H & R Firearms

H & R Firearms (Harrington & Richardson) is a Remington Arms-owned manufacturer of firearms, especially single-shot shotguns. They manufacture firearms under the New England Firearms and Harrington & Richardson trademarks.

History

H&R Factory Postcard

H&R Factory Ruin. Picture taken from Park Avenue, facing North, toward Chandler Street. (1986)

The original H&R firm was in business for over a century from 1871 to 1986.^[1] Its roots are deep in the mid-19th Century Connecticut Valley firearms industry where the Wesson brothers loom large in the history of American firearms innovation. Edward Wesson was a noted maker of fine percussion rifles. Daniel B. Wesson was the co founder of Smith & Wesson, and design genius behind many of their break-through innovations.

Baby brother Frank Wesson started his own firearms manufacturing firm in 1859, sharing an early patent with Nathan Harrington. Wesson produced his famous two trigger rifles and spur trigger pistols and pocket rifles. He started a brief partnership in 1871 with his nephew Gilbert Henderson Harrington, as Wesson & Harrington, until Harrington bought him out in 1874.

In 1875 Harrington and another former Wesson employee, William Augustus Richardson, formed the new Harrington & Richardson Company. In 1888 the firm was incorporated as The Harrington & Richardson Arms Company. The capital was $75,000. Harrington was president, Richardson was treasurer, and George F. Brooks was secretary. After the deaths of Harrington and Richardson in 1897 ^[2], Brooks became the manager and the company was held by heirs Edwin C. Harrington (Gilbert Harrington's son) and Mary A. Richardson (William Richardson's sister).

In 1894 the company opened a new facility on Park Avenue in Worcester, Massachusetts to respond to customer demand for their products.^[1] H&R was enjoying such success that the factory was expanded again after only a few years.

In the 1960s it was owned by the Rowe family, and warranty cards were sent to 'Industrial Rowe', Gardner, Massachusetts.^{[citation needed]} The old H&R company went out of business in 1986, and the building, a five story brick structure, which was located at the corner of Park Avenue and Chandler Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, was demolished. A Walgreens pharmacy now stands at this location.^[3]

A new company, H&R 1871, Inc., was formed in 1991 and started production of revolvers, single shot rifles and shotguns using old H&R designs. H&R 1871, Inc. assets were sold to H&R 1871, LLC, a Connecticut LLC owned by Marlin Firearms in 2000.^[1] Unfortunately for owners of old H&R firearms, neither Marlin nor H&R 1871 will have anything to do with the older H&R guns as regards to parts and information.^{[citation needed]}

The current production of H&R 1871 LLC includes single shot shotguns and rifles, pump shotguns, double barrel shotguns, and dog training blank revolvers.^[1] They also import self-loading 12-gauge shotguns sold under their name. According to noted web firearms author Chuck Hawks they are "These are simple, accurate, and reasonably reliable rifles."^[4] They have some of the least expensive rifles and shotguns available.^[5]

Locations

• The Wesson & Harrington company was at 18 Manchester Street Worcester, Mass. from 1871 until 1877.
• The Harrington & Richardson company was located at 31 Hermon Street Worcester, Mass from 1877 until 1894.
• William Richardson lived at 921 Main Street in Worcester.

Some of the other factory addresses that Harrington & Richardson used:

• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 243 Park Ave Worcester, Mass^[6]
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 320 Park Ave Worcester, Mass^[7]
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 439 Park Ave Worcester, Mass^[8]
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 484 Park Ave Worcester, Mass^[9]

Military contributions

H&R built flare guns during World War I, and a variety of firearms, including the Reising submachine gun during World War II. H&R was granted a contract to produce the M1 Garand rifle during the Korean War, although the rifles were not delivered until after the Armistice ending active hostilities. H&R manufactured many M16A1 rifles during the Vietnam War era.^[1]

Miscellany

H&R Vest-Pocket Self-Cocker(Early model)

H&R Vest-Pocket Self-Cocker(Later model)

H&R The American Double Action

• In 1880 the firm was named sole North American licensee for England's Anson & Deely double-barrel hammerless shotgun.
• In 1932, an H&R pistol was used to set a new U.S. pistol record, and would go on to become the most famous firearm of its kind-the U.S.R.A. single-shot target pistol. This pistol was so accurate that it was adopted by the U.S. Army Pistol Team.
• During World War I, H&R was an important producer of shoulder-type flare guns.
• During WW2 there were searchlights on the roof of the factory.^{[citation needed]}
• After WW2, returning GIs could bring captured weapons to the H&R factory to test fire them; Massachusetts was quite a different place then than it is now.^{[citation needed]}
• In the early 1980s, Thermoplastics Co., Inc. occupied a section of the factory.^{[citation needed]}
• Before being demolished in 1986, the bottom floor was being renovated for use as retail space (clothing store, etc).^{[citation needed]}
• Bartolomeo Vanzetti (see Sacco and Vanzetti) owned a break-top revolver made by H&R.^{[citation needed]}

Patents

• Patent # 1984677: H&R also made handcuffs. Patented in 1934 by Harrington and Richardson, H&R Super handcuffs were given by the USA to the Chinese government to assist in its civil war with communist forces. When the communists won and they ran out of handcuffs, it is believed that they simply made copies of the H&R handcuffs, improving the lock design in the process.^{[citation needed]}

• Patent # 1572262 (02/09/1926) issued to H&R.

