Harrington Richardson high grade SxS 1880's Worcester MA
 

I'm trying to get information on a nice A Grade H&R SxS that I inherited from my Great Grandfather. From what I can determine all factory records are gone or least no one seems to know where I can find them. I showed the gun to Steve Cobb and Steve Barnett at the Southern. They both were unable to provide any information except that it's a nice English shotgun. I was hoping maybe someone on the forum might know something that would help me in my research. SN 1941 Anson and Deeley lock -- barrels probably imported from Westly Richards

what a great gun

they were made by H&R under license from Westley Richards

search for the two names together and you will find several references to the collaboration

"Also, Westley Richards licensed Harrington and Richardson in the U.S. as sole maker of the Anson and Deeley patent in the U.S. I have one of each grade of these guns and, quality wise, one cannot tell them from English produced guns. : from http://www.hunting-heritage.com/blog...chards-or-not/

on this board
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthr...ght=harrington


other quick finds

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/...rue#Post382425

and a reference to a Double Gun Journal article here http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/...rue#Post111486

I seem to remember Brad Bachelder wrote an excellent story about H&R doubles in the DGJ a few years back.

Mr. Scott:
Your gun appears to be an A Grade H&R, or the finest they offered (similar pic attached from collection of H&R past president). Your's is in exceptional condition and is one of the VERY few guns of this grade ever made. It is RARE!

These guns were made on the 2nd Floor of H&R's plant by workmen who were either brought over from the UK and/or trained by UK craftsmen. The guns were produced under the personal guidance of William and Edwin Anson.

The basic bits for early guns may well have been shipped over from Birmingham. Especially the frames. H&R was the SOLE licensee of the A&D action in the US. And their license prevented Parker from gaining a similar license... so Parker made it's own unique hammerless double.

The full story of these guns, including photos of guns like yours (plus Bachelder's), will appear in my upcoming book, Birth of The Boxlock. The Untold Story of Anson & Deeley. Out soon from Mowbray Publishers.
gunandswordcollector.com

H&R SxS
 

What a magnificent and gorgeous gun. You are VERY fortunate to own it.

That is a fantastic gun!
Looks like you had the gun at the NE. It would have been nice to meet you and see the gun.

I think that the H&Rs were also graded as dollar grades too. The $300 would be the highest I believe.

Ron, that is a wonderful gun and must surely be a pride to have it passed down to you.

I am curious if it is marked anywhere as a Harrington Richardson?
I have no doubt of its authenticity - just wondering how they were marked.

Regards, Dean





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Yes there is an inscription on the barrel rib

another pic
 

the close up almost looks fake so here's the original

Are you referring to Ted Roe?

Thanks Ron - very nice!





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Mr. Scott:
YES. He was gracious enough to have some photos taken and sent them to me for the book. Years ago. I was humbled by his contribution!

I didn't know him but a friend of mine worked at H&R back then and knew him pretty well. He tells an interesting story about what happened to the high grade guns when the company was sold. The sad part of the story is that all the factory records were tossed out.

I'm trying to figure out how my great grandfather came upon this gun. He was not a man of means but well respected as a machinist. He worked with Robert Goddard, making parts for some of his rockets at L. Hardy Co. in Worcester. A company Goddard's father either owned or ran.

The family story handed down by word of mouth is that this shotgun was made for one on the board members at H&R. Could Goddard or his father have been that board member? Maybe the gun was gifted by one of them to him for his work on the rocket?

Wouldn't that add to the gun's provenance!

Ron,

Very nice. These were top of the line in their day. There are a few around. I have sn 445, a B grade. Are you going to the Vinatgers in September at Hausmann's in Pa? If so lets see if we can meet with these.

John

Sounds good. I'll be camping along the right side of the big field in the camper pictured below -- please stop by.

What a great shotgun!!

What a gorgeous gun! Looks unfired. What a treasure.

You’re a very lucky man to inherit that gun. I hope you can find out how your grand father came to own it.

great gun with a hidden storey waiting to be told....charlie

One of these is listed on GB 812929474 good pictures SXS ohio

According to Mr Vicknair, the best made American Classic Double.

Kensal,

Look forward to your book. I did not see it on the listed site. Would it be possible that Westley may have export sales, and import, records, since these were shipped to and assembled by H-R. The barrels would not require proofing in the UK, since they for export. Am I correct in this assumption.

I also passed, unfortunately, on a Pittsburgh Arms SxS that looked to be an exact duplicate of the H-R and was told they too held a license to asemble Westleys. It was every bit as fine, better in grade that the one I inherited, as the higher graded HRs. Never saw another one. I did pick up a set of barrels with a fore end at a garage sale in the Hudson Valley decades ago. The lugs were damaged, a future project, and the seller knew not where the the rest of the gun was.

I suspect these HRs was sold thru the higher-end outfitters of their time. They were pricey. My great uncle told me he purchased his from a "shop in New York(city)" in the 1880s.

Anyway, I look forward to your book.

Mr. Pulis:
Thanks for your most kind interest in my book. It will be out soon. Some minor issues to deal with at the publisher yet to go.

