Author Topic: Little help with identifying this rifle - Thanks! (Read 2141 times)

cjrjck · « **on:** February 20, 2011, 10:08:42 AM »

Sorry to ask but I don't know the answer. Just bought this 30-30 rifle off a friend who needed to sell it. He was not sure of the model type either. I have SB1 and SB2 rifles and shotguns and this is different, at least the barrel shape is. Receiver looks a lot like an SB1. I believe this is a Topper model though I have never owned or seen one. Has an HF serial prefix. No model designation on the barrel or receiver. Both receiver and barrel seem to be stainless steel. Came with a spare funky camo synthetic stock he said was the original. Very narrow barrel channel. I bought this one for the laminated stock but the barrel and receiver are in such outstanding shape I plan to take it out tomorrow to shoot. Also got a model 058 topper shotgun from him (clearly marked so)with a 20 gauge barrel that fits this receiver too so I see the resemblance in the barrel shapes.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:17:40 AM »

Looks like a Topper 158 barrel from the contour, sights and vintage scope base, on either an SS SB2 frame or an SB1 Topper Deluxe Classic frame which is matte nickel, I don't think H&R ever made an SS 30-30 barrel, they did make some electroless nickel barrels tho, and it could be painted even, I bought a 30-30 barrel on ebay once that was said to be stainless, but it was just a good french gray paint job. Do the last three numbers of the frame serial number match the numbers engraved on the left side of the barrel underlug?

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:27:40 AM »

That is pretty nice! ('course, Im partial 'cause it looks a lot like my SS 45-70 'UH')
If you keep it you might consider a pair of matt alum. scope rings to kind of 'keep the theme' going.

cjrjck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:44:23 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 20, 2011, 10:17:40 AM

Looks like a Topper 158 barrel from the contour, sights and vintage scope base, on either an SS SB2 frame or an SB1 Topper Deluxe Classic frame which is matte nickel, I don't think H&R ever made an SS 30-30 barrel, they did make some electroless nickel barrels tho, and it could be painted even, I bought a 30-30 barrel on ebay once that was said to be stainless, but it was just a good french gray paint job. Do the last three numbers of the frame serial number match the numbers engraved on the left side of the barrel underlug?

Tim

The 3 or 4 serial numbers are etched just in front of the lug on the underside of the barrel. Hard to read but the last two appear to match. Not a 100% sure. Friend had it for many years. Not sure of the origin. Price was minimal. Worth it for the stock and the barrels. Either way, the 30-30 topper barrel should work on either the SB1 Topper Frame or the 058 Topper frame if it locks up tight? By the way, how can I tell if it is a Topper Deluxe Classic frame or just an SB1? It is not an SB2 I can tell that from the solid end. My biggest concern is that if I end up selling the frame or barrel down the road, I want list them honestly.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:00:58 AM »

Properly fitted it will work fine on an SB1 frame, not sure on the M058 tho, if I had the choice, dunno that much about the M058, I'd leave it on the TDC frame which is an SB1, just nickel plated. Dunno about the marking on the barrel, my M158 30-30 barrel isn't marked at all on the underlug except for a T on the left side, nothing on the bottom of the barrel.

Tim

cjrjck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:15:05 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 20, 2011, 11:00:58 AM

Properly fitted it will work fine on an SB1 frame, not sure on the M058 tho, if I had the choice, dunno that much about the M058, I'd leave it on the TDC frame which is an SB1, just nickel plated. Dunno about the marking on the barrel, my M158 30-30 barrel isn't marked at all on the underlug except for a T on the left side, nothing on the bottom of the barrel.

Tim

Mine has a "T" on the underlug side also. Thanks so much for the help. It locks up on one of my SB2 frames too. I might shoot that one also. Better trigger. You think I have a nickel plated barrel or maybe painted and Nickel Topper Deluxe frame or SB1?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:31:27 AM »

On SS the finish and 'look' will be pretty uniform everwhere, inside and out; on a plated item you can often find 'thin' looking places, so look the action over carefully inside under the barrel, etc. and see what you find.

cjrjck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:31:03 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on February 20, 2011, 11:31:27 AM

On SS the finish and 'look' will be pretty uniform everwhere, inside and out; on a plated item you can often find 'thin' looking places, so look the action over carefully inside under the barrel, etc. and see what you find.

I have to admit I am mechanically challenged which is why I am weeding through 10 sb2 receivers to find different "fits" eventually ending up with 4 or so that are different enough so that I don't have to modify barrels. I looked the receiver and barrel over well. Even took off the front sight. Still not sure if they are nickel or stainless but they sure are pretty. My only other stainless steel rifle is a Remington Model 7 so I am don't have much to go on. Thanks.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2011, 12:59:35 PM »

Quote from: cjrjck on February 20, 2011, 11:15:05 AM

You think I have a nickel plated barrel or maybe painted and Nickel Topper Deluxe frame or SB1?

I think it's painted or done with a coating like DuracCoat since the sights are silver too.

