The Harrington & Richardson Trapper

[Goony]

Manufactured only from 1924 until at least 1939, this 7-shot double action .22, even with its 6 inch barrel, weighs in at just a bit over 12 ounces. A lot of them probably found their way into tackle or tool boxes, which may explain why nowadays many survivors aren't in great condition. Higher grade examples seem to have gotten a bit pricey as of late.

Serial numbers appear to run in the low to high 100,000 range. The grip style is referred to as a "saw handle". Variations aren't well documented. Supposedly at some point, the half moon front sight started to be gold washed and the rollmarks gold filled, but I've not seen one yet where even a trace of the latter was extant, even though such would be easy to "restore". A second example of mine has a notched brass front sight, but I can't vouch for this not representing a modification (albeit being very neatly done). I've also posted below a photo of a different front sight that also appears to be brass and deviates slightly from the usual half moon configuration. Finally, here's a link to another Trapper that was sold some years back that has a very atypical front sight, but I find this gun highly suspicious from the standpoint of originality: H&R 7-Shot ''The Trapper'' DA Revolver

I was fortunate enough last year to have stumbled upon a vintage holster that appears to have been made specifically for this model.

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice pistola!

 

[Wyo]

Neat little gun. It's very reminiscent of the S&W 22/32 Heavy Frame Target with those long target stocks.

 

[lamarw]

Your post takes me back to my childhood days. A friend of mine and I used to do a little trapping in the woods near our neighborhood and we were avid readers of Fur Fish and Game Magazine There was usually a picture and advertisement in every issue for the H&R Trapper. We both longed for one of these revolvers. I finally added one of these to my firearms accumulation and completed my 65 years ago dream.

 

[Goony]

Here's an unusually nice example that even over a dozen years ago fetched $500 when auctioned.

 

[Goony]

One more remark regarding these. Keep in mind that these petite revolvers date to the 1920's and are of very lightweight construction. The caliber marked on the barrel is merely ".22 Rimfire", which shouldn't be taken as license to be running modern high/hyper velocity .22 LR ammo through one. Personally, my preference would be for using CB Long, which is currently available.

 

[bummer]

You should try some Aguila Colibri , it’s like shooting an air gun . When I used my revolver during 50’ competition you could hear it hit the backstop

 

[Goony]

You should try some Aguila Colibri , it’s like shooting an air gun . When I used my revolver during 50’ competition you could hear it hit the backstop

I actually on occasion use Aguila Super Colibri.

 

[bummer]

The colibri are primer only

 

[LittleAugieMo]

Grip reminds me of the Ithaca "Auto Burglar"

 

[fredcoyote]

My lil' Trapper

This guy was ALWAYS in my pack when I was younger. Many 100's of good times trekking around Arizona chasing quail, deer, gold and adventure. Only shot shorts and later colibris were used to take quail and cotton tails for the pot. Never let me down but just got replaced with fancier(&heavier) Rugers & Smiths when I grew. Serial number 1350xx if anyone knows when it was made.

Happy shootin',

Fred

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My years ago my good friend had one. It spit lead at the forcing cone so bad the only safe place was behind it......It was his first handgun so we shot the heck out of it.

 

[Goony]

This guy was ALWAYS in my pack when I was younger. Many 100's of good times trekking around Arizona chasing quail....Serial number 1350xx if anyone knows when it was made.

Do you mind me asking what part of Arizona? This year my property is just overrun by quail.

As to dating your Trapper, since H&R's records from the period haven't survived, I can only make an educated guess of around 1926.

 

[fredcoyote]

Thank you for the approximate date Goony. I'll shoot you p.m. on whereabouts in Arizona.

Fred

 

[Goony]

Rather sad, a very late production example that looks to have been in superior condition before meeting its end: HARRINGTON RICHARDSON TRAPPER PARTS - Switzer's Auction & Appraisal Service

I'm somewhat surprised that in the process of the frame coming apart the cylinder appears to have remained whole.

 

[Goony]

Here's a pretty high grade example I recently came across that was accompanied by its original box.

 

[BRING_GUNS]

I've always thought the Trappers were endearingly goofy. I don't have one but I do have a 22 Expert which is kind of the next evolution of the concept.

 

[Goony]

Here's an example that sold at auction a few years back, its being interesting for having a bobbed hammer, a modification which I've not seen before having been made to one of these: Hibid

 

[turnerriver]

This is a Hunter model as shown. The holster was with it when I bought it at a collectors gun show several years ago.

Regards,

 

[Goony]

Getting that holster with it is a terrific bonus!

Here's a Hunter that sold at auction a year ago. I don't know what the source is for the production total cited in the description, but the octagon barrel version was only cataloged for a few years in the late 1920's: Harrington & Richardson Hunter Model Double Action Revolver

Here's another Hunter with a round barrel, a few of these supposedly being made up from leftover parts as late as the 1940's, although in this case the serial number doesn't support that scenario: Harrington & Richardson Hunter Model Double Action Revolver