Anyone have any information regarding an old H&R single shot shotgun marked 410-44 cal on the top of the barrel?

A little internet research has shown me it is pre-war and designed to take a 44-40 shotshell.

It also could be an offering which predated the
adoption of a standard 410 shotshell?


Looks like this.

-Spencer

Thanks thirdbite.

I gauged the chamber with a dowel and there is not much of a shoulder to speak of determining the mouth of the case, but it does seem to be about 2.5"

Any idea why 44-40 shotshells and not 45 Colt shotshells?

I had one several years ago and seem to remember it being marked 45-70 Shot or something like that. I bought it from a friend thinking it was a regular 410. Never did find out what it actually was. It was absolutley mint and really a neat little gun. It was a takedown with the hingepin having a fold down latch for removal. Some said it was a foragerers gun made for the cavalry but I never got any answer from any one on it. Lot's of luck on it.

A reference I have says that some of the early HR single shots were also chambered in 14mm, which I believe is the obsolete 32 gauge.

So the links that thirdbite gave (thanks!) give advice on loading 44-40 shotshells and the history of the 410.

Since the chamber is only 2" deep and the gun may be pretty weak (1916-1920 mfg.) I was thinking I may make up some 44-40 or 45 Colt shotshells and possibly some 2" 45-70 shotshells.

Anyone have any experience doing so? especially the 45-70 shells?

Thanks,
Spencer

quote:

Originally posted by ShopCartRacing:
So the links that thirdbite gave (thanks!) give advice on loading 44-40 shotshells and the history of the 410.

Since the chamber is only 2" deep and the gun may be pretty weak (1916-1920 mfg.) I was thinking I may make up some 44-40 or 45 Colt shotshells and possibly some 2" 45-70 shotshells.

Anyone have any experience doing so? especially the 45-70 shells?

Thanks,
Spencer

Back in my mis-spent youth I played around with all kinds of shotshell loads. The details escape me, but take a look here, pretty basic.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=5908

Back in the early 1960's a friend of mine had a little falling block single shot that looked like a Stevens Crackshot. It was probably 50 years old then. He shot .410 in it but it was marked 44 XL.
I believe the bore was smooth but I am not sure.
It was certainly a poor man's gun so I doubt that it was ever rifled.