Harrington & Richardson

H & R 1871, LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Firearms
Founded	1871
Headquarters	Ilion, N.Y. (manuf.) & Madison, NC, (admin.) USA
Key people	Nathan Harrington, William Augustus Richardson, George F. Brooks
Products	Single-shot, pump-action, and semi-auto shotguns. Single-shot rifles.
Website	H&R Website

H & R 1871, LLC (Harrington & Richardson) is a manufacturer of firearms and a subsidiary of the Freedom Group. H&R is particularly well-known for their single-shot shotguns and rifles. They manufacture firearms under the Harrington & Richardson and New England Firearms trademarks.

History

File:H&R Factory Postcard.jpg

H&R Factory Postcard

File:H&R Factory ruin.jpg

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. 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.

Younger 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. 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 to respond to customer demand for their products. H&R was enjoying such success that the factory was expanded again after only a few years.

In the 1960s H&R was acquired by the Rowe family, and warranty cards were sent to 'Industrial Rowe', Gardner, Massachusetts. The original 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.

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. These were turbulent years in the firearms industry and H&R 1871, Inc. assets were subsequently sold to H&R 1871, LLC., a Connecticut LLC owned by Marlin Firearms Company in November 2000. Marketing its products under the brand names of Harrington & Richardson and New England Firearms, H&R 1871, LLC is currently the largest manufacturer of single shot shotguns and rifles in the world and is a significant presence, in terms of overall sales, in the U.S. firearms industry. Unfortunately for owners of older H&R firearms, H&R 1871, LLC. has chosen not to extend their factory 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 is now part of the Freedom Group.

H&R's current product offerings include the single-shot Topper and Pardner shotguns, the single-shot Handi-Rifles, the NEF-branded Pardner Pump shotguns (imported), and the NEF-branded Excell semi-auto shotguns (imported). Best known for their single-shot firearms, which are typically accorded descriptions like "accurate", "reliable", and "cost-effective" by their fans, H&R's rifles and shotguns continue to be popular choices among hunters and outdoorsmen.

Locations

• The Wesson & Harrington company was at 18 Manchester Street Worcester, MA. from 1871 until 1877.
• The Harrington & Richardson company was located at 31 Hermon Street Worcester, MA. 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, MA.
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 320 Park Ave Worcester, MA.
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 439 Park Ave Worcester, MA.
• Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., 484 Park Ave Worcester, MA.

and

• H&R 1871, Inc., Industrial Rowe, Gardner, MA.

and

• H&R 1871, LLC., P.O. Box 1871, Madison, N.C. 27025 (corporate offices)
• H&R 1871, LLC. 14 Hoefler Ave, Ilion, NY 13357 (production facilities)

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 first deliveries of the rifles were not made until after the Armistice ended active hostilities. H&R was the largest manufacturer of 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 collectable.

Miscellaneous

File:Old self cocker.jpg

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

File:H&R self cocker.jpg

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.
• 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.
• In the early 1980s, Thermoplastics Co., Inc. occupied a section of the factory.
• Before being demolished in 1986, the bottom floor was being renovated for use as retail space (clothing store, etc.).
• Bartolomeo Vanzetti (see Sacco and Vanzetti) owned a break-top revolver made by H&R.

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.

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

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

Products

Revolvers

Solid Frame (All models discontinued)

• 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 1½ .32 Caliber spur trigger, single action revolver, 5-shot cylinder (10,000 were manufactured between 1878 and 1883)
• Model 2½ same as model 1½ but 3.25" barrel and 7-shot cylinder (5,000 were manufactured between 1878 and 1883)
• Model 3½ .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 2½ with 4½ and 5½ 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 2½ 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 (.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" barrel and 6-shot cylinder. Blued w/plastic grips. Manufactured from 1976 to 1982. Value from US$25.00 to US$100.00, depending on condition.
• H&R Model 676
• H&R model 686 (.22 LR & .22 MAG)
• 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 (All models discontinued)

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

(All models discontinued).

H&R Self-Loading (Automatic) Pistol

H&R HK4 Pistol

• H&R Self-loading (Automatic) Pistol. Calibers .32 ACP and .25 ACP.

• HK4. From 1968–1973, Heckler & Koch's HK4 was imported from Germany and sold in the U.S. with Harrington & Richardson model HK4 branding.

Shotguns

• Pardner shotgun (Single shot). (In production). Available in gauges 10, 12, 20, 28 and in .410 bore. Youth/compact, Turkey, Tamer, and Survivor models available in addition to the standard Pardner.

• Topper shotgun (Single shot). (In production). Available in gauges 12, 20, and in .410 bore. Youth/compact, Deluxe, Classic, & Trap models available in addition to the standard Topper.

• Ultra-Slug shotgun (Single shot). (In production). Gauges 12, 20 available. Rifled barrels. Compact model available.

• Pardner Pump shotgun (Imported). (In production). Branded NEF (New England Firearms). 12 & 20 gauges available. Manufactured by Hawk Industries, China. Youth/compact, Turkey, & Waterfowl models available in addition to the standard Pardner Pump.

• Excell Auto shotgun (Imported).(In production). Branded NEF. 12 gauge only. Waterfowl & Turkey models available in addition to the standard Excell.

• Handy-Gun (Discontinued).

• Pinnacle (Double barrel). (Discontinued).

Rifles

• Handi-Rifle (Single shot). (In production). Current calibers: .17 HMR, .204 Ruger, .22 LR, .22 WMR, .22-250 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., .280 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., .30-06 Spfld. .30-30 Win., .444 Marlin, .45 LC, .45-70 Gov't., & .500 S&W. Standard, Synthetic, Superlight, Ultra Varmint, Ultra Hunter, Buffalo Classic, CR Carbine, & Sportster models available.

Military rifles

(All models discontinued).

• M1 Garand 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 (1959–1964). H&R had the largest contract of four (4) manufacturers (H&R, Winchester, The Springfield Armory, and Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge (TRW)), to produce the M14 rifle.

• M16A1. Working under another US military contract during the Vietnam War, H&R is one of only four companies to have made M16 variants for the US military (Colt, Fabrique National, General Motors Hydramatic Division, and H&R).

• T223 Rifle Licensed copy of the Heckler & Koch HK33 Assault Rifle.

• Reising Submachine Gun . Produced during WWII.

Collectability

Only H&R military firearms are currently garnering significant interest from collectors.

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)

External links

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