H & R Sportsman 999 info
I have been reading the posts about the H&R Sportsman but still cant figure out the production date or estimated value. Can Bill Goforth or others help?
Barrel Length and Shape:6",Round Barrel with a slender top rib (strap), looks almost like an "I" beam. I have not seen this style in any photos.
Caliber and Cylinder Capacity: 22 LR , 9 shot, Blue finish, fixed sights.
Markings,Top Of Barrel/Top Strap: Name and address on two lines.
Right Side Of Barrel: 22 Long Rifle CTG (no other markings)
Left Side Of Barrel: H & R Sportsman (no other markings)
Serial Number and Location: Front Of Grip Strap: 532 and
Left Side Of Grip Strap Under Grips: 532 (no other markings)
Other Features and Comments: On the cylinder is stamped "Patent applied for" (no other markings)
The pistol appears to be in overall very good condition with a little wear on the barrel end from what looks like holster wear and on the cylinder from normal rotational use. I have shot it many times, it sometimes miss fires but not excessively and seems to do better with sub-sonic ammo. Hi velocity ammo seems to build up lead fowling in the barrel. The pivot is tight and the trigger pull is crisp. It is an accurate shooter, I have taken several rabbits, a squirrel and two rattlesnakes with it.
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Man there is a lot of info here, I found a pictue of my model, the heading of the post is "H&R 22 top break", dated 4-19-2009 by Nicksterdemus.
Barrel Length and Shape:6",Round Barrel with a slender top rib (strap), looks almost like an "I" beam. I have not seen this style in any photos.
Caliber and Cylinder Capacity: 22 LR , 9 shot, Blue finish, fixed sights.
Markings,Top Of Barrel/Top Strap: Name and address on two lines.
Right Side Of Barrel: 22 Long Rifle CTG (no other markings)
Left Side Of Barrel: H & R Sportsman (no other markings)
Serial Number and Location: Front Of Grip Strap: 532 and
Left Side Of Grip Strap Under Grips: 532 (no other markings)
Other Features and Comments: On the cylinder is stamped "Patent applied for" (no other markings)
The pistol appears to be in overall very good condition with a little wear on the barrel end from what looks like holster wear and on the cylinder from normal rotational use. I have shot it many times, it sometimes miss fires but not excessively and seems to do better with sub-sonic ammo. Hi velocity ammo seems to build up lead fowling in the barrel. The pivot is tight and the trigger pull is crisp. It is an accurate shooter, I have taken several rabbits, a squirrel and two rattlesnakes with it.
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Man there is a lot of info here, I found a pictue of my model, the heading of the post is "H&R 22 top break", dated 4-19-2009 by Nicksterdemus.
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the H&R model 999 sportsman was introduced to the public in a advertizing flyer dated October 1932. there fore some were actually made before that time and this is one of them. this is the lowest serial number i hve encountered for a model 999 sportsman. the barrel on this very early model is believed to be the same as used on the 22 special. what type of front sight does this revolver have? the cylinder should have a safety rim on it. the patent was applied for on january 7,1932 but the patent was not granted until april 18,1933 hence the patent pending markings, the patent number is 1904730
SPORTSMAN DOUBLE ACTION MODEL 999
LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK .
1932-1952
Large frame double action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds, 22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF)cylinder capacity 7 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (ribbed); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights: rear adjustable for windage only, Three different front sights used, full Blade, Partridge type & Partridge type pinned to barrel top rib, all non-adjustable; Finger rest trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape, known as Rice frame); frame mounted firing pin, hammer face is flat. Cylinder release is long pivoting lever on right side of frame (there are two different version of this). Serial numbered in its own series from 01 up to at least 89761 by the end of 1939. Starting in 1940 letter codes were used. Early production until about 1933 the letter code "D" was used to denote double action (some extremely early production did not have letter code D at least first 600)
First Variation; round heavy weight ribbed barrel with Blade non-adjustable front sight ---1932- to before 4-18-1933
Second Variation; adjustable front sight---1933 (after 4-18-1933)-
Third Variation; firing pin moved to hammer
1934
Fourth Variation; three inch barrel was offered
1935
Fifth Variation; two patent dates marked on cylinder (before there was only one)----1936 (after 3-17)-1937
Sixth Variation; top of barrel markings moved to right side of barrel
1937-1939
Seventh Variation; 22 WFR caliber dropped, 3 inch barrel dropped
1940-1941
Eight Variation; one piece over size plastic grips are standard, limited production during WWII years----1942-1952
VALUE: 100%=$425 60%=$195 Add 15% premium for 1st Variation; %0% for 22WRF caliber; 30% for 3" barrel (scarce)
bill0 -
Thanks Bill, I appreciate your help.
The front sight is fixed, aprox. 3/8th long and 1/8 high. Slight radus to the front leading edge.
Not sure what you mean by a "safty rim". The face is recessed, is that what you are referring to?
I was looking at how to attach pictures and can attempt to do that latter today, would that help?
Robin0 -
Rats, rats, rats...
