H&R 1873 trapdoor springers

[Galloway]

I've seen a few of these on the auction sites and was wondering if H&R manufatured these or imported them? They look really nice, are they a pretty faithfull copy compared to the originals? Thanks

[Pitspitr]

I have an H&R Officers model. I've never handled an original officers model but have handled a lot of original rifles.The H&R is a pretty good copy, but you can't just swap all the parts.  While Pedersoli bought up H&R's tooling you can't swap all the parts from a Pedersoli to an H&R either.

Some of the early H&R's had a problem with the cam latch, but mine doesn't appear to have the problem of it loosening up.

To the best of my knowledge the H&R was made by them.

[St. George]

Harrington and Richardson (not H&R1871) built the Officer's Model as 'their' Centennial commemorative - providing an optional oval brass plaque for installation.

The big difference between that and the original Model 1875 is the fact that H&R provided a tang sight only, whereas the originals all feature the current-issue Rifle sight and base.

An original sight will neatly fit the barrel's contour, needing only to be drilled and tapped for installation, should one so desire.

The drawback (if any) is that the bottom of the rear sight's base will obscure the very top of the Harrington and Richardson lettering on the sides of the barrel - but installation of an original rear Rifle sight gives more sighting options and completes the 'look' of the piece - as would the addition of a Beach front sight.

Many of the parts are original, since it was easier to buy and refurbish things like barrel bands, buttplates, triggerguards and such, than it would've been to create from whole cloth - and they bought many Trapdoor parts from S&S Firearms 'way back when'.

They built the popular and engraved 'Little Big Horn Commemorative' (provided with the book - 'The Seventh and the Sioux') as well as the 'standard' carbine and rifle with leaf sights.

As has been mentioned, there was some trouble with the cam latch - but I've never encountered it, and I use factory smokeless only.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

Thanks for the comparison between the original and the H&R St. G.

On mine the previous owner did install an original M-1873 rear rifle sight and the Beach front sight He also replaced the color cased trigger base plate with an original blued one which is wider than the H&R base plate.

[Delmonico]

Years ago the NRA had a fix for the problem H&R's, seems the cam and I think it's the breech block on some if not all are 2 piece where the original was on piece.  Seems to me there is a allen head set screw that hold them together.  The fix as I remember involved putting in a slight dimple for the set screw to grab and then after it was tightened to add another set screw of the same type to hold the first one in place.

Jerry you might look yours over and see if that makes sense.

[Pitspitr]

Yep, it makes sense, but I doubt mine will develope the problem. I've shot it some since I traded for it, and the previous owner (Roye Lindsay) shot it a lot. I suspect that mine's new enough that the problem was fixed before it was produced.

[St. George]

Original receivers are two-piece - with the breech tang being separate.

Harrington and Richardson receivers are one-piece - being built that way, so as to not be easily faked.

On the original, the wrist of the stock is thicker than that of the H&R, and the modern-made reproduction metal pistol grip won't fit the H&R, but the H&R-made one will - if you can connect with one.

H&R only provided them with the 'Little Big Horn Commemorative', but they produced more of them than that production run, and I've kept an eye out for one for awhile, now.

I don't know offhand if Pedersoli makes the metal pistol grip cap - though they do make the wooden pistol grip, albeit in Italian Walnut, with pressed checkering instead of hand-checkered panels.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

On the original, the wrist of the stock is thicker than that of the H&R, and the modern-made reproduction metal pistol grip won't fit the H&R, but the H&R-made one will - if you can connect with one.

I don't know offhand if Pedersoli makes the metal pistol grip cap - though they do make the wooden pistol grip, albeit in Italian Walnut, with pressed checkering instead of hand-checkered panels.

No wonder the metal pistol grip I traded for has a gap on the side Oh well it works just not like it should.

I don't think Pedersoli makes the metal grip. the wooden one fit the H&R pretty well, but I wanted to be able to leave it on the "long range" Pedersoli.

