The original H&R firm was in business for over a century from 1871 to 1986.
Frank Wesson, brother of Daniel B. Wesson who co-founded Smith & Wesson, started a firearms manufacturing firm in 1859, sharing an early patent with Nathan Harrington. Wesson produced two trigger rifles and spur trigger pistols and pocket rifles/shotguns popular for short length holster models such as the discontinued topper compact pocket shotguns. 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. Their original capital investment was $75,000. Harrington was president, Richardson was treasurer, and George F. Brooks was secretary. After the deaths of Harrington and Richardson in 1897, 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. The factory was expanded again after a few years. The firearms produced through this time to 1911 carry extreme value as original antiquities. Original rifles and shotguns from these dates are scarce because of their limited production and discontinued parts.
In 1950 the company opened a new facility on Cockburn street in Drummondville, Québec, Canada.
In the 1960s H&R was acquired by the Kidde corporation and run by the Rowe family. Warranty cards were sent to 'Industrial Rowe', Gardner, Massachusetts. The original H&R company went out of business in 1986, and the building was demolished.
A new company, H&R 1871, Inc., was formed in 1991 and started production of revolvers, single-shot rifles and shotguns using original H&R designs. H&R 1871, Inc. assets were subsequently sold to H&R 1871, LLC., a Connecticut LLC owned by Marlin Firearms Company in November 2000. H&R 1871, LLC. did not extend their product warranty to H&R guns made prior to the LLC's takeover.
Marlin, including all its H&R assets, was later acquired by Remington Arms Company in December, 2007. H&R 1871, LLC production was moved to Ilion, N.Y. (the site of Remington's original manufacturing plant) in late 2008, while their corporate offices are co-located with Remington Arms in Madison, N.C. (HR1871.com and Remington.com). Remington, along with its Marlin and H&R subsidiaries, are now part of the Freedom Group. H&R 1871 production ceased 27 February 2015.
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 has used:
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 243 Park Ave, Worcester, Mass.Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 320 Park Ave, Worcester, Mass.Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 439 Park Ave, Worcester, Mass.Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 484 Park Ave, Worcester, Mass.H&R 1871, Inc., Industrial Rowe, Gardner, Mass.H&R 1871, LLC., P.O. Box 1871, Madison, N.C. 27025 (corporate offices)H&R 1871, LLC. 14 Hoefler Ave, Ilion, N.Y. 13357 (production facilities)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 rifle during the Korean War, but the first deliveries of the rifles were not made until after the armistice. H&R manufactured the M14 rifle during that rifle's production cycle (1959–1964). H&R also manufactured M16A1 rifles during the Vietnam War and is one of only four manufacturers (along with Colt, Fabrique National, & GM Hydramatic Division) to have ever made an official M16 variant for the U.S. Military. Due to their relative scarcity, all H&R military weapons are considered highly desirable by collectors.
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 went 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.Patent # 1984677: H&R also made handcuffs. Patented in 1934 by Harrington and Richardson.Patent # 1572262 (02/09/1926) issued to H&R.Patent # 2388766 (11/13/1945) issued to H&R.Solid Frame (All models discontinued)
Model 1 .32 caliber 7-shot or .38 Caliber 5-shot, spur trigger single-action revolver, 3-inch octagonal barrel, 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-inch barrel and 7-shot cylinder (5,000 were manufactured between 1878 and 1883)Model 3 1⁄2 .38 rimfire Caliber 3.5-inch barrel, 5-shot cylinder (1,000 were manufactured)Model 1880 .32 or .38 S&W centerfire double-action revolver, 3-inch 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 inches, with 4 1⁄2-inch 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 rimfireYoung America Safety Hammer (small solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .22 and .32Vest-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 a 2 1⁄2-inch octagonal barrel with front sight, later models incorporated a short 1-inch round barrel, no front sight. Calibers: .22 and .32Vest Pocket Safety Hammer (small solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer and shortened round barrel) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .22 