Blue Book gun prices.

[corsair231]

Hey guys, my father-in-law got a hold of a old shotgun. It seems to be pretty old but it is in decent shape. It is a H & R Topper model 148, 20 ga. I was wondering if anybody had a Blue Book and could look it up and see if it had any value. I know it's probably not much but we would still like to know. Thanks

[mcasteel2112]

Anywhere from 80 bucks to 200,..200 is absolute high for mint condition.
I had one growing up for plucking tree rats and other assorted vermin.

2nd edition Gun Digest,copyright 1946.
It shows the H & R Standard Model 48 as "The Topper" available since 1944.
It lists the following info:
A new model,fitted with an entirely new action,so constructed that it will automaticlly take up wear.American Walnut stock and fore-end.Case hardend frame,coil springs throughout.Positive automatic ejection.Hard rubber butt plate.
12,16,20 guage in 30" barrel length only.Weight about 6&1/2 lbs.FULL CHOKE.For any standard factory loaded ammunition.

The third edition (c/r 1947)says the same thing.The top of the page listing single barrel shotguns says"all full choke".

The fifth edition (c/r 1952) lists it as also being available in .410 and full and modified choke.Barrel lengths are 26" & 28" in 20 and .410 and 28" & 30" in 12,16,and 20 gauge. Price:$21.50!

No real change in spec's until the 1957 (eleventh edition) when it says:
Barrels:30" or 32" in 12ga. 28" or 30" in 16 ga.. 28" in 16,20,28,and 410 gauge.FULL.

The 1959 edition (number 13) drops the 28 gauge and the model 44 in favor of the 148 and 188.(The 148 was offered several years earlier in .410 only.Also it was the first year for the new "side lever opening" .It also offered a 36" barrel for the 12 gauge for an extra $2.00.
The model 188 had colored stocks (red,yellow,blue,green,purple,pink,or ebony) that I guess were plastic.The 1960 edition shows the same spec's except the model 188 dropped all the colors except red,yellow and ebony.


best to keep it and hand it down

Take your kids hunting now so you wont be hunting for your kids later: Ted Nuge

[ChrisCairns]

Originally Posted by corsair231

Hey guys, my father-in-law got a hold of a old shotgun. It seems to be pretty old but it is in decent shape. It is a H & R Topper model 148, 20 ga. I was wondering if anybody had a Blue Book and could look it up and see if it had any value. I know it's probably not much but we would still like to know. Thanks

I believe H & R is now out of business and New England Firearms bought their tooling.)

They were never a collectible, just a meat getter.

Here's one I found by quickly going to auctionarms.com (we use the internet instead of books now since books are averages and not up to date)

Topper 20ga 3in chamber 26in - Auction: 8366622 (Ends 12/04/2007, 17:59:29 PST)

An older one as you described, we'd sell retail for $70 to $80., taking into account we're not a big shotgun area. Add a few dollars if you're in a birdy hunting area.

[mcasteel2112]

Marlin Firearms Company purchased the assets of H&R

But anyway Chris, your right, just a simple gun with alot of them made but a lot of history with H&R and like anything..what their worth and what you get for it are two diff things eh

[corsair231]

Thanks guys. I don't think he was hurt buying it for $25.00.