Author Topic: pre serial # 410... (Read 1617 times)

Joe S. · « **on:** June 03, 2013, 09:14:11 AM »

saved this little Topper 410 from a shop today. while filling out the paper work we noticed it didnt have a serial number... just a US patent number.

in hindsight i cant say it is me, but i cant stand to walk away from a H&R that i think may be somewhat rare...

at any rate, what issues would there be to shipping this off to an ffl should i decide to not keep it?
are these old guns safe to shoot?

pics:

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2013, 12:36:34 PM »

Thats a very nice one too... Goodness I sure hope they are safe to shoot... I shoot mine all the time.

NO WORRIES at all, it is what it is. But why sell? Keep it and enjoy it its a well made gun!

CW

RPRNY · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2013, 12:56:44 PM »

Wow. Good of you to do a decent thing and take it out of circulation. Very dangerous, not suitable for shooting at all. Only of use to a few nutcases. I will be happy to get that dangerous item off your hands for nothing more than shipping cost to my ffl. ;-)

It is rare to find an older model like that in such good shape and having held the case coloring. Congratulations.

Joe S. · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:11:49 PM »

The barrel is very patina'd, and the reciever has a good bit of freckling but i guess you'd expect it from an older gun huh?

Light loads only or "heavy" loads too?

So is this a pre 1940 gun? Or were the shotguns serialed differently than the rifles?

spruce · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:20:26 PM »

I don't know about H&R's specifically, but prior to 1968 serial numbers were not required on long arms, so a lot of manufacturers didn't bother putting them on their economy grade shotguns and .22's.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:21:10 PM »

Quote from: Joe S. on June 03, 2013, 01:11:49 PM

The barrel is very patina'd, and the reciever has a good bit of freckling but i guess you'd expect it from an older gun huh?

Light loads only or "heavy" loads too?

So is this a pre 1940 gun? Or were the shotguns serialed differently than the rifles?

If its a tight as it looks, its safe for all available 410 shells... IF you can find any.

CW

Joe S. · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:32:09 PM »

Thanks for the info.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:43:29 PM »

The model 158 was made 1962-1984 in different configurations in the BBGV, so there were pre-68 model 158s made.

Tim

Joe S. · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:29:13 PM »

Thanks Tim,
I looked in the FAQ's. mustve missed it. Thanks

foxchase · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:32:00 PM »

Look similar to a 20 gauge "158" that I picked up awhile back. No SN either.
Does your .410 have snap-on forend?

Joe S. · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:48:18 PM »

It does

HWB13 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2013, 04:57:26 PM »

Serial number is not a problem. I have a Steven 325A 30-30 bolt (butter knife) that my dad had to ship me from MI to CO,when I was stationed there. It has no serial number either they put down 0. Not that you would be shipping it anytime soon. NICE SAVE.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2013, 06:03:27 PM »

I wouldn't worry about shooting any modern ammo through that gun. That's a well made gun right there. That gun will outlive all of us.

Sprint · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2013, 01:32:11 AM »

"saved this little Topper 410 from a shop today. while filling out the paper work we noticed it didnt have a serial number... just a US patent number."

Joe S,

Your shotgun was made in 1966. In the photo that shows the lettering, you will see an "AC" just to the left of US Pat. XXXXXXX. If the shotgun is in good condition, it is safe to use with any commercial 410 loads.

Sprint

Joe S. · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2013, 02:04:45 AM »

So thats a date code?!

jpshaw · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2013, 01:17:38 AM »

Your .410 is just a young-un. Here is a Stevens from the late 1940,s with no serial number. We have always shot whatever .410 we can find in it with no issues.

Joe S. · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2013, 02:26:34 AM »

foxchase · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2013, 04:51:50 AM »

I noticed your .410 "158" has a red recoil pad. I have a 12 & a 20 "158" and both have the H&R red recoil pad.

Does anyone know If all "158" had this recoil pad?

Joe S. · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2013, 05:22:17 AM »

U mean the recoil pad shaped brick at the back of the stock? Lol

Yea its a H&R, but it aint much of a "pad" after all these years. Lol

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2013, 03:31:50 PM »

I have the same gun that I rescued from a pawn shop. It and another H&R 410 were both in the rack together. 175.00 cash sent both of them out the door with me. I actually like the 158 better than the sb1, more so for the reasons. 1 its a nice looking gun, 2 it has a longer barrel, yet weighs less. 3 its smoother in operation than the other one.

as far as shooting, I have shot probably 300 rounds through mine over the past couple of years, and its taken more than its fair share of grouse, rabbits and squirrels.I it eats 2.5 and 3 inch shells no problem. Mine seems to like the #5 shot, but 6 do work in a pinch.

As pointed out, 410 shells can be a pain to find, and I usually buy several boxes at one time when they get in stock, esp if I find the #5 shells. after last years hunting season, walmart had a few boxes of my beloved #5 shells on sale for 14.00 a box

and I bought them all, I have more in shells than in either of my two guns

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2013, 08:26:23 AM »

Quote from: jpshaw on June 05, 2013, 01:17:38 AM

Your .410 is just a young-un. Here is a Stevens from the late 1940,s with no serial number. We have always shot whatever .410 we can find in it with no issues.

Joe,
This is my M48 .410 like yours. Steel trigger guard, steel forend hinge snap on forend & Walnut wood.

This is another oldie 410... NO SN and aside from proof marks... it has excelsior 50 on the top.

I think its a Beretta!

CW

Joe S. · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2013, 09:02:26 AM »

I actually saw one of those berettas at a pawn shop here in town in the last couple days.

Interesting critter.

jpshaw · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2013, 01:36:21 AM »

Hey CW was that last .410 you showed a folding one. I once had a 12 Gauge that looked just like that. Weighed like 3 1/2 Lbs and I only shot it about 5 times. Had the nastiest recoil I have ever experienced. John

cwlongshot · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2013, 10:10:17 AM »

Quote from: jpshaw on June 08, 2013, 01:36:21 AM

Hey CW was that last .410 you showed a folding one. I once had a 12 Gauge that looked just like that. Weighed like 3 1/2 Lbs and I only shot it about 5 times. Had the nastiest recoil I have ever experienced. John

Yes it folds nearly completely in half and is very very light. But being a 410 dosen't recoil hardly at all.

One of these days I will pull it out and take some better pictures. Its pretty neat.

CW

spooked · « **Reply #24 on:** June 08, 2013, 04:00:57 PM »

I have a 20 ga. folder like this only its in trap configuration has a high vent rib...

jpshaw · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2013, 01:36:55 AM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on June 08, 2013, 10:10:17 AM

Yes it folds nearly completely in half and is very very light. But being a 410 dosen't recoil hardly at all.

I remember it being a beautiful shotgun. It was just too light to be a 12 gauge. If it was a .410 I might still have it.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2013, 02:40:06 PM »

I found some more pics

CW