and .32Victor (Unfluted cylinder, round barrel) Available in both small and large frame. Calibers: .22, .32 and .38The 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 rimfireSafety Hammer Double Action (large solid frame centerfire revolver with bobbed hammer) Safety hammer patented 1887 Calibers: .32, .38 & .44 (manufactured between 1890 and 1941).NEF Model R22 (.22 LR 9-shot revolver, .22 WMR 6-shot, .32 H&R Mag 5-shot)H&R model 532H&R model 603 (.22 WMRF six-shot pull pin revolver, Blued, Slab side barrel)H&R model 604 (.22 WMRF six-shot pull pin revolver, Blued, Round barrel)H&R model 622 (.22 LR six-shot pull pin revolver)H&R model 623 (.22 LR six-shot pull pin revolver, same as 622 but in brushed nickel)H&R model 632 (.32 cal)H&R model 642 (.22 WMRF six shots)H&R model 649 (.22 LR & .22 WMR six-shot, double- or single-action revolver)H&R Model 660 Gunfighter ( .22LR Revolver, Made in the 1960s)H&R Model 666 (.22 LR or .22 WMR, double-action with 6-inch barrel and 6-shot cylinder. Blued w/plastic grips. Manufactured from 1976 to 1982.)H&R Model 676 (.22 LR or .22 WMR, double-action with 12-inch barrel and 6-shot cylinder. Blued w/wood grips. Manufactured from 1976 to 1980.)H&R model 686 (.22 LR & .22 MAG)H&R model 700H&R model 722 (.22 LR, singe-action with 6-inch octagonal barrel and 7-shot cylinder. Blued w/wood grips. Formally known as the "Trapper" model)H&R model 732 (.32 long six-shot swing cylinder)H&R model 733 ( same as model 732 but in brushed nickel)H&R model 777 Super SportsmanH&R model 829 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver) Swingout 9-shot cylinder, double- or single-action)H&R model 900 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver) Removable 9-shot cylinder, double- or single action, 2 1⁄2", 4", and 6" barrels availableH&R model 922 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver)H&R model 922-C (.22 LR nine-shot revolver) Same as 922 but with nickel finish.H&R model 923 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver)H&R model 925 (.32 cal. revolver)H&R model 926 (.22 WRF 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 925 (.38 cal. revolver)H&R model 939 Ultra Sidekick (.22 LR double-action revolver) Introduced in 1956.H&R model 949 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver)H&R model 950 (.22 LR nine-shot revolver, nickel)H&R model 999 (.22 WRF nine-shot revolver)H&R model Hunter (.22 LR nine-shot revolver, Manufactured in 1929. From 1930 to 1939 this model was listed as Model 933)Note: Many of the above guns are stamped as "H&R .22 Special" / ".22 W.R.F." or ".22 Winchester Rim Fire"
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 (All models discontinued)
H&R model 925 "Defender" (.38ctg five-shot revolver 4-inch barrel – blued finish)H&R Sportsman (.22 LR nine-shot revolver 6-inch barrel – blued finish)Manual Ejecting Model .32 S&W or .38 S&W cal., 5-shot (.32 cal.) or 6 -shot (.38 cal.), manual ejecting rod under barrel, hard rubber grip panels with Floral design, nickel finish, marked on top of barrel with company name and address only, 3 1⁄4 in. barrel, modified American Double Action mechanism and frame. Mfg. 1885–1889.Manual Ejecting Second Model .32 S&W or .38 S&W cal., 5- or 6-shot, new frame (same as Second Model Auto Ejecting), 3 1/4 in. barrel, hard rubber grips with target logo, nickel or blue finish, one patent date marking, very rare. Mfg. 1890 – disc.Top-Break Auto Ejecting .32 S&W or .38 S&W cal., 5-shot (.38 cal.) or 6-shot cylinder, hard rubber grip panels with floral design, 3 1⁄4 in. barrel, modified American Double Action mechanism and frame, nickel finish, First Variation marked on top of barrel with company name and address only and two guide rods for ejector (1885-1886), Second Variation patent date 10-4-87 marked on top of barrel along with company name and address, extractor does not have extra guide rods (1887-1889). Mfg. 1885-1889.Top-Break Automatic Ejecting Model 1 1⁄2 .32 S&W or .38 S&W cal., different double-action mechanism, trigger, trigger guard and hammer, 5-shot (.38 S&W cal.) or 6-shot (.32 S&W cal.), new frame, nickel or blue finish, hard rubber grips with target logo, 3 1⁄4 in. barrel, marked with two patent date 10-04-87 and 12-25-88 (only revolver to use this date), rare. Mfg. 1889-1890H&R Knife Pistol (.32, .38 manufactured in 1901)H&R 'Handy-Gun' (single-shot top-break pistol, .410 bore, 28 gauge, 8-inch or 12 1⁄4-inch barrel) manufactured 1920-1934H&R 'Handy-Gun' (single-shot top-break pistol, .22 rimfire and 32-20, 12 1⁄4-inch barrel) manufactured 1933-34(All models discontinued).
