Author Topic: Topper confusion! (Read 605 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** November 22, 2004, 10:15:53 AM »

I just got an email reply from H&R concerning using my H&R(not NEF) Topper frame with any of their rifle barrels, their reply was that it can only be used with shotgun barrels, yet I see Topper .30-30 rifles mentioned here and for sale at internet gun sales and auctions. Is the Topper .30-30 they refer to the older Topper ## models or the newer NEF Topper?

Thanks,

Tim

Major · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2004, 10:49:34 AM »

I would bet they are talking about the old Topper Shotgun action from years ago. I had a Topper 12-guage that also had a .30-30 barrel back in the 1980s. That is why they want a serial number before they will even talk about adding barrels to your action. Those older actions just wont take the stress loading from most rifle ammunition that is out there.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2004, 11:31:18 AM »

That's what I think, too....this one is an old one, says Harrington & Richardson, not New England Firearms like my newer Handis and Pardners have on em. If the old ones were sold with .30-30 barrels, you'd think this one would be ok for .30-30, also. :?

Major · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2004, 11:45:23 AM »

While it would probably be OK, Marlin is not willing to take responsibility for something the old companies made way back when out of less desirable and weaker metals that may be in their actions. They will only work on actions they made after they bought out NEF and H&R and I don't blame them one bit for that.

For what it is worth, years ago I had an old 12-gauge Topper made by H&R that was so old it didnt even have a serial number on it. If I remember right serial numbers became required on firearms in the 1968 firearms control bill. Who knows how old my old Topper was since I got it used. The Topper I had that had the .30-30 barrel did have a serial number so it was made some time after 1968 but again, who knows when of out of what materials. I wish I still had both of those old Toppers.

Fred M · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2004, 12:42:21 PM »

Quick.
Some years ago I had an old 12 g Topper H&R given to me with a 30" barrel. It was badly dilapidated. I fixed it all up and came up with the bright idea to have my gun smith make an insert chambered for the 25Hunter HBR cartridge the insert was a perfect fit.

The plan was to fire form the BR cases without a bullet, using 700x and cream of wheat these loads produce a good pressure and nicely shape the case. After fireing a couple of loads the cases would elongate that they were totally unusable.The Topper action could not take it, had too much play and stretch.

Ther gun was reverted back to a 12 gauge with a 26" cylinder barrel, just murder on pheasants but kick like a mule. The gun is still in occasional use on the farm. But is is definatly not rifle material.

marv · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2004, 01:01:09 PM »

Quickdtoo, H&R started put serail numbers on there shotguns before
the 1968 gun law was passed. I don't just when, But some time in the early 40's I think. Marv.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2004, 01:12:58 PM »

Now I'm really confused!! :? The serial number is HTxxxxxx , according to the serial number chart in the FAQs, it was made in 2003!!! What the?? It is definately a cast frame, though and nickle or bright plated, FWIW. Maybe Bigborefan can shed some light on this?

Major · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2004, 02:27:48 PM »

Marv is probably right about when the serial numbers started. I just know I have had two old ones. One with and one without numbers.

Now that you know that your Topper was made in 2003 then it is a SB1 frame and Marlin will not add rifle barrels to it. While you might get away with a .30-30 on that frame if you added the barrel yourself (because of all the older ones out there), I would lean toward the side of safety and get a SB2 frame. That way you know you will be OK and Marlin will stand behind it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2004, 02:52:21 PM »

I have 4 SB2 frames, just wanted to get some use out of the Topper frame if I can, and it's kinda purdy!! :wink:

Paul5388 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2004, 04:43:24 PM »

Quick,

If it is really a "HT" it is a newer model. Even though the original H&R started using serial numbers in 1940 starting with the letter "A", they never went past "AY" used in 1982.

I currently have two lower pressure barrels on shotgun receivers, a .45/70 and a .357 Mag.

I think H&R would have stopped making rifle barrels for the shotgun actions if there was a problem with the receivers. After all, they started Topper rifle production at least as early as the 1950's, so there has been plenty of time for problems to have manifested themselves.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2004, 05:09:54 PM »

Thanks, everyone! :wink: