Harrington Richardson high grade SxS 1880's Worcester MA

[Garth Gustafson]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

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

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.

[Ron Scott]

Originally Posted by Garth Gustafson

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.

[Kensal Rise]

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...

[Researcher]

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

Dec. 25, 1884, E.C. Meacham Arms Co.jpg

and another picture I saved --

Envelope with H & R Hammerless.jpg

[john pulis]

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

[Bill Murphy]

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

[stumpstalker]

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..."

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

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

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks, Parker.

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Garth Gustafson

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.

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.