate with typical English style.

Your gun is still a very rare H&R, with a very fascinating dimension in these bolsters. With its 32" barrels the gun was apparently used with serious long-range loads. Who used it? Where? And how did it end up in Arizona? ALL most fascinating unknowns. Thus, you have a heritage and potential story in this gun that surpasses many others!

I was thinking they were added for strength..... Can't imagine they can weigh very much

John no offense taken. I bring home my fair share of strays. I have a habit of reading about a shotgun maker then finding one to see how they operate and study up on what I can. Some are kept others go down the road.
This guns was in the back room of a shop for years. Moved out front and never sold. The post on H&R high grade guns peak my intreast so a low ball offer thrown out that was excepted.
Here in Arizona I find plenty of repaired and modified guns from the late 1880’s to early 1900’s. After all these guns were tools to harvest wild game but also used to protect the family from Apaches, Bandits and predators that might need to be delete with in protecting the family and livestock.
When this gun was manufactured Arizona was a territory and still pretty wild. Not sure how long this gun has been here. It came of a ranch estate where the sale of the guns were handled by a friend that owns Frontier Guns shop. History pretty much starts and stops there.

It's still a most interesting find. And part of American history.

John -- when do you expect your book to be available? I'm looking forward to obtaining a copy. -- Ron

Ron:
It should be within the next few months. I'm going to hound the publisher later this week. If I get a more accurate timeframe, I'll let everyone know. THANKS for your most kind interest!

John I will also look forward to your book.

Article about this A grade H&R shotgun
 

For those of you who may have an interest, my article about my great grandfather's A grade H&R that is pictured at the beginning of this thread has been published in the DJG Vol 31 Spring 2020. Here are couple of sample pages (these are low resolution web images -- the pictures in DJG are superb as usual). Included in the article is a rare copy of a hand written letter from Anson & Deeley to H&R that mentions Parker Bros' request for license to "make our hammerless actions."

I'm looking forward to reading your article Ron and seeing pictures of this special gun.





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Same here, these H&Rs and early Colts are some of America’s finest! I wish there was more written about them.

I've read Mr. Scott's fine article in the Spring DGJ. It illustrates that the personal and human history behind such wonderful guns is as interesting and important as the guns themselves. Which are products of human art and passion.


Scott's story also opens a few doors to the story behind these unique H&R boxlocks. Not the least of which is Parker's original desire to make their own A&D gun (which I revealed earlier). The balance of this story can be found in my upcoming book: Birth of The Boxlock. It will be available soon from Man at Arms Books. COVID 19 permitting.

Thank you

Look forward to your book John.

Ron, I read your article in DGJ and found it to be extremely informative and liberally infused with your family history - what great provenance and a great history on one of the rarest of American classic SXS guns.
Worcester is about 40 miles from my house here in Andover and has always been a city of industry, art and education. I find it quite easy to believe there were plenty of skilled craftsmen in and around Worcester in the days when your beautiful gun was appointed to be sold to the highest level of clientele.





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