UA Classic Upland Guns ERNIE FOSTER
PHOTO/ STANLEY W. TRZONIECHarrington & Richardson, Inc. Hammerless
Side-by-Side 1882–1885: The A Grade
W
ith each
article, I
try to offer
a different
smoothbore
gunmaker or
manufacturer from
an extensive range of
makers, periods, designs,
quality and suggested
values. In the Winter
2008 issue of The Upland
Almanac, I wrote about
the beautiful Harrington
& Richardson (H&R)
side-by-side hammerless
shotguns offered from 1882 to 1885. At the time I wrote, “This
beautiful, hard to find H&R Boxlock is a missing gun among
the American gun collectors’ inventory. I sure would like to
have one in my collection for $1,800 to $2,000 and even more
for a 12-bore A grade.”
This is one of the A grade guns. How many were made,
if there are two alike or if they were made to order are all
unknown. To the best of my knowledge, the grades are not
identified on the gun but are determined by the handcrafted
embellishments done by the individual artisans who put the
finishing touches on them in wood and steel.
H&R became known in the industry for its revolvers, and
its reputation in the American marketplace led to a five-year
license agreement with Anson & Deeley of Birmingham,
England, to be the sole licensed North American manufacturer
to produce and sell the new Anson & Deeley action double-
barrel hammerless shotgun in the United States.
The Anson & Deeley boxlock action was designed by two
Westley Richards employees, William Anson and John Deeley.
Westley Richards, the prestigious Birmingham gunmaker,
produced (crafted) the first Anson & Deeley hammerless
boxlock gun in May 1875. The new action design was coupled
with the Scott spindle-top lever and the Purdey sliding
underbolt. The Anson & Deeley boxlock design became the
world standard and continues to be so today for boxlock guns.
Between 1882 and 1885, H&R provided the marketplace
with approximately 2,700 side-by-side boxlock shotguns in
10- and 12-gauges with Damascus steel barrels in 28-, 30-
and 32-inch lengths in four different grades: A, B, C and D.
The grades were determined (though I’m not sure who madethat determination) by
the amount of engraving,
quality of wood and
Damascus steel barrel
finish. The top-grade A
would rival any of the
boxlocks made in the world
during that period.
This beautiful A
grade 7.5-pound, non-
ejector, 12-bore with 2¾
-inch chambers has finely
detailed 28-inch Damascus
steel barrels. The smooth,
concave Damascus classic
game rib, swooped to
follow the contours of the barrels, is etched with “Harrington &
Richardson, Worcester, Mass USA.” The rib extension (referred
to as a doll’s head) that fits into the cutout on the standard
breech creates a third fastener that complements the Purdey
sliding bolt locking system that is activated by the top lever
(Scott’s Spindle).
The semipistol grip stock architecture, crafted from
exquisite extra fancy figured walnut, displays checked side
panels in a heart shape with a broadhead shape to match the
drop points on the grip. The grip has extra fine checkering with
a scalloped border, and the butt plate is molded hard rubber
with the H&R logo. The forend, which is of equal quality, is
nicely shaped with detailed relief contouring to a beautiful
fluted hard rubber molded toe that embraces the fully engraved
Deeley & Edge fastener.
The case color hardened frame remains 100 percent
along with the delicate tapestry engraving based on stylized
scrolls. The deep chisel work on the arcaded fences reflects the
embellishments often seen on English “Best” guns.
Made with the modern precision manufacturing practices
of its time, this beautiful H&R side-by-side 12-bore A
grade shotgun in excellent condition reflects all the superb
artisan finishing touches of the prestigious English side-by-
side gun firms. In essence, it is a Westley Richard Anson &
Deeley boxlock that was licensed to be made of components
assembled in America. Unfortunately, it does not have a
collector demand; if it did, it would be equal in value of the
best-made American guns of its era. Today, with the original
maker’s leather case, it should bring $6,000 to $10,000 from a
shooter and much more to a collector.