You recognize the name, but shrug with indifference at its mention. In mint condition, their shotguns compare not to the finer side-by-sides of the past. They sell for pennies on the dollar relative to the spendy, yet (occasionally) affordable names like Fox and L.C. Smith, and may as well be a door prize for simply viewing a Parker. Although less glamorous, the single-shot Harrington and Richardson (H&R) shotgun may arguably be one of the simplest and most prominent firearms to grace American hunting and shooting history.
H&R boasts an ornate heritage dating back to the inception of the company in 1871 as Wesson and Herrington in Worcester, MA. Established by Gilbert H. Harrington and William A. Richardson, the manufacturer we know as H&R was not so named until 1877. Harrington supposedly bought out Dan Wesson’s investment and re-branded with Richardson, carrying the H&R name and parent operation through 1986. Their doors remained closed until 1991 when a new company started under the name H&R 1871.
H&R was known into the 1880s for their revolvers, but evolved quickly to manufacture shotguns and rifles with dozens of different models. But the name as I and many others have come to know is married to their single-shot shotguns.
In 1901, H&R produced their first single-shot, the Model 1900. A series of small-bore .410 single-shots followed, chambered in two-inch in 1911, the Model 1915 chambered in 2.5-inch, then a three-inch chambering in 1937. It appears the more commonly known “Topper” model name did not appear until the 1940s.
The H&R Topper Model 158 (Topper 158) was manufactured between approximately 1962 and 1973, becoming the shotgun many of today’s hunters associate with the H&R name. While this model was chambered in everything from .17 to .300 magnum caliber, smooth bores appear to be most common.
The Topper 158, like its predecessors, carried a hardwood stock, but the rubber butt pad didn’t appear before this model, according to vintage advertising. Their actions were color case hardened, boasting a beautiful tiger-like, almost holographic striping. Twelve, 16, 20 gauge and .410 bores were available with barrel length ranging from 28- to 36-inches and housing an immaculate shell ejector. The 28-inch barrel package weighed a scant 5.5 pounds. The forearms on early models were held tight to the barrel with a center screw, which was changed to a sleeker clip-in mechanism in 1971.
These guns may not have been dazzling, but their reputation as lightweight, reliable and affordable, led to hundreds of thousands of sales while in production. Original cost for a standard Topper shotgun was listed at $28.50 in 1957, and the Topper 158 at $36.95 in 1971, according to vintage advertising.
Present day value for a used Topper 158 in excellent conditions runs between $150-225, but monetary value does little justice for the antiquity of these “working class” scatterguns. But as W.E. (Bill) Goforth said in his in-depth volume on the H&R company, firearms enthusiasts are led to “…the belief that the value of a collectible firearm is measured by its cost.” This dismisses historical relevance, allowing monetary value alone to determine the “worth” of a firearm, exemplified by H&R.
Aside from monetary or historical significance, sentimental value can eclipse all. I inherited my father’s Topper 158 as a child and carried it after gray squirrels through the deciduous forest. I recently discovered a photo of my father taken at his parent’s home around 1981. He knelt in the yard clutching his one-year-old youngest son (me) and a gray squirrel, the Topper 158 leaning against the fence in the background. The photo triggered a desire to rescue and restore the gun as a piece of my father’s legacy. A shotgun built for everyone and fitting of his humble, reliable personality.
A tiny Trumbo with his father after a successful squirrel hunt with the Topper 158
The christening of the old 12-bore with renewed fashion came a nation away from its Virginia origin with a passing shot at a Eurasian collared dove. A bird I doubt my father had ever heard of. Memories overlaid by time rushed to the surface, cued by the thump of the light-weight single-barrel driving against my shoulder.
With such talk of commonplace style and mechanics, it may be surprising that in 1880, H&R became the sole American licensee for the manufacture of quality English Anson & Deely double-barrel boxlock shotguns, manufacturing approximately 3,500 of various “grades” between 1882 and 1885. Not to belittle the company’s contribution to the U.S. armed forces over the years.
