Manufacture date for H&R Sportsman

[The Gipper]

I would like to find out the date of manufacture of my H&R Sportsman, 999, serial number 80958. Can anyone help? Thanks! The Gipper

 

[Leadbutt]

YOu mite check with the guys on the Marlin lever gun sites,,as Marlin bought out H&R, one of them may have a link for you

 

[Arkie]

Gipper

Here is what I have found for you on the date.
The date is the Letter before the serial number...

The H&R sportsman single action model 199 was manufactured between 1932 and and 1950 (with time off for the war between 1942 and 1947. Those manufactured after the war are extremly rare.

The production of the single action never reach the quanities of the double action model 999 introduced at the same time (october 15, 1932). The model 199 and 999 were serial numbered in the same series so the exact number manufactured before the war is unknown, but if it has a S letter code prefix the manufacture era would be 1932 to 1934 and no letter prefix 1935 to 1941.

After the war production would carry the letter code prefix 1948=I,1949=J and 1950=K.

I hope this helps a little bit...

 

[The Gipper]

Thanks for your help, guys!
The Gipper