Another H & R Sportsman question

[Allan]

This was my fathers gun. It is a double action with a serial number D20681. Am I correct to say that is was made in 1943? Where can I get parts for it or is it better to have a gun smith work on it? It appears that the hammer does not hit the firing pin. The hammer is smooth which doesn't look right. Did it have a step on it? It has the one piece grip. Is there is anything else else that might be interesting on this gun that I should know? Thank you.

[Jalibass]

Hi Allan,

It's unclear how many Sportsmans were made during the war. You are correct that the prefix D would be 1943, however D and S were first used to denote double or single action. It is more likely that your piece is 1933. I believe somewhere in these forums people talk about where you can still get some parts. I haven't heard of any gunsmiths who specialize in Sportsmans.
The story goes that the men and machines that made the H&R USRA single shot match target pistol (still thought to be the world's most accurate pistol) also made the 1933 H&R Sportsman so it's rifling and fit are unlike any others.
I love mine and plan on shooting it for years to come. Good luck

[32 Magnum]

Allan,
Jalibass has given you good information on that 1st Model Sportsman. On that model the firing pin is retained in the frame, is spring buffered and the hammer has a flat face. Your piece should have the cylinder release on the right hand side as a 1" long lever. If the firing pin is not contacting the cartrige after being struck by the hammer - the firing pin is broken or peened over. These firing pins are very difficult to find. I looked for one for years and finally had to buy a parts gun to secure one.
Does your cylinder have one or two patent dates? Research is still on going in that production era - 1933 or 34 and defining marks on the guns is important when linked to the serial numbers.

[MY 2C'S WORTH]

Allan,
Jalibass has given you good information on that 1st Model Sportsman. On that model the firing pin is retained in the frame, is spring buffered and the hammer has a flat face. Your piece should have the cylinder release on the right hand side as a 1" long lever. If the firing pin is not contacting the cartrige after being struck by the hammer - the firing pin is broken or peened over. These firing pins are very difficult to find. I looked for one for years and finally had to buy a parts gun to secure one.
Does your cylinder have one or two patent dates? Research is still on going in that production era - 1933 or 34 and defining marks on the guns is important when linked to the serial numbers.


32 Magnum.....I am happy to find someone that is so knowledgeable about the H&R Model 999. I was given one by a friend and it has a broken cylinder shaft. I have found one at BOBS GUN PART'S, and have traken the broken shaft piece out. Im not shure if the shaft part that's left in the cylinder unscrews for replacing with the new one. If it does, would you please instruct me on how the best way is, without damaging any of the parts. Also if you could tell me the manufactered date that would be a bonus. The serial num. is BB036633. I am also looking for a instruction booklet for it. Any info. on any of these questions would be appreciated........I have just joined Gun Collectors Forum and I am very happy to have found this site. Because of some older fire arms I have recently gotten and I'm shure I will have a number of questions. Im especially would like to know how to get a 410 single shoot pistol regestered as a Historical Firearm. It's probably 75 yrs. old or more, but the biggest problem is it has a 14in. barrell. It came to me frrom my dad and I would hate to try to regester it the wrong way and have the B.O.F. of Calif. say, "Hay thats an illegal gun, we have to confiskate it". Thank you again.....MY 2 CENT'S WORTH..........AKA--lene.man@att.net

[32 Magnum]

MY 2C's Worth,
Welcome to the forum.
The new part, extractor rod should have a threaded end and should screw into a double ended, threaded bushing on the stub end of the extractor star - there is also a spring in there. Hopefully simply inserting the threaded end into the hole in the cylinder and screwing it in place will accomplish the replacement. AND, again hopefully, the auto extractor mechanism will then work correctly. If it does NOT, repost and I can give you the contact info for a gentleman who has quite a bit of knowledge on the internal working of the H&R firearms. I am not that knowledgeable nor skilled in the "innerds" of these guns - I merely collect and research.

Prefix 'BB' was made in 1985 and your SPORTSMAN will be one of the last examples made before H&R Inc. ceased operations in Jan. 1986 (BC).

As to the .410 Single shot pistol - if the barrel is smooth bore, under 18" and has not previously been registered with the BATFE under the 1934 NFA as ammended in 1968 - there currently is NO way to register it. The Feds consider it contraband and I'm sure the CA B.O.F. will also. I do not know of any registration as an "Historical Firearm". Maybe someone else knows of this classification.