H&R Topper Model 48 12 Gauge Single-Shot Shotgun, 30" Fixed Full Choke, Mid-1940s Production
Produced in the mid-1940s, this Topper Model 48 represents the first generation of H&R’s long-running single-shot shotgun line. It pairs a 30-inch blued barrel with a color case-hardened receiver and retains the model’s hallmark automatic ejector, self-adjusting barrel latch, and three-piece takedown design. The walnut stock and semi-beavertail fore-end give it the traditional look and feel that collectors and shooters appreciate.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces display scattered scratches, blemishes, and areas of light rust and pitting. The walnut fore-end is secure but has a mild amount of play.
What's Included
- Harrington & Richardson Topper Model 48 12 GA single-shot shotgun
This Model 48 is chambered for 2 3/4-inch 12 gauge shells and fitted with a 30-inch carbon-steel barrel featuring a fixed full choke—ideal for delivering tight patterns at distance.
The receiver retains its original color case-hardened finish, offering both visual appeal and a layer of surface toughness characteristic of H&R’s wartime production.
An exposed rebounding hammer, break-action design, and single-shot capacity keep operation straightforward, while the automatic ejector speeds reloading by clearing spent hulls as soon as the action opens.
The walnut stock provides a 14-inch length of pull and incorporates a smooth pistol-grip profile for controlled handling. A semi-beavertail fore-end supplies a comfortable grasp and protects the shooter’s forward hand from barrel heat.
With its serial prefix “G,” this shotgun dates to the mid-1940s, placing it at the beginning of the Topper lineage that would become a staple of American field guns for decades.