I was looking for that picture I saw before and cant find it...
I was looking up "Partridge" sight but cant find a picture of that, I'm not sure what it looks like so I'm not sure if that is what I have. I'd call mine a blade.
Thanks,
Robin0 -
The sight blades on the earliest Sportsman that I know of (serial numbers lower than 1400) are fitted and soldered into a slot in the barrel, they are not adjustable, and they are "Patridge" type - described as semi-circular with a notch cut out of the back/rear side.
The barrels are "key hole" shaped - i.e. they are round with an extended top ridge which is slightly undercut. These pieces are extremely hard to come across at this date. All the other markings that you describe match-up with my pieces or pieces that I have seen that are s/n 'ed from 1431 and down to mid 700's. Is the rear sight adjustable for windage? Are there any numbers stamped in the breech face of the cylinder and/or the extractor star? If so, what are they?
As you described, the safety cylinder has a "recessed" face or as the company described it an extended rim - same thing in practical terms.
Jim Hauff H&R Collector0 -
Hey Jim Hauff,
I've been real busy with work and haven't had time to check this site out recently. It looks like I forgot to respond to your questions about the cylinder markings.
The barrel is "Key Hole" shaped.
The rear sight is adjustable for windage.
The Cylinder and the star extractor have the number 532 stamped, same as the frame number.
I'm not a "collector" I'm a user of my guns so "collector value" sometimes skips me. I did take the gun to Rance, the owner of Spurlock's Gun Shop in Henderson, NV (702) 564-5668. He looked it over and said to be conservative, for me to describe it as 90 to 95%, he really likes the gun.
I hope to get some pictures up this weekend and list it for sale; do you or Bill (or anyone else) have an idea as to the estimated value from the descriptions?
I will be moving out of the country in 12 to 18 months and as a Foreigner I can't have guns or rifles (bummer).
Robin0 -
Aboman,
I very recently came into possesion of a very early Sportsman, s/n 608, which I believe is identical to yours. This is the earliest Sportsman in my collection. I have also seen pictures of one s/n in the 200 range which is also identical to ours. The primary feature that is different from the later versions is the non adjustable, inset in slot, semi-circular front sight, rather than the "squared off" Patridge type. Mine is in about 75% condition and I paid slightly over 300 bucks for it. The one in the 200 range is offered on one of the other auction sites for $399, with no bids as yet. In all the years of collecting H&Rs, I have not previously seen any piece lower than one I have in the 1400 s/n range - ironic isn't it that so many should suddenly show up? As to value - from a collector's point of view, I feel I did not overpay for the one I got.0 -
Hey 32 Magnum,
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
I would not be selling this one if I wernt moving soon, I enjoy shooting it but it is funny, the low number ones showing up.
Robin0 -
I've been trying to figure out the production date or estimated value of my Grandfathers H&R Sportsman
Barrel Length 6" long and Key Hole Shape.
Caliber and Cylinder Capacity: 22 LR , 9 shot, Blue finish, Adjustable front and rear sights.
Left Side Of Barrel: H & R Sportsman Double Action (in 2 lines)
Right Side Of Barrel: Name and address on two lines. 22 Long Rifle CTG (on 3rd line back by cylinder)
Serial Number and Location: Front Of Grip Strap: J33
One screw in front of grip holding it on
No mention of "Patent" (no other markings)
To open the Cylinder release you lift up on the rear sight.0 -
this is of much later production than the previous one. H&R used the J letter code in 1949. the post war production of the first model 999 did a way with the patent dates.
SPORTSMAN DOUBLE ACTION MODEL 999 LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK ---1932-1952
Large frame double action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds, 22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF) cylinder capacity 7 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (ribbed); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights: rear adjustable for windage only, Three different front sights used, full Blade, Partridge type & Partridge type pinned to barrel top rib, all non-adjustable; Finger rest trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape, Rice frame); frame mounted firing pin, hammer face is flat. Cylinder release is long pivoting lever on right side of frame (there are two different version of this). Serial numbered in its own series from 01 up to at least 89761 by the end of 1939. Starting in 1940 letter codes were used. Early production until about 1933 the letter code "D" was used to denote double action
First Variation; round heavy weight ribbed barrel with Blade non-adjustable front sight
1932- to before April 18,1933
Second Variation; adjustable front sight---1933 (after 4-18-1933)
Third Variation; firing pin moved to hammer
1934
Fourth Variation; three inch barrel was offered
1935
Fifth Variation; two patent dates marked on cylinder (before there was only one)
1936 (after 3-17)-1937
Sixth Variation; top of barrel markings moved to right side of barrel---1937-1939
Seventh Variation; 22 WFR caliber dropped, 3 inch barrel dropped
1940-1941
Eight Variation; one piece over size plastic grips are standard, limited production during WWII years
1942-1952
VALUE: 100%=$425 60%=$195 Add 15% premium for 1st Variation; %0% for 22WRF caliber; 30% for 3" barrel (scarce)
bill0
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