Harrington & Richardson Model 686 Convertible .22 LR/.22 WMR Single-Action Revolver, 18 inch Buntline Barrel, 6-Shot, Color Case-Hardened Steel
This Harrington & Richardson Model 686 is a convertible, six-shot rimfire revolver configured for both .22 LR and .22 WMR. It features a long 18 inch Buntline-length barrel, an adjustable sight set, and a color case-hardened steel frame. Built in the 1980s in Gardner, Massachusetts, it uses a transfer-bar ignition that allows safe carry of six and a removable base-pin cylinder system for caliber changes.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This revolver does not reliably cycle in double-action, but it works flawlessly in single-action.
What’s Included
- .22 LR cylinder for H&R Model 686 (spare, not installed)
The Model 686 is a convertible dual-cylinder design chambered in .22 LR and .22 WMR, with a six-round capacity and single-action operation. Its transfer-bar system allows safe carry of all six chambers, aligning with H&R’s robust, practical approach to rimfire revolvers of the era.
The 18 inch Buntline-length steel barrel is paired with a tall ramped front blade and an adjustable square-notch rear sight for precise sight alignment. An ejector rod housing runs along the barrel to aid case extraction.
Construction is all steel, including the frame, receiver, and cylinder. The frame and receiver wear a color case-hardened finish, while the cylinder carries a dark finish. Smooth wood grips complete the full-size configuration.
The removable base-pin cylinder system makes caliber swaps straightforward. This example includes a spare .22 LR cylinder (not installed), complementing its convertible design for .22 LR and .22 WMR use.
Produced in the USA during the 1980s, this H&R exemplifies the period’s Gardner, Massachusetts manufacturing with its sturdy build and practical features.