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Harrington & Richardson M488

FishMan1FishMan1 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited September 2009 in Ask the Experts
My father gave me a Harrington & Richardson DELUXE TOPPER M488 .410 ga. shotgun. I can not find the serial number on it. It is more that 30 yrs. old that I konw of, exact age is not known. I was reading another reply about letter codes the letter on mine is not listed. The letter underneath Harrington & Richardson is a "T" for the year made. This letter was not in the reply. It is a nice gun that's RED and CHROME with a BLACK barrel. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks.[8D]

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Prior to the 1968 Gun Control law, there was no legal requirement for rifles or shotguns to have a serial number. Because of this many firearms manufacturers didn't bother to serialize their inexpensive rifles and shotguns.

    Bill Goforth the moderator of the forum at this link, is a authority on H & R firearms.

    http://www.armscollectors.com/php_bb.html

    He might be able to help you with a DOM?
  • 32 Magnum32 Magnum Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FishMan1-
    Look closely at the left side of the receiver. You will find the manufacturer's name and address, probably a patent number and somewhere either under that block or forward of it, you may find a stamped letter. That letter will indicate the year of manufacture. If there is no letter, then it's birth date will fall somewhere between 1951 and 1957. First variations (1951-52) will have walnut stocks and 2nd variations (1953-57) will have hardwood (probably Birch) stained stocks. Walnut will be a bit darker and show lots of grain. Birch will look lighter and grain will be very fine.
    Note: Info courtesy of Bill Goforth's research
  • Jasond1183Jasond1183 Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My grandfather left me an H & R Self Loading .32cal pistol
    Serial # 9291 but i find very limited information on this gun. I was hoping someone could give me some History on it Please?
    It has stamped on it
    "Harrington & Richardson Arms Co."
    "worcester, Massachusetts. usa."
    "Pat Aug 20 1907, Apr 13, Nov 9 1909"
    if that helps any....thanks
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jasond1183
    My grandfather left me an H & R Self Loading .32cal pistol
    Serial # 9291 but i find very limited information on this gun. I was hoping someone could give me some History on it Please?
    It has stamped on it
    "Harrington & Richardson Arms Co."
    "worcester, Massachusetts. usa."
    "Pat Aug 20 1907, Apr 13, Nov 9 1909"
    if that helps any....thanks


    They were made under license from Webley & Scot, the British firearms maker. Over 34,000 were made between 1916 & 1924. They never were really popular. Even nowadays being 80+ years old, they don't bring in a lot of money from collectors.
  • b.goforthb.goforth Member Posts: 982
    edited November -1
    SELF LOADING .25ACP SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
    1912-1920 Caliber 25 ACP (6.35mm); magazine capacity 6 rounds; length of barrel 2 inches; overall length 4 ? inches; weight 12 ? ounces; blue finish;
    magazine nickel or in the white; grips flat panel of hard rubber. Magazine Follower: flat and straight on Early production and curved and stepped at rear on late production 12 Slide Serrations on early production and 16 on late production There are two different types of slide markings found on the 25-caliber pistol. I believe the serial numbers are in a separate series. One sourcelists only 16,500 manufactured between 1912 and 1916, however it was carried In the catalogs until 1920
    First Variation Markings Early (1-10,000);
    Slide right side: HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO.
    Slide left side: H & R SELF-LOADING
    WORCESTER, MASS. U.S.A.
    CALIBER 25
    PAT. AUG.20.'07. APRIL 13, 1909
    Frame left side at rear: Serial Number
    Second Variation Markings late 10,000 --up;
    Slide right side: HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO. Slide right side : H & R SELF-LOADING
    WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A.
    CALIBER 25
    PAT. AUG.20, 1907 APRIL 13, 1909 Frame Left side at rear: Serial number
    VALUE: 1st Variation 100%=$565 60%=$225
    2nd Variation 100%=$525 60%=$225

    SELF LOADING .32 ACP SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
    1914-1924
    Caliber 32 ACP (7.76mm) magazine capacity 8 rounds, length of barrel 3? inches, over all length 6 ? inches, weight 22 ounces, Grip safety, blue finish (some nickel versions have been reported but catalogs only listed a blue finish) Magazine Follower: flat and straight on Early production and curved and stepped at rear on late production 12 Slide Serrations on early production and 16 on late production . Slide marking are the same type as the 25 ACP Model. I believe the serial number series is different from the 25 ACP Model. One source list 34,500 were manufactured between 1914 and 1924.
    TYPE 1 1914 Serial numbers up to approx. 2000
    Markings; Slide right side: HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO. Slide left side: H & R SELF-LOADING
    WORCESTER, MASS. U.S.A.
    CALIBER 32
    PAT. AUG.20.'07. APRIL 13, 1909
    Slide right side : H & R SELF-LOADING
    CALIBER 32
    TYPE 2 1918 Serial Numbers after approx. 2000
    Slide right side: HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO.
    Slide right side: H & R SELF-LOADING
    WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A.
    CALIBER 32
    PAT. AUG.20, 1907 APRIL 13, 1909
    VALUE: Type 1 100%=$525 60%=$195
    Type 2 100%=$495 60%=$175

    SELF LOADING .32 ACP SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL SECOND OFFERING---1939-1940 No new production, sold only those that were still in inventory appeared in 1939 and 1940 catalog
    VALUE: Type 2 only 100%=$495 60%=$175

    bill
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