In November of 2000, the Marlin Firearms Company purchased the assets of H&R 1871, Inc. Presently marketing its products under the brand names of Harrington & Richardson® and New England Firearms®, H&R 1871 is currently the largest manufacturer of single shot shotguns and rifles in the world1. So why are single shot scatterguns so uncommonly seen afield? With a wealth of quality doubles and auto-loaders on the market, it seems hunters value the opportunity of additional rounds.
The H&R name and Topper 158 have claimed their worthy place in American firearms history and the story continues with current Topper models. Still produced under the Harrington and Richardson name, the Topper Deluxe Classic sports a vented sight rib, screw-in choke tubes and checkered American walnut stock.
Various vintage Topper 158 and youth models can be found around $100 if you are willing to watch auctions and make some minor repairs. Cheap enough to determine for yourself the wingshooting “worth” of H&Rs classic single-shot.
Getting the feel for a newly-restored classic.
Palouse Upland Media 
My Grandpa gave me his .410 topper and man it shoots like a dream. It’s hands down my favorite to shoot. I love how simple and easy it is. I’m a female and I find the kick to be very mild. Overall it’s a great gun, thanks for sharing all this, it’s nice to learn more of its history.
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Howdy, Ashley! The .410 is a sought-after model. How wonderful it is that your Grandpa gave you that gun! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy your time afield with your heirloom Topper!
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Thank you for this article- I’m glad to have found it.
My first firearm was a H&R Topper 20 gauge. I bought it with my father at the local K-Mart in 1985, when I was 15. The cost, new, was $65, which is exactly the amount I had to spend; my father paid the sales tax. I still own it, though I haven’t shot it in years- time to take it to the range!
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Howdy and thank you for reading! How fortunate that you held onto that gun all these years. Often, as we grow into our sports, we trade off gear for something better, only to regret it down the road when nostalgia hits us. Hard to believe it was only $65 when you bought it!
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Old time hunters here northwest Georgia used to call all H&R and NEF long guns , “ Freezer Queens “. They would proudly state that these guns put more meat in the freezer for their family than any other guns ever made !!! American made , high quality , accurate, dependable , a joy to own .
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“American made, high quality, accurate, dependable, a joy to own,” and affordable! That is how a firearm achieves a nickname like “Freezer Queen!” Thanks for sharing this with us!
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I found my great grandfather’s topper 158 in my grandmother’s attic. Will he getting it restored. Any piece of advice or materials I can review to learn more? Great article!
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That’s exciting that you found your grandpa’s Topper! I used the Birchwood Casey kit and it had everything needed to do the job. The most important piece of advice is to cycle through the rust remover and degreaser until that barrel shines like a mirror. If you think you have it clean enough, do it a couple more times. My finish turned out slightly mottled because there was still a nearly undetectable amount of rust or grease on the metal. The bluing will not work on any speck of rust or blemish. Second, do not try to cover too much area at once when applying the bluing. Work slowly and methodically to get a nice even coat. Thanks for sharing and I would love to see the before and after photos!
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Brad,
Great article. I purchased my Topper 158 from my grandfather for the grand sum of $25 at the ripe old age of 11. in the late ’70s. That was a whopping sum for me at the time and I saved all my money from odd jobs to be able to afford it. It was my first ‘real’ firearm and that it was coming from my grandfather didn’t connect with me a the time. I carried it on many a hunt for everything from squirrels to deer and hogs. Over the years I purchased other weapons but always seemed to come back to the Topper. When my grandfather passed away I think is when the importance kicked in for me. Not only was he providing me a reliable weapon which allowed us many memorable hours in the field on hunts, but by making me work for it, he taught me the value of a dollar and hard work. I still have the old Topper, though I am in the process of trying to repair the snap-on forend where the wood around the screws for the snap-on hardware failed.
Dan
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I really appreciate you sharing your story, Dan! Stories like this are what you find when you really get to the bottom of what makes an heirloom gun. I would rather shoot an old gun with a known family history than any fancy or new. Good luck that forearm. You can find a new one, if needed. I had to buy a new one for mine because the original wood had split out too bad to ever hold the clip again. The new one I ordered is made from higher quality walnut than the original, but it was a bit clunky and required sanding down.