The checkering is another area that I was disappointed in Pedersoli's copy of the long range rifle. The pistol grip on the original long range rifles (at least the one in Fort Hartsuff's collection) are uncheckered.

How did your pistol grip project ever turn out?

[St. George]

I'd gotten an original metal pistol grip a long time ago, and found out at that time that there was a difference.

The originals were forged, by the way - the replicas weren't.

The original wooden pistol grips could have checkering specified - the rifles was basically an Officer's custom piece, after all, and they all vary a little, what with sights and all.

That impressed checkering could have the diamonds cut with a single-line checkering file, and you'd like the look.

As to my project - after all this time, the 'wood' guy who took all the measurements and was going to do it still hasn't, so I may have to start over...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[John Taylor]

About 30 years back I had an original that needed a hammer. The H&R hammer fit like a glove.

[willyboy]

S&S has the grip cap and screw.

[mososodbob]

Hi,

I recently brought a H&R Officer's Model.  It has a tang sight and the single beaded front.  Would like the added capability of windage adjustment for the gun.

Is the Buffington type rear sight an option?  Are there reasonable priced replica sights available?  I've saw a Axel Beech front sight at Midway.  Currently their site shows it is no longer available.  However, Brownell have one similar.  Anyone with experience in installing them?

The pistol grip will enhance the cool factor of the gun...anyone with a source?  Either the old H&R metal or wood replacement will do.  Will Pedersolie sell parts?

Thanks,

Bob

[Pitspitr]

As has been said, S&S has the pistol grips. VTI sells Pedersoli parts.
http://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=64&cat=Pedersoli+Springfield+Trapdoor+Officer

[mososodbob]

S&S has the grip cap and screw.

Contact info for the "S&S" store?

Thanks.

Bob

[Will Ketchum]

Dixie Gun Works also has the grip.  I put one on my wife's Sharps.

Will Ketchum

[Pitspitr]

Contact info for the "S&S" store?

S&S Firearms
74-11 Myrtle Avenue
Glendale, New York 11385
Main - 718.497.1100
Fax - 718.497.1105
Repro & Orig Insignia & Sundries

http://www.ssfirearms.com/

[St. George]

I'll point out the fact again that the pistol grips sold by Dixie and S&S are designed to fit the far wider wrist of the original's stocks - and not the narrower one of the reproduction.

In that light - perhaps a wooden one would be best - and they were the most common version.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Grogan]

Hi,

I recently brought a H&R Officer's Model.  It has a tang sight and the single beaded front.  Would like the added capability of windage adjustment for the gun.

  I've saw a Axel Beech front sight at Midway.  Currently their site shows it is no longer available.  However, Brownell have one similar.  Anyone with experience in installing them?



Thanks,

Bob

On the Buffington, I'm not sure if that's what the pards are referring to here or not?  If so, then you'd get PLENTY of windage using one of those (the  Buffington Rear Sight is one of the nicest, most adjustable, Rear Barrel Sights ever made  )

On the Beech style Front, I'd say you could go either here

http://www.riflesmith.com/sightsballard.html

or here

http://www.montanavintagearms.com/combo_front.html

to find what you're looking for and you'd be all set. 

[1SG Yoak]

Greetings and felicitations,

Refreshing an older thread..  I too recently obtained an H&R Officer's Model - the 'Little Big Horn Commemorative'. As mentioned previously, it doesn't come with the front sight. I'm going to assume they didn't add one for a reason. How difficult is it to attach the front sight?

Thanks,

[St. George]

Are you referring to a barrel-mounted rear sight?

If so - any original 'will' fit the barrel's contours.

All you do is first obtain one - have it blued to match - then have the barrel drilled and tapped.

The 'problem' is cosmetic - since the rear sight base 'will' obscure the top of the lettering on the barrel.

If you opt to install it - it works well with the front sight as installed - but you may wish to change that out for a Beach.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!