Older H&R with electroless nickel finish

[gschwertley]

Not long ago, I was in a local gun shop and was looking around.  In one of their racks, they had an older (pre NEF but made circa 1980) 20 gauge Topper shotgun with electroless nickel finish.  I'd never seen one of these before.  Are they kind of unusual?

[PHATINJUN]

I am not familiar with what you call "electroless nickel finish" is it shiney or more of a satin type stainless look if it's the latter they are still making them today. What was the ser.# letters?Kurt

[quickdtoo]

That finish is the same as used on current production nickel plated H&R frames. It was also available on the old H&R Handygun II.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/toppertrap.aspx

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/ShotgunsAndRifles/survivor.aspx

[gschwertley]

The one that I saw was made by the old Harrington & Richardson Co, not NEF, but it was late enough that it had the transfer bar safety.  I didn't notice what the SN prefix was.  This one had the dull electroless nickel finish, not shiny.  It was electroless nickel all over, barrel, baystate, the works.  The wood was hardwood with walnut finish.  It was in 20 gauge and had the Topper name on it.

[quickdtoo]

Current production aren't shiny either, they're bright, but matte. The lifter and striker(transfer bar) first appeared somewhere between 1975 and 1980.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?topic=62876.msg569922#msg569922

[gschwertley]

I was just looking at my copy of the Numrich Catalog under the H&R (pre NEF) parts listings for hammers.  Apparently, there were three different kinds of hammers used.  The Numrich Catalog says there is one part for all shotguns made up to serial number AR200,000; another one for guns in the serial number range from AR200001 to AT210900; and another for all shotguns from serial number AT210900 and up.  AR serial numbers date to 1977 and AT serial numbers date to 1979.  So, the information about the change-over taking place between 1975 and 1980 is right on.