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Thanks Brad. I did order a new one, but the pin on mine was shorter than what was on the new forearm. So, I got creative and took two wooden plugs, glued them into the channel then using my Dremel notched out space for the clip to fit in and then put the screws back in securely. I tested it out and it seems to be holding just fine. I’d rather not replace anything on it given its ‘history’ if I can help it, but if this fails then I’ll try and source a new one again.
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It’s nice to see the Topper recognized. They were common in Connecticut when I was young. My first gun was a Topper 16, from Two Guys department store.M y Dad paid $32.50 for it, October 12, 1966, and three days later I shot my first pheasant. My best friend received a 20 ga. Topper Junior for Christmas that year. We both still have them. Both guns were new in ’66 and have the “snap-on” forend.
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Howdy, Chris. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Topper. $32.50 is exactly what some of the vintage advertisements posted as the cost. I appreciate hearing about your fist pheasant and that you and your buddy still have your Toppers. They are piece of American firearms history for sure! Hang on to them!
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Question: I use Ballistol to clean most of my guns. It’s says not to use on nickel plated firearms. I’m cleaning my grandpa’s Topper 158. Does anyone know what the rainbow like coating on the action is? I wanted to make sure it’s ok to clean the tiger like striping with standard gun cleaning solvents. This post was so helpful and fun to read! Thank you!
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That’s a great question! What looks like tiger striping on the action is “color case hardening.” It comes from heat treating the action. Typically, cleaning solvents like Hoppes are perfectly fine for gun finishes. The only thing that I have ever seen remove bluing or color case hardening is the specific stripping solving made to remove the bluing. I highly doubt there is any nickel plating on your Topper, but if you are worried about it, it never hurts to talk to a gunsmith.
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I just bought a Topper 158 from a pawn shop for $100 out the door. It’s got a screw in the forearm so it’s probably close to my age. I got it so I could use it for primitive deer in Louisiana. After reading this article I’m glad I happened across this and made it mine.
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What a find! Enjoy carrying it and I hope it serves you well!
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Are H&R barrels interchangeable ( 410 ,30-30- 20 ga etc?I owned a topper in early seventy a 410 interchange 30-30 barrel my dad sold it and I was not intested at that time
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Howdy, Steve. From what I have read, the barrels from a specific Topper model are interchangeable, meaning a .410, 12 gauge, or rifle barrel made for a Topper 158 will fit any Topper 158 receiver, and the same is for the other Topper models.
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I noticed my 158 12 ga. from 1971 still has the large screw retaining the fore end in place, rather than the clip you mentioned. Perhaps mine was a prior year’s model.
I also remember it was not the first shotgun my Dad brought home for me. He purchased a different make single shot first (I don’t remember what it was), but it was returned to the store because it failed to fire (light primer strikes) right out of the box. There was no other gun available that day to replace it, so Dad got a refund. A few days later he came home with the Topper 158, which was, and still is, a gorgeous gun. I fell in love with it right away. Thanks again for sharing your story.
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It does sound like your gun might have been a slightly earlier model than mine given that forearm screw. Lucky for you that first single-shot failed and left you with the Topper instead! Thanks again for sharing, Jeff!
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I was given an H&R Topper 158 when I was 12 years old by my Dad. I’m 65 now so the gun is 53, and it still shoots as well today as it did back in 1971. I’ve taken good care of it and it’s still as beautiful as the day I first got it. The case hardened receiver and that beautiful blued barrel still shine like new. Thanks for telling the story of the company, your gun, and your experience with it.
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I really appreciate you reading and reaching out. I can picture your gun and am glad to hear that you have taken care of it. I wish the case hardening was still on mine, but it was truly rusty to the point of needing a whole new finish. It’s hard to believe how many memories can be sparked by a simple tool that we tote afield over the years. Thanks for sharing a little bit about your Topper!
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My dad bought me a Topper 158 when I turned 13 years old. I am now 61 years old. I took it out to the range yesterday to shoot. Needless to say it shoots flawlessly. I love the simplicity of a single shot and it brought back fond memories of spending time with my dad.
