Back when I was much, MUCH younger, I used to drool over the Shooter's Bible. I read that thing from cover to over. I wanted one of everything, and two of most.
But the one I remember coming back to over and over and over again, was the break-top Harrington and Richardson, Model 999, with a 4" barrel. Man, that looked like it was the cat's meow to me. I had visions of myself running a trapline "up north" wearing a black and red wool coat, and smoking a pipe, with that 4" H&R strapped to my side. The fact that I didn't really know where "up north" was, and had never seen a trap didn't matter.
I bought a 999 once, but it was a 6" model and was missing the rear sight. I couldn't find a replacement sight anywhere. I tried to make one, but that didn't work, and I eventually just sold the gun out of fustration. Besides, it had a 6" barrel, not the 4" I lusted for.
Walked into the LGS the other day, not really looking for anything, which is probably the worst time to go in. Looking around the revolver case nothing caught my eye. But over there, in rimfire case I spotted something. No! It can't be! It's not a 4" 999?
Well, it wasn't. It was a 4" 929. Which is almost a 999, only it lacks the auto ejector. You have to manually hit the ejector rod to eject the empties. Other than that, it's the same gun as far as I've been able to find out. This particular one was made in 1976 or so the S/N says.
I know I paid too much for it, but as I like to say, "When was the last time you saw one for less?" Answer...well...never. I have never seen one with a 4" barrel before. When might I see another for less? I'm an old man. I might not live that long. At least they knocked 10% because I looked pitiful.
It doesn't look too bad for a cheap (maybe sold for $100 or so when it was new?) 22 that's about 50 years old or so. Oh for anyone who doesn't know, it's a 9 shot, break top, 22 Long Rifle, DA/SA.
It's resting comfortably in the layaway bin for now. I'll get it home before too long. I'm sure I'll shoot it, but darn it, I don't think that trapline thing is going to work out.
But the one I remember coming back to over and over and over again, was the break-top Harrington and Richardson, Model 999, with a 4" barrel. Man, that looked like it was the cat's meow to me. I had visions of myself running a trapline "up north" wearing a black and red wool coat, and smoking a pipe, with that 4" H&R strapped to my side. The fact that I didn't really know where "up north" was, and had never seen a trap didn't matter.
I bought a 999 once, but it was a 6" model and was missing the rear sight. I couldn't find a replacement sight anywhere. I tried to make one, but that didn't work, and I eventually just sold the gun out of fustration. Besides, it had a 6" barrel, not the 4" I lusted for.
Walked into the LGS the other day, not really looking for anything, which is probably the worst time to go in. Looking around the revolver case nothing caught my eye. But over there, in rimfire case I spotted something. No! It can't be! It's not a 4" 999?
Well, it wasn't. It was a 4" 929. Which is almost a 999, only it lacks the auto ejector. You have to manually hit the ejector rod to eject the empties. Other than that, it's the same gun as far as I've been able to find out. This particular one was made in 1976 or so the S/N says.
I know I paid too much for it, but as I like to say, "When was the last time you saw one for less?" Answer...well...never. I have never seen one with a 4" barrel before. When might I see another for less? I'm an old man. I might not live that long. At least they knocked 10% because I looked pitiful.
It doesn't look too bad for a cheap (maybe sold for $100 or so when it was new?) 22 that's about 50 years old or so. Oh for anyone who doesn't know, it's a 9 shot, break top, 22 Long Rifle, DA/SA.
It's resting comfortably in the layaway bin for now. I'll get it home before too long. I'm sure I'll shoot it, but darn it, I don't think that trapline thing is going to work out.
So I blew up the picture of the other side. It's stamped 926 just forward of the cylinder on this side. 
Congrats on your new, long awaited H&R. 
