The Harrington & Richardson Sportsman

[Goony]

This is a late example of H&R's premier target revolver, Model 999, made in 1981. Note that the barrel rib isn't ventilated, but merely fluted. For at least a few years prior, some such had been observed, but by this time all 999 production had faux vents. Still. the gun is nicely finished, and its quality couldn't be cited as a presage to H&R's filing for bankruptcy as 1984 drew to a close. The print advertisement dates to an earlier and more happily prosperous era in the company's history.

 

[CajunBass]

Beautiful guns aren't they? I had one years ago, but the rear sight was missing and I couldn't find one anywhere, so I finally sold it.

The rear sight blade is held in place with a double set screw. You have to loosen one, then tighten the other to make adjustments. Make sure you keep an eye on those screws.

At least that's the way the one I had worked. They may have changed it over time.

 

[Bald1]

Those things seem to be a little pricey these days. Like everything else I suppose.

 

[Goony]

I have a pair of them. They were my Dad's. I know they were bought many years apart.

Well, the top one should have been made after 1952 but before 1967, while the bottom one could well be as late as the one I posted above. H&R's are generally pretty easy to date as the letter(s) serial number prefix advanced alphabetically (albeit with some gaps) each year. Here's the rundown -

A 1940
B 1941
C 1942
D 1943 *
E 1944
F 1945
G 1946
H 1947
I 1948
J 1949
K 1950
L 1951
M 1952
N 1953
P 1954
R 1955 **
S 1956 ***
T 1957
U 1958 ****
V 1959
W 1960
X 1961
Y 1962
Z 1963
AA 1964
AB 1965
AC 1966
AD 1967
AE 1968
AF 1969
AG 1970
AH 1971
AJ 1972
AL 1973
AM 1974
AN 1975
AP 1976
AR 1977
AS 1978
AT 1979
AU 1980
AX 1981
AY 1982
AZ 1983
BA 1984
BB 1985
BC 1986

* For some 1930's Sportsmans a "D" serial number prefix did not denote year of manufacture but rather "double action".
** An "R" serial number prefix will also be found on the circa 1940 Model 196 Eureka Sportsman.
*** For some 1930's Sportsmans an "S" serial number prefix did not denote year of manufacture but rather "single action".
**** A "U" serial number prefix will also be found on the circa 1938-39 Model 777 Ultra Sportsman.

In 1981 H&R offered a special, engraved version of the 999 to commemorate their 110th anniversary. These "1 of 999" revolvers were numbered from 999001 to 999999.

After Harrington & Richardson proper had ceased operations, manufacture of 999's continued under the aegis of New England Firearms (H&R 1871) utilizing a new series of serial number prefixes -

HA 1987
HB 1988
HC 1989
HD 1990
HE 1991
HF 1992
HG 1993
HH 1994
HJ 1995
HK 1996
HL 1997
HM 1998
HN 1999


Additional notes on 1930's era Sportsman serial numbers -

Since H&R's records from this period aren't extant, an accounting of serial numbers can only be based on observation and to some degree conjecture.

It may be that prototype and pre-production samples were numbered beginning with 1 (or 01), while regular production started at 101. Low serial numbers have been documented up into the 1600 range. By the 3000 range, the "S" prefix (for "single action") had appeared, and by 4000, the "D" prefix (for "double action") was being applied. It isn't at all clear whether the single and double actions shared a serial number sequence with the "S" or "D" prefix being utilized as appropriate, or if each was numbered in separate sequences (so that there could theoretically exist two guns with the same serial number save for the preceding "D" or "S"). It seems certain that the Ultra Sportsman and Eureka Sportsman had their own serial number sequences (preceded by "U" and "R" respectively). In any case, at some point above the D28000 range (circa 1937), the "D" at least was dropped and serial numbering reverted to a straightforward all numeric progression that reached as high as perhaps 90000, ending there as the practice of sequential date code prefixes (starting with "A") with yearly recurring numbers was adopted in 1940.

 

[pharmer]

Those things seem to be a little pricey these days. Like everything else I suppose.

40 years ago RSR Wholesale was selling them for $99, many as you want. 929's were $59 though and it was easier to sell them for $100 than 999's at $150. Then again S&W 520's were $189 a couple years later. Missed opportunities in the "Retail Trade." Joe

 

[murphydog]

I had one a few years back but just couldn’t warm up to it. Not a bad gun in any way but just not up to S & W standards of finish and function.

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I just checked my Father's. He told me he bought it in '48 or '49 at a gas station on his way to University of Oregon to visit my Mother. He remembered he paid 28$ for it. It has an "A" prefix, so made in '40 according to the chart.

OZ

 

[BrovoEchoSierra]

I had one and really liked it, until it broke.
When I took it apart, to repair it, I discovered that they are really poorly made, and there were even some plastic parts inside.
I ordered some parts to make repairs, and there was quite a bit of work fitting the pieces in order to make it functional again.
When I got it back together, I test fired it, and it worked fine, both double and single action. I am sure it would have probably been serviceable for a long time but I was done with it.
I traded it for a really tight, but slightly worn model 15-4, and I think it was one of the best trades I ever made.
Later I found a 17-3 for a 22 to plink with, and bought that.
No plastic parts in either of those to break.

 

[Goony]

...there were even some plastic parts inside.

The nylon/plastic internal parts of the more modern H&R's admittedly constituted a very poor choice of material. Well known to be prone to breakage. Metal replacements have been available for quite some time.