Tim

gendoc · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:41:32 PM »

put a magnet on it to see ifin its ss...or find a spot that is hidden by the forend or receiver
and scrape a tiny area lightly to see ifin its painted or coated.
i tried this on both my 258 handi-gun II barrels and the nickle did not remove.
i was jus checking to see ifin i got took !!! but i did'nt

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:43:33 PM »

A magnet will stick to SS too.

gendoc · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:46:50 PM »

Quote from: gcrank1 on February 20, 2011, 01:43:33 PM

A magnet will stick to SS too.

yeah, but not like pure steel

really all depends on tha grade of stainless used

cjrjck · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:56:39 PM »

Magnet stuck. Started to scrape under the lug but could not put my heart into it. I just don't want to scratch it up. Really doesn't matter to me either way. I would like it if it were blue, scratched, and fading. They are nice light barrels. Handle real nice on my sb2 frame. I do like the 30-30 too. I will see how it shoots tomorrow.

carbineman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 03:15:54 PM »

I would definately not sell that barrel and frame.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2011, 03:32:22 AM »

+1 that!, especially if you got into it 'right' it wont hurt you over time; just plain affordable to keep.

44 Man · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2011, 04:26:56 AM »

If you shoot it, you are going to be hooked! Those lighter contour early barrels are great shooters! I wish they still offered that contour! Hope you enjoy it! 44 Man

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:49:50 AM »

I got 4or5 of those frames they are nickle the Huntsman frame even has the pins nickled as does the 2 SB2 frames. But I am still curious as to your bbl?? (scratch it). If it's SS it will be SS in the bore also. Kurt

cjrjck · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:40:55 AM »

Quote from: 44 Man on February 21, 2011, 04:26:56 AM

If you shoot it, you are going to be hooked! Those lighter contour early barrels are great shooters! I wish they still offered that contour! Hope you enjoy it! 44 Man

Could not agree with you more. Waited all weekend to go to the range today. I was fortunate to have the day off for the holiday. Range is nice but public and unmonitored so you know how that can be. Opened at eight and was there at 8:10. Range was packed. I guess I was not the only one off today? Was shooting the Topper 30-30 on a sb2 frame, swapping back and forth with that frame sharing a 243. Had another 223 Handi with me I was shooting also. In short, the Topper had no problems on the sb2 and the nickel sb1 I had (shot it 3 times on that frame). Had about 20 old handloads I made for my son years ago,130 grain Speer SP and a box of factory Remington 150 grain loads. Topper liked the factory stuff much better than the reloads. All reloaders hate when that happens. I can honestly say the 3 shot groups at 100 with the Remington loads were some of my better ones in a long, long time. What surprises me is that the light barrel did not heat up like I thought it would. I shot the 3 shot groups about as quick as I can load them and get settled in. I then waited between groups, in this case swapping barrels and shooting the 243 or shooting the other 223. Might be the low velocity of the 30-30 that mitigates heat (and recoil for that matter). Very nice setup. Great fit for a Handi.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2011, 03:09:42 AM »

So what was the final lowdown on this set up?? Kurt

cjrjck · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2011, 04:23:07 PM »

Kurt,

Was planning to sell it but now I am probably going to keep it. I do not know honestly if it is, nickel, stainless, plated or painted. It looks good either way. It is the first Topper barrel I have seen and shot. It is so thin and light. Handles like a dream. Recoil is mild, typical of the 30-30. If you look at my posts you will see that my favorite all time Handi is my 30-30. This Topper 30-30 outshoots it. Now I have two 30-30 barrels. Will never sell the other since it was my first but the Topper is making a play for the starting lineup. Will have to give it some serious thought.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2011, 04:33:12 PM »

Sounds good to me but you need to ID the metal at least for historical purpose. It may be an orphan bbl like my 17HMR Versa Pack bbl. Kurt

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2011, 04:41:43 PM »

Quote from: PHATINJUN on March 14, 2011, 04:33:12 PM

Sounds good to me but you need to ID the metal at least for historical purpose. It may be an orphan bbl like my 17HMR Versa Pack bbl. Kurt

Your 17hmr is part of a 3-barrel combo H&R made one year, they were supposed to make 750 each of the 3 or 4 different combos they offered.

Tim

cjrjck · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2011, 05:02:43 AM »

Update on my Topper 30-30 stainless/nickel/painted or plated barrel. The two Topper barrels I have (this and a 20 gauge) come up short on most of my sb2 receivers (would need to be shimmed) except for my "short" blued sb2. Excellent fit. Now I found a nickel sb2. Lock up is good. If anything, a little off the lug might be better. This receiver is even "shorter" than my blued short. Came attached to a black synthetic 25 year anniversary stock. Seemed fitting to put these three together. Balance is outstanding. Looks good too.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2011, 08:28:06 AM »

I have not seen that stock before...25th aniversary of what ? Does it say. That sure is one nice looking set up though. Kurt

cjrjck · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2011, 11:24:17 AM »

Quote from: PHATINJUN on March 19, 2011, 08:28:06 AM

I have not seen that stock before...25th aniversary of what ? Does it say. That sure is one nice looking set up though. Kurt

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