old h&r

[jiminpa]

i got a old h&r single shot  break open that is marked .44 cal. it has a pat.date of march 1901.ser# a5xxxx.any info would be appriciated!! when i got the gun it came with .410 3" shells(this is what was being shot out of it in the barn,rat gun!) thanks!!

[daddywpb]

I can't think of anything in .44 cal that would interchange with a 410 shell. Better check the barrel and find out what it's chambered for! It's got to be stamped somewhere.

[Leftoverdj]

The current .410 shell is an outgrowth of .44 shot cartridges from the late 19th and early 20th century. It is quite possible that someone rechambered an old H&R to 3 inch .410.

You really need a chamber cast to find out what you are dealing with. Get your gunsmith to do it or order Cerrosafe from Brownell's and follow the directions. You can also do a sulphur cast, but that is a stinky job with a fire risk.

Once you have the chamber dimensions, you can figure out what you really have. I seem to recall there were several lengths of .44 shot cartridges. The only such gun I ever worked with was Hopkins & Allen. Shortened .444 Marlin brass worked in it. You may have to thin the rim to use .444 brass.