 

[fiasconva]

Goony, thanks for that chart. I've been looking for one of those for years. It will come in handy.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I had 2, a 4" and a 2". I gave the 2" to my late, lamented ex-father-in-law and the 4" to a lady friend who needed a gun. Operative term = GAVE. No $.

 

[Gamecock]

Goony, thanks for that chart. I've been looking for one of those for years. It will come in handy.

Yes, thanks, Goony.

Mine is an AJ. So it's over 50 YO.

I had my gunsmith get running again last year. Still fun to shoot.

 

[Igiveup]

Goony, thanks for the chart. Mine is 1980. Great shooter, was training a grandson how to shoot a revolver and he lost the rear sight blade. Found it next day on the ground, what luck! I had another that I sold that was from the late thirties, so I am told. It belonged to a friend that passed and I sold it for his widow. It had more of what is called "wrapped arond grips".

 

[.357magger]

I've been enamored with the Sportsman for many years and have owned multiples over those years.

I'm down to one, a first year (1932) Sportsman, but it's not a Model 999, it's a Model 199 Single Action. These were only made from 1932-1940. And IMHO should have been the only Sportsman models as it eliminates any of the delicate DA sear issues of the 999 (especially the latter years of production). Just a slim, trim revolver that is a delight to handle.

This gun is an absolute tack driver and with Eley 40 grain match ammo is a thing to behold.

 

[Goony]

The Pre-war Sportsman

These were based on the birdshead "Rice" frame, which was carried over after WWII up until at least 1952. I also have one of those 1930's vintage single action versions. Those were absolutely intended for serious, competitive target shooting, and are extremely accurate. I've yet to take a good photo of my example. Meanwhile, the photo I'm attaching is of an early (serial # D45XX) double action.

That isn't my earliest Sportsman, though. I'd previously posted here serial # 22: An H&R Resurrected

I've also posted a Rice framed Sportsman that confounds me: An Anomalous H&R Sportsman

 

[shil]

They are fun to shoot, aren't they? I bought mine new around 40 years ago. The only issues I ever had were a broken cylinder catch spring, which I replaced, and the backsight screws which I had Loctited into place............ with RED Loctite. Immovable. I finally managed to get them out with a bit of heat and replace them. No Loctite this time!

 

[Kinman]

My dad won one back in the 60's on a sales promo, came in a pretty maroon box. He gave it to my mother for home defense. I started borrowing it when I was around twelve and by the time I left home at seventeen had managed to break the single action sear, probably from fanning it like Wyatt Earp. I did the same thing with a Colt Trooper 38/.357 years later so that can't be blamed on the mechanics, just the loose nut behind the sights. I remember having a definite advantage over just about everybody I shot with because I had at least three more rounds left over to finish off whatever we were trying to shoot. I used to look at H&R in much the same way as I did Hi Standard, they were good well made...and affordable. It wasn't until later that I learned what great shooters Hi Standard Victors and family were.

 

[.357magger]

These were based on the birdshead "Rice" frame, which was carried over after WWII up until at least 1952. I also have one of those 1930's vintage single action versions. Those were absolutely intended for serious, competitive target shooting, and are extremely accurate. I've yet to take a good photo of my example. Meanwhile, the photo I'm attaching is of an early (serial # D45XX) double action.

That isn't my earliest Sportsman, though. I'd previously posted here serial # 22: An H&R Resurrected

I've also posted a Rice framed Sportsman that confounds me: An Anomalous H&R Sportsman

IIRC, the Rice frames on the pre war versions could be ordered from a selection of 7 different grip styles. Mine has a design by Roper.

As a side note, look at the front strap on my 199. It's serrated and I've never seen another like it out of many examined. H&R did LOTS of changes on these models, but I'm thinking this was possibly available only in the 1st year?

And yes, the SA versions were serious target shooters in their day. And that's how they were marketed, to Camp Perry competitors. I have several catalog reprints around here somewhere, I'll try and find them to post.

And Goony, I think I can speak for many here that we'd love to see a pic or two of your SA Sportsman.

 

[Goony]

IIRC, the Rice frames on the pre war versions could be ordered from a selection of 7 different grip styles. Mine has a design by Roper.

As a side note, look at the front strap on my 199. It's serrated and I've never seen another like it out of many examined. H&R did LOTS of changes on these models, but I'm thinking this was possibly available only in the 1st year?

Below is an excerpt from a period print advertisement that shows the various optional grips that were available.

As to your gun, the serrations are located where these were normally serial numbered, but it looks to me as if the serial number is in this case behind the trigger guard extension. The question would be if that's factory or an end user modification. Highly intriguing.

 

[.357magger]

Below is a period print advertisement that shows the various optional grips that were available.

As to your gun, the serrations are located where these were normally serial numbered, but it looks to me as if the serial number is in this case behind the trigger guard extension. The question would be if that's factory or an end user modification. Highly intriguing.

I'm 99.9% sure it's a factory serial number rollmark due to both its uniform font appearance compared to other Sportsman I've compared it with, and that the bluing in that area matches the rest of the gun, which hasn't been refinished. Additionally, the serrations are deep and uniform and it would be odd for an aftermarket gunsmith to produce the necessary jigs for a "one off".

H&R did multiple variations of these, often within the same production year (firing pin on hammer vs firing pin on frame, round frame release vs square frame release, etc), particularly pre WW2. So who knows? And H&R didn't leave behind a known reference file.

Whichever the case, and we'll probably never know, someone cared enough about it to order the #4 Grips and to have properly cared for the gun before I became it's caretaker. It's really a delightful shooting machine and never fails to make me smile when I take it out.

On a secondary note, I'm pleased to see these guns finally starting to get some collector interest.