"The finest target shooting revolver in the world," H&R claimed when the Ultra Sportsman Model 777 was introduced in 1938. Production lasted one year, and few were made (all hand-fitted). This particular gun, serial number U146, is like new, with a finish akin to the S&W magnums of the time: deep, dark blue. It shows no signs of use, but it has been fired… by me. I could not resist putting 27 rounds through it, and it is amazing: unbelievably short single-action hammer; razor-sharp trigger break that feels on the light side of the factory-set 2.5-3 pounds; chambers tight enough that 22lr rounds must be pushed in.

If you have read Walter Roper's books or are a connoisseur of .22 target revolvers, you already know how special this gun is. Here are some details about it I found on the internet several years ago. (My apology for not giving credit to the author, as I did not keep a record of where I found it.)


With the influence of Walter Roper, a national and international Bullseye shooting champ, gun designer and gun smith - who H&R had retained around 1930 or so to improve their SINGLE SHOT TARGET PISTOL (later known as Model 195), H&R offered what was claimed to be the finest target shooting revolver in the world in 1938. It was a refinement of the SPORTSMAN SINGLE ACTION Model 199 as devised and designed by Roper. This model was named the ULTRA SPORTSMAN Model 777. It was completely hand assembled from specially selected parts that were specially hardened and hand honed; single action lock work with a factory set trigger pull "weight" of 2.5 to 3 lbs; short hammer throw and very fast lock time; had special cut rifling; fully adjustable front and rear sights (similar to the Model 199); 9 shot cylinder was exact length of the then factory standard OAL for .22lr cartridge - to prevent any "bullet jump" in an extended cylinder; built on the "Rice" type frame - eleven (11) different style monogrips were offered; had a unique vertical cylinder release lever on the right side of the frame. Production of this model was fairly short lived (perhaps less than a year - sometime in 1938 into early 1939) and very limited. I have seen s/n 's slightly over 1000 - total production is estimated at less than 1200 pieces. Serial numbered in its own range with serial number prefix starting with "U" - for ULTRA. I don't recall exact price - but it approached $50 and may have been more of a special order item than production piece.


Price is $2500 shipped (C&R eligible, of course), including an original H&R brochure that tells all about it. I would consider trading for an interesting pre-Model number S&W centerfire revolver.

If you'd like to see it, I am in Aiken, South Carolina.