Help in mfg and possible age?

Masterbuck54 · #1 06-24-2023, 09:14 PM

Picked this .410 single shot today.

Can anyone identify the Mfg and possibly the year it was made?

I’ll break it down tomorrow & give the wood a good cleaning with some Murphy Oil soap.

Thanks in advance for any and all info.

Edit: identified as H&R product mfg 1940

Masterbuck54

Maddog 521 · #2 06-25-2023, 07:55 AM

There is some info here. Scroll down the page.

I am looking for info on a 410 made by the Volunteer arms co Shotguns Forum | Numrich

Just a moment...

30-30remchester · #3 06-25-2023, 08:53 AM

These early single shot guns were so common and were sold by the millions to hardware stores and mail order firms. If you bought enough, they would let you name them. Harington Richardson, Iver Johnson, Hopkin Allen's, Cresent Arms, were just a few of the makers. I studied these a few years ago and am still confused. However, yours is made by Harrington & Richardson in @1940. The giveaway is the trigger guard. H&R had a very distinctive and beautifully made and designed trigger guard. Milled steel, and precision fitted. Unlike nearly all other makes including Winchester that simply used a strap of stamped steel attached to the stocks with wood screws as trigger guards. Nice old shooter you have.

Masterbuck54 · #4 06-25-2023, 09:09 AM

Info much appreciated.

It looks like it hasn’t seen much action in its 83 years.

No pitting or rust.

Bore clean as a whistle.

Should clean up well.

Masterbuck54

Goony · #5 06-25-2023, 12:58 PM

Harrington & Richardson employed an "A" serial number prefix for their 1940 production. Of course, that following six digit numerical component suggestive of nearly a million being made is just so much nonsense.

It looks to me like there may be an incipient crack in the buttstock behind the tang that you might want to address.

otis24 · #6 06-25-2023, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goony

Harrington & Richardson employed an "A" serial number prefix for their 1940 production. Of course, that following six digit numerical component suggestive of nearly a million being made is just so much nonsense.

It looks to me like there may be an incipient crack in the buttstock behind the tang that you might want to address.

Looks very similar to my H&R from that era. My serial number is A979439

2152hq · #7 06-25-2023, 02:35 PM

Volunteer was a House or Trade name used on guns sold by Belknap Hardware , Louisville, KY .
You ordered enough guns, you could have whatever trade name on them you wanted.
Generally a catalog sale item.
I believe the Belknap/Volunteer singles were made by various makers for them.
H&R is a good bet.

Masterbuck54 · #8 06-25-2023, 04:24 PM

Thanks for all comments.

Stripped it all down today and gave it a good scrubbing.

Let the wood dry and applied Ren Wax.

The bucket water was filthy….I guess if I hadn’t had a bath in 83 years the water would look the same 🤣🤣

Plenty of “patina” on this one.

Yes a small crack but I didn’t do anything with it yet.

I’ll need to order a firing pin or have my buddy make me one.

Does anyone have a clue as to a model number that I can reference for a H&R on Numrich web site?

Masterbuck54

Ivan the Butcher · #9 06-25-2023, 08:18 PM

I actually saw brand new AA 410 2 1/2" Sporting Clays #8's at two Cabela's on Memorial Day in Wheeling (7 boxes) and Columbus (8 boxes) the day after. Columbus sold out by Noon Wednesday at $17.99 a box.

The good news is there are some new shell out there!
The bad news, too few, and maybe too late!

Ivan

2152hq · #10 06-26-2023, 09:08 AM

I think your shotgun may be either the H&R Model 1905 Shotgun.
Or their Model 1915 Shotgun.

Quite similar. The 1905 often has the TD latch on the hinge pin/left side of the frame.

Both use a set screw in the very top of the breech of the frame to secure the firingpin in place.
Some frames are just rounded on top. Some have a groove there with the set screw hole down in the bottom of the groove.

If it is this type remove that set screw and make sure the firing pin with it's stop groove is secure with the setscrew in place.
Many are home-made replacements and of doubtful quality.
It's the only thing holding the firing pin in the gun.

Masterbuck54 · #11 06-26-2023, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the info.

Yes mine has the groove at the top.

I’ve already removed the broken one and will get the replacement ordered today.

Masterbuck54