H&R Self-loading (Automatic) Pistol. Calibers .32 ACP and .25 ACP.HK4. From 1968 to 1973, Heckler & Koch's HK4 was imported from Germany and sold in the U.S. with Harrington & Richardson model HK4 branding.(All models discontinued).
Pardner shotgun (Single-shot). Available in gauges 10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and in .410 bore. Youth/compact models available in short barrel 8-, 10-, and 12-inch versions prior to 1911, Turkey, Tamer, and Survivor models available in addition to the standard Pardner.Topper shotgun (Single-shot). Available in gauges 12, 16, 20, and in .410 bore. Original models of scarce production in Youth/compact short barrel classic models, Deluxe, Classic, and Trap models available in addition to the standard Topper.Ultra-Slug shotgun (Single-shot). Gauges 12, 20 available. Rifled barrels. Compact model available with 8,10, and 12-inch barrel for pre-1911 models. Post 1911 productions not available in compact version.Pardner Pump shotgun (Imported). (In production). Branded NEF (New England Firearms). 12 and 20 gauges available. Manufactured by Hawk Industries, China. Youth/compact, Turkey, and Waterfowl models available in addition to the standard Pardner Pump.Excell Auto shotgun (Discontinued). Branded NEF (New England Firearms). 12 gauge only. Manufactured in Turkey. There were waterfowl and turkey models in addition to the standard black synthetic Excell. Also came in a combo pack with both a standard and rifled barrel. Came with 4 choke tubes: IC, M, IM and F. Discontinued due to lack of parts availability.Pinnacle (Double barrel). (Discontinued).Gamester (Bolt action). Gauges 16 and 12. Example: Model 349(All models discontinued).
Handi-Rifle (Single-shot): Calibers: .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .22 LR, .22 WMR, .22-250 Remington, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield .30-30 Winchester, .444 Marlin, .45 LC, .45/70 Government, and .500 S&W. Also available with pairs of handgun/rifled slug barrels in .357 Magnum/20-gauge and .44 Magnum/12-gauge. Standard, Synthetic, Superlight, Ultra Varmint, Ultra Hunter, Buffalo Classic, CR Carbine, and Sportster models available. A version with a 16" threaded barrel chambered in .300 AAC Blackout is made for Advanced Armament Corporation.H&R 330: Made from 1982 to 1972, this model is an FN Mauser action that Harrington and Richardson bought as surplus and produced into sporterized hunting rifles using Douglas barrels and conventional stocks, chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum.H&R M12 5200: A competitor to the Winchester Model 52 series rifle. Bolt action .22 LR single-shot rifle. Featured a heavy 28-inch barrel of blued steel, an oversized, walnut stock with an accessory rail in the fore end.H&R Model 700: .22 Magnum semi auto rifleH&R Model 765/766 'Pioneer': Produced as the 766 from 1949 to 1950 in a nickel finish while the 765 was made between 1950 to 1951 with a blued finish. .22 S/L/LR, single shot bolt action.H&R Model 760 '': .22LR Produced in 1967,1968 and 1971. single shot automatic.(All models discontinued).
Reising Submachine Gun: Produced during WWII.M1: 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 rifles are marked HRA on all marked parts except the receivers, which were stamped H&R ARMS CO.M14: H&R had the largest contract (1959–1964) of four manufacturers (H&R, Winchester, The Springfield Armory, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TRW)), to produce the M14 rifle.M16A1: Working under another U.S. military contract during the Vietnam War, H&R is one of only four companies (Colt, Fabrique National, General Motors Hydramatic Division, and H&R), to have made M16 variants for the U.S. military.T223 Rifle: Licensed copy of the Heckler & Koch HK33 Assault Rifle.
