Advice on choosing used rifle?

[Canuck Bob]

I've been searching for info on the Handi's as regarding thier history.  Can someone direct me to a few good threads or maybe answer a few questions please?

I am wondering about shopping for a used rifle with a steel trigger gaurd, extractor, and am wondering if there are other older features I should be on the lookout for.  Kinda like the pre 64 Winchesters, how far back would I have to go to find attractive features?  I am most interested in a small caliber plinker with 22 Hornet at the top of the list if it came with some of these older features.

[Daman]

I would look for a Topper 158 in the Hornet, straight grip stocks and rifle sights. That is just me and I am a little bias cause I have one and love it. I think they quit making the Topper 158 around '86-'87.

Daman

[quickdtoo]

The only H&R firearms with steel parts would be older models, you won't find them on anything made 1987 or later unless they were added as accessories which H&R did offer until a few years ago, or were special models like the Wesson & Harrington 38-55. For example, the Model 1908 shotguns had steel parts. Someone may be able to tell you which models had them, I think the Model 157s may have had them.

Good luck in your quest,

Tim

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks guys

That 157 full stock is beautiful.  What is the history of that rifle line please?

Tim what caliber is that rifle?

Also what were these handi's called before they were H&R.  I take it that H&R produced the kine after "87 and it included the polymer pieces?

[quickdtoo]

It's not mine, I gleaned it from the net several years ago. Plastic parts have been on H&Rs for years even before H&R Inc went out of business in late 1986. The Model 157 .22 Hornet was made 1976-1977 and in other chamberings 1975-1983. Pre-'87 H&Rs had model number designations. 1987 and later Topper models are all shotguns, all rifles are called Handis or Ultras with a few exceptions.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgDetail.aspx?id=438

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/everygun/GunMfgDetail.aspx?id=431

Tim

Here's the complete history of the company...

History

The original H&R firm was in business for over a century from 1871 to 1986.[1] Its roots are deep in the mid-19th Century Connecticut Valley firearms industry where the Wesson brothers loom large in the history of American firearms innovation. Edward Wesson was a noted maker of fine percussion rifles. Daniel B. Wesson was the co founder of Smith & Wesson, and design genius behind many of their break-through innovations.

Younger brother Frank Wesson started his own firearms manufacturing firm in 1859, sharing an early patent with Nathan Harrington. Wesson produced his famous two trigger rifles and spur trigger pistols and pocket rifles. He started a brief partnership in 1871 with his nephew Gilbert Henderson Harrington, as Wesson & Harrington, until Harrington bought him out in 1874.

In 1875 Harrington and another former Wesson employee, William Augustus Richardson, formed the new Harrington & Richardson Company. In 1888 the firm was incorporated as The Harrington & Richardson Arms Company. Their original capital investment was $75,000. Harrington was president, Richardson was treasurer, and George F. Brooks was secretary. After the deaths of Harrington and Richardson in 1897 [2], Brooks became the manager and the company was held by heirs Edwin C. Harrington (Gilbert Harrington's son) and Mary A. Richardson (William Richardson's sister).

In 1894 the company opened a new facility on Park Avenue in Worcester, Massachusetts to respond to customer demand for their products.[1] H&R was enjoying such success that the factory was expanded again after only a few years.

In the 1960s H&R was acquired by the Rowe family, and warranty cards were sent to 'Industrial Rowe', Gardner, Massachusetts.[citation needed] The original H&R company went out of business in 1986, and the building, a five story brick structure, which was located at the corner of Park Avenue and Chandler Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, was demolished. A Walgreens pharmacy now stands at this location.[3]

A new company, H&R 1871, Inc., was formed in 1991 and started production of revolvers, single shot rifles and shotguns using original H&R designs. These were turbulent years in the firearms industry and H&R 1871, Inc. assets were subsequently sold to H&R 1871, LLC., a Connecticut LLC owned by Marlin Firearms Company in November 2000. Marketing its products under the brand names of Harrington & Richardson® and New England Firearms®, H&R 1871, LLC is currently the largest manufacturer of single shot shotguns and rifles in the world and is a significant presence, in terms of overall sales, in the U.S. firearms industry. Unfortunately for owners of older H&R firearms, H&R 1871, LLC. has chosen not to extend their factory product warranty to H&R guns made prior to the LLC's takeover.

Marlin, including all it's H&R assets, was later acquired by Remington Arms Company in December, 2007. H&R 1871, LLC production was moved to Ilion, N.Y. (the site of Remington's original manufacturing plant) in late 2008, while their corporate offices are co-located with Remington Arms in Madison, N.C. (HR1871.com and Remington.com).[citation needed] Remington is now part of the Freedom Group.

H&R's current product offerings include the single-shot Topper and Pardner shotguns, the single-shot Handi-Rifles, the NEF-branded Pardner Pump shotguns (imported), and the NEF-branded Excell semi-auto shotguns (imported). Best known for their single-shot firearms, which are typically accorded descriptions like "accurate", "reliable", and "cost-effective" by their fans, H&R's rifles and shotguns continue to be popular choices among hunters and outdoorsmen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_&_R_Firearms

[Sourdough]

Tim, a little something I learned from Mr. Garrison the CEO of New England Firearms in 1996.  Maybe it will fill in a blank, or answer a question. 

H&R had been sued over the Huntsman Muzzleloading gun.  They lost the suite and had to pay out a large sum of money, forcing the company into bankrupcy.  H&R employees banded togeather to form New England Firearms/H&R 1871.  Mr Garrison was very addiment they would never again produce a muzzleloading gun. 

As a side note:  At this time Mr. Garrison and I discussed the .35 Whelen.  He said due to reasurch and development they were not going to produce that chambering at that time.  Shortly thereafter they came out with the Rocky Mountain Elk Federation commerative, in .35 Whelen.  I again called Mr. Garrison.  I said thanks for running with my idea on the .35 Whelen, but you don't offer it in the Standard Handi.  How about the guys that don't want to take a Commerative out into the woods and beat it up.  Mr. Garrison told me to place an order and they would barrel up a .35 Whelen on a standard frame just for me.  Six weeks later I recieved my Whelen.

[quickdtoo]

That's nice Rog, Gardner made many customers special offers, but unfortunately, as the saying goes, that was then, this is now, sadly the employees at H&R that have made things like that happen were lost when Gardner closed and the only H&R/Marlin rep like that since, now works for Colt.   

Thanks for sharing,

Tim

[Rustyinfla]

  About 100 years ago I think all the gun companies used to be more customer oriented. Now it's just business.