• Patent # 2388766 (11/13/1945) issued to H&R.

Products

H&R The American Safety Hammer

H&R Victor

Solid Frame Revolvers

• Model 1 .32 or .38 Caliber, spur trigger single action revolver, 3" octagonal barrel, 5 or 7 shot fluted cylinder, flat frame, saw-handle square butt plain walnut or black checkered rubber grips, marked HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, WORCESTER, MASS. PAT. MAY 23, 1876. Approximately 3,000 were manufactured in 1877 and 1878.
• Model 1-1/2 .32 Caliber spur trigger, single action revolver, 5-shot cylinder (10,000 were manufactured between 1878 and 1883)
• Model 2-1/2 same as model 1-1/2 but 3.25" barrel and 7-shot cylinder (5,000 were manufactured between 1878 and 1883)
• Model 3-1/2 .38 rimfire Caliber 3.5" barrel, 5-shot cylinder (1,000 were manufactured)
• Model 1880 .32 or .38 S&W centerfire double action revolver, 3" round barrel, 5- or 6-shot cylinder (4,000 were manufactured between 1880 and 1883)
• Young America Double Action (small solid frame centerfire revolver) Manufactured 1884-1941 Calibers: .22 rimfire and .32 Standard barrel length was 2 1/2 with 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 inch extra cost options(1,500,000 were manufactured). First model manufactured 1884-1904 designed for black powder cartridge. Second model manufactured 1905-1941 designed for modern smokeless powder cartridge.
• Young America Bulldog (small solid frame rimfire revolver) Caliber: .32 rimfire
• Young America Safety Hammer (small solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .22 and .32
• Vest-Pocket Self-Cocker (same as Vest Pocket Safety Hammer but without half / full cocking sear) NOTE: Some trigger guards installed on this model had cutouts which would allow the installation of the half / full cocking sear. Early models had an 2 1/2 inch octagonal barrel with front sight, later models incorporated a short 1 inch round barrel, no front sight.
• Vest Pocket Safety Hammer (small solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer and shortened round barrel) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .22 and .32
• Victor (Unfluted cylinder, round barrel) Available in both small and large frame. Calibers: .22, .32 and .38
• The American Double Action (large solid frame centerfire revolver) Manufactured 1883-1941 Calibers: .32, .38 & .44 (850,000 were manufactured).
• H&R Bulldog (large solid frame rimfire revolver) Caliber: .32 rimfire
• Safety Hammer Double Action (large solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .32, .38 & .44 (manufactured between 1890 and 1941).
• H&R model 532
• H&R model 622 (.22 LR six shot revolver)
• H&R model 632 (.32 cal)
• H&R model 642
• H&R model 649 (.22LR & .22WMRF six shot, double or single action revolver)
• H&R Model 660 Gunfighter ( .22LR Revolver, Made in the 1960's)
• H&R Model 666 (.22 LR or. 22WMRF, double action with 6" barrel & 6-shot cylinder. Blued w/plastic grips. Manufactured from 1976 to 1982. Value from $25.00 to $100.00 USD, depending on condition. Source(s): 2006 Standard Catalog of Firearms by Ned Schwing.
• H&R Model 676
• H&R model 686 (.22 LR. & .22MAG)
• H&R model 700
• H&R model 732
• H&R model 733
• H&R model 829 (.22 LR nine shot revolver) Swingout 9 shot cylinder, double or single action
• H&R model 922 (.22 LR nine shot revolver)
• H&R model 923 (.22 LR nine shot revolver)
• H&R model 926 (.22 LR nine shot revolver)
• H&R model 929 (.22 LR nine shot revolver - blued finish)
• H&R model 930 (.22 LR & nine shot revolver - nickel finish)
• H&R model 933 (.22 LR nine shot revolver, manufactured 1930-1939. Formally known as the 'Hunter' model)
• H&R model 949 (.22 LR nine shot revolver)
• H&R model 999 (.22 LR nine shot revolver)

• H&R model Hunter (.22 LR nine shot revolver, Manufactured in 1929. From 1930-1939 this model was listed as Model 933)

NOTE: Pre-1898 solid frame revolvers were designed for use with black powder loads. Using smokeless powder rounds with these revolvers may cause damage to the revolver and/or injury to the user.

Top-Break (Also called Break-Top and Tip-Up) Revolvers

H&R Revolver of Top-Break design

H&R Revolver of Top-Break design with knife

• Premier Auto Ejecting (small frame centerfire revolver, break-top design) calibers: .22 (rimfire), .32, .38
• H&R model 925 "Defender" (.38ctg five shot revolver 4" barrel - blued finish)
• H&R Sportsman (.22 LR nine shot revolver 6" barrel - blued finish)
• Hammerless Auto Ejecting Second Model Patent date: Oct 4, 1887.

