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H&R Handy Gun 357

unionembalmer
I have just acquired a Handy Gun in 357 Caliber. Serial #40577

Its in very nice shape.

Can anyone tell me if it is a rare caliber for a handy gun ?

And Value

Thanks

Jeff
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • hunterX
    You mean NEF handi rifle? If so, I got one. I believe the factory still offers them. On a different forum I know some of the guys there had the 357mag barrel. I wouldn't say rare esp since they can still be had I am pretty sure.
    Now maybe you are referring to a different gun , if you were to buy that gun with that barrel new right now today , I would be expecting to pay somewhere around $220-$240 , I know mine was $190 a good many yrs ago.
    Actually I bought mine as a 44mag , then got the 357 barrel for about $75 as I remember
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  • lcdrdanr
    I'm not sure what the original poster is referring to. An H&R Handi Rifle of current manufacture (or as produced by the previous versions of New England Firearms or Harrington & Richardson) could have been manufactured 30 years ago but the Serial Number should have either an N (for NEF) or an H (for H&R) followed by another letter which would denote the year of manufacture.
    These single shot rifles come in two frame sizes, SB1 and SB2 depending on whether it is low pressure (shotguns, pistol cartridges) or high pressure (rifles) frame.
    The .357 barrel may have come on either frame or might have been an older H&R combo (i.e model 158, model 58, or such) which came with one frame and several barrels (22 Hornet, 20 gauge, 30-30, .22 Rem Jet, .410, etc)

    Prices vary depending on whether it's an older frame or a more modern frame but again varies depending on whether it's an SB1 or an SB2. I recently picked up a 2 barrel combo (20 ga and 30-30) on a Model 58 for $130 out the door while a high pressure frame with a .357 barrel on it might go for $250 or so.

    Now, if the OP is referring to one of the Handy Guns manufactured in the 30's (I think) then I'm not sure that .357 was a factory chambering and the gun itself is subject to a tax under the NFA, not sure if it is an AOW or a SBR but I know it's a special piece regulated by the ATF.

    More information is really needed for a definitive answer.

    Dan R
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  • 11b6r
    The original Handi-gun was a .410 smoothbore PISTOL, and is an AOW (Any Other Weapon) which DOES require registration with the ATF (But fee is $5) It was made as a pistol, no stock, so is not a Short Barreled Shotgun. The Handi-Rifle, as in the .357 referenced here, came quite a bit later.
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  • unionembalmer
    Could this be a 38 chambered handy gun ?

    I did some research and all I can find out is that the 38 and .357 in the early 30's could fit the same gun, until the 357 round was lengthend.

    I will try and get some pics up

    thanks
    Jeff
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  • Robin
    The original H&R Handy gun was also originally chambered in .22 LR and 32-20. All of the H&R Handy guns chambered in .410 were not NFA weapons because they were made with 18" barrels. If what you have is a H&R rechambered to fire .357 magnum, I would think the chamber pressure would exceed safety limits. Years ago I saw a H&R Handy Gun modified to accept 44 special ammo. I think this reference is to a Handi Rifle?
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  • 32 Magnum
    The "original" H&R HANDY GUN was produced as a single shot pistol with "shotgun like" break action from 1931 to 1934. It was offered with rifled barrels in .22 rf or .32-20 cartridges and with smooth bore barrels in 28 gauge or .410 bore shotshell cartridges. It was produced in three distinct variations, all of which offered barrel length of 12.25" for the rifled barrels and either 8" or 12.25" full choked smooth bore barrels. Production and sales in the US ceased in 1934 because of the promolgation of the NFA of 1934.
    The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced into the market in 1935 as a joint venture between S&W and Winchester. The piece in question is most likely the "reincarnation" of the Handy Gun in full stocked long barrel rifle or shotgun configuration.

    Note: Historical information courtesy of Bill Goforth's research.
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