I've never fully understood the Topper line anyway. Back in my younger days I had an H&R Topper that was on the same quality level as todays Partner. Now they are one on the "higher end" shotguns with the bright frames and I don't know the status of H&R at all. I thought they went under and turned it over to NEF.
The NEF name was discontinued 2-3 years ago. The management hierarchy looks like this, if I recall correctly:
Freedom Group > Remington Arms, Inc. > Marlin Firearms > H&R 1871
The Freedom Group is the umbrella management company over some other firearms companies, but I think the above reflects H&R's particular management chain.
I think it was just a matter of the Topper not being the seller the Pardner is. It (the Topper) was priced just a little higher and, in that price range, most people probably just opted for the Pardner. Also, I believe the new Remington 1911 is produced in Ilion, NY (not positive but I think that's the case). I wonder if production space became an issue??? In any case, I can't imagine we won't see H&R single shotguns, in the form of the Pardner, for quite a while yet. That entry-level market niche will always be there and the Pardner/Handi-Rifle are perfect offerings to fill it: inexpensive to make and to buy; easy for any novice to use; solid reputation stretching over many decades; least likely of any firearms to be affected by foolish legislators. Hard to see them going away. JMOs, of course.
