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A friend asked me about some info on a 20 ga double hammergun but I could not find any model in the Blue Book. He said it had Harrigton & Richardson Worcester, MA on the gun. Anyone have any info on a gun like this one. Thanks, Dwight

I examined a H&R 28 ga hammergun a few years ago hoping it would be a real "find". Unfortunately it was not close to the quality of the ~1890 A&D models. If it is a 20g version of this model, I would not be enthused. Decent gun, but only an unusual "shooter".
best regards,
JBP

As JB Patton stated, they are not very high quality. I have seen only a few. The problem is that Harrington Richardson made mostly hand guns and single shot shotguns. Their sxs offerings are mostly not thought of. Roy has never recorded one in the Auction reports on this site.

Pete

I must respectfully disagree with the above posts. Disagree as far as the quality of the H&R hammer goes.
Prior to the H&R production of A&D guns, they built some very fine and sound guns. Popular opinion is that they were pistol manufacturers and only built a few SxSs as a side line. This is a myth and has no historical validity.
Three "styles" of SxS guns were built in the early days.The side lock version with the hammers, in removable discs, is a very fine gun.
The reason that we do not see many at auction is twofold. There were not so many built and the owners of them DO NOT SELL them.
I own both a 10 and 12 gauge example and treasure both of them.
I may just present the 10 gauge to a young friend as a first turkey gun. Would I give an inferior quality gun to a young shooter that has a lifetime to both shoot and then pass on this wonderful heritage to other youth?
I think not !!
Best,
John

In researching competition pigeon and trap shooters of the late 1800s, I have found evidence of extensive use of the Harrington and Richardson shotguns by serious competitors. I have no idea whether they were Anson and Deely action guns or hammer guns, but the early H&R guns I have examined have been very high quality. The little 28 and .410 hammer guns I have examined have been a different matter. They appear to be of hardware store quality. There may be others of higher quality, but I have never seen one.

Hi John!
My experience with the 28 g H&R gun was from a different era than I suspect your 12 & 10g guns are from . The gun I reference was made post 1900, I can't be sure , but I think the marks indicated a manufacture date ~ 1920? Definitely NOT similar in quality to those Pre 1900 shotguns.
Kind of like an Italian Charles Daly to a Lindner !

best regards,
JBP

Hello JBP:
I rather thought that this was the case.
Got a chuckle from your last sentence.
Best,
John

John, what were the Models of the hammer guns you have seen built by H&R prior to their A&D guns built ca. 1880-84 ? I have seen a dozen or so "early " hammer guns and they were nowhere near the quality of the A&D guns, which , with the 1883 Colt, were among the finest quality guns built in America. Later H&R hammer guns were of similar , rather poor, quality like the ones made very early before their A&D guns.

Post some pictures

Daryl:
I was referring to the "sidelock" guns of that period around, or a little later,the time of the A&D guns.
I agree that the very early ones were not fine and certainly agree that the 1883 Colt and the Harrington and Richardson A&D guns are possibly the best box locks built in this country. Have stated that here more than once.
Best,
John