Requesting Info on H&R

[19-3Ben]

I just bought an H&R shotgun and was hoping to get a little info on it, since older shotguns are not my area of expertise.

It is 12 gauge. from tip of barrel to back of chamber measures approx 30"
It is stamped Topper M48. I know H&R stll produces the Topper model, but i don't know what "M48" is, or indicates.
It is marked Harrington & Richardson. No mention of NEF anywhere.
It does not say if it is 2 3/4" or 3" chamber.
H&R's typical blued barrel, and case hardened receiver. The exposed hammer also looks blued.
Firing pin is in the frame (not on hammer), and is held in with a screw that screws in on top of the receiver.
This is the WEIRD part. The thing to open it is not the usual square tab that you pull back like I see on most H&R's. It is a switch that you move to the side like on nicer O/U's and singles trap guns that I have shot.
It has a Pachmayr "White Line" recoil pad on the back.
There is no visible screw in the wood on the forend. How the hell is it attached?
It locks up tight as can be. I'm really impressed with it. I'd say that when it closes up, it feels as solid as the BT-99 i used to shoot trap last year. Of course that gun had many 10's of K's of rounds through it. But still, very very solid lock-up. No loseness at all.
Serial number is F16XXX

It is in magnificent condition, and incidentally, at $70 including tax, needless to say, I am thrilled.
I plan to call H&R tomorrow to ask for date of manufacture based on serial number, but any info at all that you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Can you tell me possibly how to disassemble the thing? I can get the recoil pad, and buttstock off. But what about taking down the barrel and forend?

Any ideas on when this is made?

 

[Otony]

Pull the forend off, just peel it away from the barrel starting at the tip. It has a spring clip arrangement holding it together.

You have, in my estimation, the best of the singles produced by H&R. Steel trigger guard and forend iron, top lever release, and more than likely walnut stocks.

I have a 20 gauge M48 that I was thrilled to pick up for 100 clams. Enjoy, great gun, great deal.

 

[19-3Ben]

Awesome!!!! Thank you for the tip! I love this thing. It is really absolutely beautiful, and I am trilled to have it. The stock does indeed look like Walnut, and it is beautifully figured. I think i am going to do something to the finish to really bring out the figure of the wood. Nothing to "Bubba" the gun of course. but perhaps a light sanding, and a couple layers of oil with very fine sanding in between each. Something like that.
I just removed the forend as you had suggested. It worked perfectly. It also allowed me to open up te gun and see just how insanely easy it is to break the gun down. Really impressive.

The bore is like a mirror (literally. it is unbelievable.), and the finish is great. I can tell it has had a couple of knocks, and the bottom of the receiver is worn as though someone carried it a lot. But the internals are all oiled very nicely, no muck or crap in them. the bore is perfect. I would guess it was a gun that was carried a lot in the woods, but well cared for, and rarely ever shot. For $70 including tax, I'd say this was the best value gun i have ever bought. I LOVE it, and I haven't even shot it yet!!!
and BTW, it also happens to swing very freely and naturally for me. I can really transition beautifully with it. what a great gun!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Your $70 is well spent.

You've one of the best singles made. Real walnut, real steel, no synthetics.

Even if it will take Maggie Numbs stick to the shorter shells. That weighs way less than 6 lbs and even with a Pachmyer pad will tear you a new one with heavy loads.

The minimalist's shotgun. Enjoy....