The inside story of H&R's double production will be revealed in the book. Along with photos never before seen. And you've guessed well. The market for this gun was a bit limited by a host of factors. This too, will be revealed.

So please be patient. The book will be out soon! Your kind words are much appreciated.

John, please notify us when your book is available.

Dean





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It's definitely not unfired. I know because I've patterned it (left barrel mod, right barrel full) and put a box of RST's through it at Hausmann's in June.

I thought long and hard about shooting it. Not because of a fear of bulging or blowing up the Damascus barrels but because it is so pristine -- I'd hate to trip and fall and damage it in any way.

My father had the gun hidden in its case up between the floor joists in his house for at least 40 years. I got to look at it about once every other year or so. He never shot it and I do not believe his uncle ever did either. So it was no easy decision to shoot it.

We talked about the gun and if we should shoot it or not. If we never shot it it would remain in my safe until I'm gone. Then it would go to one of my daughters -- then what? Would she sell it or would her kid sell it after she's gone? That didn't seem like the greatest option. I'm never going to sell it so why not shoot it? I also thought it would be pretty cool to watch my 88 yrs young father shoot it for the first time. Which he did earlier this year at our local skeet club.

Mr. Scott:
You are a wise and prudent man. A gun unfired is a gun without purpose. Enjoy the ownership of this historic H&R while you can. And ensure its care for the future.

The salient precaution one must keep in mind is that the stock wood is VERY old and undoubtedly very dry. Even in perfect visual condition, it may not suffer heavy recoil very well.

Still, the story behind this gun will be fascinating and important for sure. As I've already mentioned you own one of the VERY few A Grade H&R's ever made. Enjoy its history and beauty!

Here's a small bit from my upcoming book... with people you may know:

Thank you John.





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Yes John, I’m friends with Ernie and Steve. They both are members of Boylston Skeet Club where I shoot weekly. I’ve seen Steve’s fine collection of SxS shotguns including the 3 H&Rs he owns. I believe one of the three he owns is an A grade (but it is not as nice as mine :) ).

Thank you for the information—I’m looking forward to obtaining a copy of your book. No doubt Ernie and Steve will both want a copy as well.

Article about my shotgun in Upland Almanac
 

I am posting this with the author's permission

Mr. Foster did a fine job. However, John Deeley was a bit more than an employee of Westley Richards. He was Managing Director. Nonetheless, a good view of this A Grade H&R.

Thanks John. In your research did you come across any records about other officers or board members during that period? I was told that when the H&R was sold all the records were lost. I’d like to know if Robert Goddard or his father had any connection with H&R.

Mr. Scott:
Sorry, but I can offer nothing on Mr. Godard. The H&R license to make the A&D gun was signed by Mr. Harrington and Mr. Richardson. This doc is in our archives. But, as you say, the other H&R records were lost. And if Ernie Foster doesn't know, I doubt if anyone does!

Thanks Ron. John, I can't wait for the book. Keep us in the loop, please.

That's Robert Goddard, thank you very much!

What an awesome H&R! I remember the A grade Brad and I restored well. Serial number 50. Prior to that I had only ever seen lower grades like C or D. The NRA museum in Fairfax, VA has at least 3-4 on display. The attached pic is my poor ink pull prior to prepping the receiver. Looking at it now I wish I would have used plain white paper to stick the tape to. From my notes on the back #50 was unique in that it did not have a traditional extractor retaining screw in the barrel lug. We speculated #50 was either the first A grade or one of the first H&R doubles built under license. It would be interesting to compile a serial number list to better learn production numbers. The others I have seen all had the retaining screw and seemed to be at least three or four digit serial numbers. My note also included “26” Damascus barrels, bores appeared to have been honed”. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ez...wIjDFg-fLE9OJf

Glad to hear from someone familiar with Brad's historic A&D by H&R. It's in my upcoming book, Birth of The Boxlock. With a bit more information on it. Here's a limited peek at H&R's No. 50 double gun from Chapter 2:

I have DGJ Vol twenty-one Issue 3 with Brad's article about his restored A grade starting on p. 29 -- interesting read. There is another excellent article about these H&R shotguns in DGJ Vol eighteen Issue 2 by Don Hardin. He pictures an A grade and a B grade. And finally Ernie Foster also wrote about a B grade in The Upland Almanac Winter 2008. I look forward to adding your book to my growing collection of H&R shotgun material.

Hello all,
We currently have that very shotgun, serial #50, for sale on our gunbroker. I dont want to post a link here since this isnt a sale section but quick gunbroker searching will bring it up. The current owner is very aggressive about realizing a sale, the price point is very low in my opinion. The piece would be an awesome new addition to someones collection, especially with its feature in the upcoming book by Mr. Campbell.

http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57466_600x400.jpg

This is an H&R $300 grade 12 gauge SN# 713 I picked out of a pile of junkers in Las Vegas. It was so dirty it was barely recognizable. The forend had to be completely rebuilt, the stock re-checkered and refinished and the barrels re-done. The work was done by Brian Dudley.

Dr. Bob, very nice. Brian did an excellent job.