Third variation manufactured 1910 - 1913.

• H&R Knife Pistol (.32, .38 manufactured in 1901)

Pistols

H&R Self-Loading (Automatic) Pistol

H&R HK4 Pistol

• Self-Loading (Automatic) Pistol Caliber: .32 and Caliber .25 (When Harrington & Richardson decided to manufacture an automatic pistol, they sought the skills of William Whiting, Webley & Scott's chief designer. H&R had a licensed agreement with Webley & Scott to manufacture this firearm).
• HK4 Made in Germany by Heckler & Koch. From 1968-1973 HK 4 was imported and sold in US under the name of Harrington & Richardson model HK4.

Shotguns

• Pardner (single shot)
• Topper (single shot)
• Pinnacle (double barrel)
• Pardner Pump shotgun (manufactured by Hawk Industries Co. Ltd. in China)
• Excel Auto 5 shotgun
• H&R model 176 10 ga (single shot)
• H&R Ultraslug Hunter
• Handy-Gun (H&R made approximately 54,000 Handy-Guns from 1921 until the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) outlawed shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long and an overall length of 26 inches. The guns will be found in both .410 bore and 28 gauge. Some .410 bore barrels are choked, some are not, and no 28 gauge barrels are choked. All of the .410s had 2 ½ inch chambers except for the final 2000 which have three inch chambers.)

Rifles

• Handi-Rifle (single shot rifle) Calibers: 22LR 444 Marlin 22-250 Rem. 223 Rem. 243 Win. 25-06 Rem. 270 Win. 280 Rem. 30/06 Sprg. 308 Win. 35 Whelen 7mm/08 Rem.22 Hornet 30/30 Win. 44 Rem. Mag. 45/70 Gov't. 500 S&W 204 Ruger
• M1 Garand rifle (1953-1956) (Harrington & Richardson received its first contract on 3 April 1952 and began delivery in early 1953, ceasing M1 production in early 1956. Ordnance Department records indicate Harrington & Richardson delivered 428,600 M1 rifles. Harrington & Richardson, as a long time manufacturer of firearms, encountered few of the difficulties experienced by other companies contracted to produce the rifle. Rifles produced by Harrington & Richardson were exceptionally well finished in appearance. In addition to their name on the receiver heel, M1s manufactured by Harrington & Richardson may also be identified by serial number. Harrington & Richardson was assigned serial number ranges 4660001 through 4800000, 5488247 through 5793847, and 400 rifles numbered from 6034330 through 6034729. The major components, such as the barrel, bolt, hammer, operating rod, safety, and trigger housing were stamped with a numeric drawing number and the manufacturer's initials. Harrington & Richardson were marked "HRA.) ^[10].
• M14 rifle from 1959-1964; H&R was the largest of four (4) manufacturers (H&R, Winchester, The Springfield Armory, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TRW).
• M16A1 rifle under US military contract during the Vietnam War. H&R is one of the four companies to make M16 variants for the US Military (Colt, Fabrique National, General Motors Hydramatic Division, and H&R).
• T223 rifle (Built copy of the Heckler & Koch HK33 Assault Rifle under license)
• Reising submachine gun
• H&R Ultra Varmint (.22 WMR single shot rifle)

Collectability

To date, Firearms collectors have not shown much interest in collecting H&R firearms except the military weapons. A number of transferable M14s and M16A1s from the H&R auction in 1986 are in private collectors' hands.^{[citation needed]}

References

• Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Worcester County, Massachusetts: With a History of Worcester Society of Antiquity, By Ellery Bicknell Crane, Published by Lewis Pub., 1907, 1834 pages. (http://www.archive.org/details/historichomesins02cran)
• Worcester of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-eight: Fifty Years a City : a Graphic Representation of Its Institutions, Industries, and Leaders By Franklin Pierce Rice, Published by F.S. Blanchard, 1899, 809 pages.(http://www.archive.org/details/worcesterofeight00rice)

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "About Us" by Harrington & Richardson at the H&R 1871 web site
2. ^ Gilbert Henderson Harrington died on June 22, 1897. William Augustus Richardson died four months later on November 21, 1897.
3. ^ Walgreens Store locator
4. ^ "Harrington & Richardson 1871 Single Shot Rifles" by Chuck Hawks
5. ^ "The New England Firearms Handi-Rifle" by Chuck Hawks NOTE: Username and password needed to access this site
6. ^ "243 Park Avenue"Advertisement showing 243 Park Ave as the address for H&R
7. ^ "320 Park Avenue"Letter from H&R showing 320 Park Ave as the address for H&R
8. ^ "439 Park Avenue"Advertisement showing 439 Park Ave as the address for H&R
9. ^ "484 Park Avenue"Advertisement showing 484 Park Ave as the address for H&R
10. ^ "Excerpted from The M1 Garand: Owner’s Guide copyright 1994 by Scott A. Duff"

External links

• H & R Firearms company site
• Worcester: Places of the past
• Wesson and Harrington 1871