I recently showed it to my adopted son, he just turned 14 years old, and told him that someday it will be his. He has to grow up a bit but I look forward to taking him out for his first shoot.
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Thank you for sharing this, Wes! The Topper 158 is a fine heirloom, and I am glad it conjures memories of your dad. I am sure your son will be thrilled to have it when the time is right!
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I just acquired a Topper 158 in 22 hornet. Looking for a scope mount for it now and then can’t wait to get it out and shoot it. It does have open sites but I much prefer a scope
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Thats exciting! Think you might hunt small game with it this coming fall?
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Yes I definitely plan on it. I found a set of integral scope mounts but not sure if there the right one. There made by H&R and says for handy rifles but don’t know it hole spacing will be the same from a rifle of vintage as mine ? I don’t know how to post pics of mounts here ?
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Sadly, I’m not an expert on H&Rs, so I am not much help in confirming if your scope mounts will work. However, very little if anything changed with the H&R Toppers over the years. Given you have H&R mounts, I am willing to be they will work just fine.
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had a 158 in 22hornet in my youth and sold.always regretted it.50 yrs late i plowed a ditch my wallet and got another in mint condition.its my favorite gun
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Too bad you sold off the gun from your youth, but it is exciting that you were able to find another in top condition! Congratulations and enjoy that one!
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Great article! I just found my dads old shotgun, its a topper 158. After reading this, ill be cleaning it up!
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Right on! You’re going to love it!
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I recently purchased the 158 with an 36 inch barrel……. look out turkey shoots….. I’ve collected H&R since I was started by my father….. thanks dad….. and thank you everyone for the information listed.
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Sounds like you might have a solid collection. What other H&R models do you have?
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Have a May be a youth model topper, says 20 ga 3” mod. ( modified barrel). Can you shoot 2 3/4 out of these???
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Howdy, Rick! I have never seen a 3-inch chamber on any make of shotgun that was not also safe for shooting 2-3/4-inch.
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I just picked one up was wondering what length the chamber is it is not stamped, just 12 p full choke it has a z on the side of the receiver
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Howdy, Buddy! Congratulations on picking up your new-to-you H&R Topper! The 2-3/4 inch chamber was common among the Topper models, but to be absolutely sure, you may want to have it checked out by a local gunsmith.
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It’s a shame the company no longer makes firearms. I bought a Pardner in 2007 for 90 bucks and it’s served me well. It’s fun to shoot, great for busting up clay pigeons, and is my favorite shotgun despite me owning “nicer” ones
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Its amazing what an inexpensive gun can do and I am glad to hear you still enjoy yours!
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I have the Topper in 16ga. If I correctly recall, it is my first firearm, purchased in the very early 1970s. Have not used it much. Have used it deer hunting. May do so this season. The challenge.
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Ah yes, the single shot shotgun in the deer woods is a challenge. Do you have a rifle barrel for it or just use buckshot? The 16ga is an intriguing bore that may be the best all-around shotgun.
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Tengo una topper model 158
Harrington & Richardson, inc
Acua pat 2876576 saber su precio real
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The Model 158 surpasses in shooting value later Topper and Pardner models in that the hammer does not obscure the sight plane and target picture upon firing.
Conversely, the later models like the 88 has a high set hammer that disallows “follow thru” sightlines to the target after firing, thus obscuring the immediate consequent impact on the squirrel, clay bird, etc.
Thus the M58 and M158 are superior training firearms for new and young shooters.
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Interesting information, Bill! I don’t have experience with the later models so that’s good to know. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to further educate me on this!
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Will H&R topper 410 barrel fit the 410 Pardner frame
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That’s an excellent question, Charles, and I do not have 100% certainty on that. The actions look to be identical, though and based on H&Rs effort to make their actions fit a variety of bores, it will likely fit just fine. You should check with a gunsmith just to be safe.
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Great article! I enjoyed learning about the history and how it intertwined with you and personal experiences. You definitely paint a picture for people to not discard the single shot so quickly.
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