Question about H & R shotguns

[Steve H]

A friend has an old H & R " Topper Model 48 in 28 gauge. s/n is 16211 Can anyone tell me the age of value of the gun? He claims it is in "excellent condition" and he thinks his grandfather bought the gun in the early 1900's. I can't find any s/n info on the H & R website.

 

[DaleCooper51]

I found this year chart on graybeards forum. It only goes back to 1940 and all of them begin with a letter.

Year starting S.N. Prefix
1940 A
1941 B
1942 C
1943 D
1944 E
1945 F
1946 G
1947 H
1948 I
1949 J
1950 K
1951 L
1952 M
1953 N
1954 P
1955 R
1956 S
1957 T
1958 U
1958 V
1960 W
1961 X
1962 Y
1963 Z
1964 AA
1965 AB
1966 AC
1967 AD
1968 AE
1969 AF
1970 AG
1971 AH(snap on foecap)
1972 AJ
1973 AL
1974 AM
1975 AN
1976 AP
1977 AR
1978 AS
1979 AT
1980 AU
1981 AV
1982 AW
1983 AX
1984 AY
1985 AZ

Second letter of prefix
A= 1986
B= 1987
C= 1988
D= 1989
E= 1990
F= 1991
G= 1992
H= 1993
I= 1994
J= 1995
k= 1996
L=1997
M=1998
N=1999
P=2000
R=2001
S=2002
T=2003
U=2004
V=2005
W=2006
X=2007
Y=2008
Z=2009

The first letter N = NEF, H = H&R, the second letter denotes year of manufacture.
You're looking for a N or later if you want to be able to order barrels marked with * an asterisk on the accessory barrel page.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

According to 28th ed. Blue Book:

Harrington & Richardson, Inc.
Topper - 12, 16, 20 ga., or .410 bore, single shot, top or side lever break open action, with ejector. 10 different variations of this shotgun, all are very similiar and values run too close to differentiate.
Mfg. 1946-discontinued.

This model was also designated the Model 48, Model 158 (not in 28 ga.), Model 162 Buck gun with open sights, and Model 198 (28 ga. or .410 bore only).

100% $145
98% $125
95% $100
90% $85
80% $70
70% $55
60% $45

Hope this helps.

.

 

[Davandron]

"Old" Shotguns

I thought my Topper 162 was from my grandfather after the war... heck it sure looks like an old design! I called H&R and they said "Made in 1981." Talked with friends and family who confirmed it was a cheap deer gun for the areas / times when rifles aren't allowed.

That said, she is very pretty, fun to hold, hard kicking beauty. An excellent example of a gun that is meant to be shot.