Went back to Franklin's yesterday afternoon, couldn't hardly get into the parking lot; and when I entered the shop and asked where the naked ladies were, was told they were having their annual "Cost Day" sale. Wasting no time with opportunity knocking, I moseyed on over to the double gun rack and found the subject DS grade Lefever still available; so looking around and spotted Mark Franklin, the son of the original and now deceased owner, I informed him that, given today was "Cost Sale Day", I was prepared to pay what the gun was actually worth and not his outrageous asking (the tag said $699). So he asked me what the gun was worth and I said $450 out the door; to which he responded that he might take that offer IF I would agree to take a project double off his hands that deserved restoration (said he couldn't sell as it was) for an additional $50. So I allowed, as I already had waaaaay too many projects already, I wasn't sure; but would certainly take his counter under consideration, so show me the gun!. So Mark brings out this petite little Harrington and Richardson 20 gauge hammer gun; an example of which I don't recall having ever seen. Someone had dropped this little gun decades ago and had broken the stock behind the lock plates. Apparently deciding not to fix the gun, the firing pins were removed so that it could not be used; and the gun had simply languished in a closet since. Barrel blue is all there, bores are mint, all parts there to include the broken stock with the exception of one piece missing above the left side lock plate. This was obviously a low-end piece of Americana when new, and which piece has managed to survive in remarkable condition because of the broken stock. I obviously have no idea, but would think maybe these little H & R hammer guns are not very common in 20 gauge? Barrels are 28" and appear to be fluid steel, although not marked; and atop the short rib is stamped "20 Gauge"; so I paid the guy $500 and left with my prizes. Didn't need either one of these guns; but found both very interesting. And as I know nothing of these H & R model hammer guns, I'm hoping Brother David Noreen or Brother Doc Drew will see this post and enlighten me as to when this piece may have been made; perhaps post a pic of an old ad, etc.?
Thanks in advance for any information shared
Tom