H&R 16ga "Topper" Color Case Hardened - Couldn't Say 'No'!

[ESquared]

Was browsing the range's pretty extensive collection, mainly to heft and point a Brass Henry Carbine, which was fantastic, when I wandered a couple of display cases down and spotted this Harrington & Richardson 16 gauge single shot "Topper" model with a really nice CCH receiver.
I grew up learning to shoot with a single shot 16 ga., which, unfortunately, has escaped our family's grasp (nobody claims to know what happened to it), and I'm aware that this is a dinosaur of a load, but this one was in such good shape that I had to hold it.
Almost no wear on the stocks (which I'm guessing are birch) and the receiver is in fantastic shape.
The rollmark says it's a "Topper" model, but there's no model number, which my research says there should be.
The S/N is BA616XXX, which is also proving hard to research, so if any of you have any knowledge or can point me in the right direction, I'd love to be able to find out more about it.
Anyway, I realize they were "budget" guns in their day, but the nostalgia bug bit me (and I'm now a sucker for CCH finishes), so, $150 out-the-door later, I now have a nice project gun for the next few months until turkey season rolls around.
Comments and assists in researching it further welcome!

[PT7]

Ah, that was a quick buy, ESquared. FJ does have a lot of nice choiceas in their display cases. It's a good thing for my wallet that I don't get there as often as you do.

Very cool-looking Topper …. Congrats!!
Of course, I'm totally partial to that wood your 16ga carries. Looks really good for a pre-owned. And definitely the CCH colors are great. Puts the topping on the Topper!

I have a friend on Shotgun Forums, who is a 16-ga aficionado, and has a small collection of shotguns in that caliber. Really is passionate about shooting them, too. Always enjoyed his posts and photos.

Thanks for your post.
PT7

[RanchRoper]

Nice!!

[BigAl52]

I have one of those in a 12 gauge and had the barrel shortened to 18 inch for a home defense gun. But the CCH on it is also good.

[ESquared]

What would be a good place to start patterning this "Modified Choke" barrel to see if it will be okay for turkey? 30 yds max, I'm thinking...

[ESquared]

I have one of those in a 12 gauge and had the barrel shortened to 18 inch for a home defense gun. But the CCH on it is also good.

The way I'm measuring this barrel, it's 27.5", but I don't see that length listed anywhere in any of the archives I'm finding about the H&R Toppers. Maybe they rounded up, because I'm sure it wasn't modified. Why would you take 1/2" off of a 28" barrel?

[BigAl52]

IMG_1016.JPG

Heres mine on the kitchen sink. Mine was full choke now its wide open 18 inch. No front bead. Single shot coach gun

[ESquared]

Looks familiar! Did you re-finish the stocks? They look really good - walnut?

[BigAl52]

No they are untouched. I think I paid like 75 or 80 dollars for the gun.

[357Mag]

Was browsing the range's pretty extensive collection, mainly to heft and point a Brass Henry Carbine, which was fantastic, when I wandered a couple of display cases down and spotted this Harrington & Richardson 16 gauge single shot "Topper" model with a really nice CCH receiver.
I grew up learning to shoot with a single shot 16 ga., which, unfortunately, has escaped our family's grasp (nobody claims to know what happened to it), and I'm aware that this is a dinosaur of a load, but this one was in such good shape that I had to hold it.
Almost no wear on the stocks (which I'm guessing are birch) and the receiver is in fantastic shape.
The rollmark says it's a "Topper" model, but there's no model number, which my research says there should be.
The S/N is BA616XXX, which is also proving hard to research, so if any of you have any knowledge or can point me in the right direction, I'd love to be able to find out more about it.
Anyway, I realize they were "budget" guns in their day, but the nostalgia bug bit me (and I'm now a sucker for CCH finishes), so, $150 out-the-door later, I now have a nice project gun for the next few months until turkey season rolls around.
Comments and assists in researching it further welcome!

That looks Cool...I wish Henry had color case as a option for all their single shots

[Redthies]

Neat little gun E. If it were mine I’d consider stripping the furniture and staining with a darker brow. CCH really looks amazing next to medium or darker wood.

[Rifletom]

Evan, I like that Topper a lot! It has that "cool factor" going for it. Yours and Al's. Now that I have my 1873 Pietta on the way, I'm going to look for one of those Toppers. Enablers! Great find E.

[Travlin]

I have an H&R Shikari 45-70 with a 28 inch barrel that looks like that. I bought it many years ago brand new for $65. I wanted to have a 45-70 rifle and that was a very financially easy way to do it.

[Rifletom]

OMG, that thing must wallop when fired! Yeow!

[Grunt67]

Just now noticed this. I have one like it or very similar. H&R 16 ga. 30" BBL full choke. Found it at a gun show a few yrs ago. Must have been a safe queen. Very good shape, tight, shoots good. 16 has always been my fav. I ran the model & ser #, it was made in 1947. 4 yrs younger than me, LOL. Paid $130 for mine. Winchesters of the same ilk were $300 or more. I'm happy.