Extraction is not by spring, it's by rubbing on the hook(#29) in the hinge. Spring(#13) is used to retract the star back into loading position.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/hr/revolvers-hr/999

If you remove the cylinder assy and push the ejector shaft, extending the star, then let it go it should snap back into place = spring good.

Possible fails are #29 or #30.

 

I picked up a used Sportsman that had the same problem with extraction, the hook slide part# 30 point was worn off. I replaced it with one from Numrich & fix the extraction problem

 

Just posted this on the other Sportsman posting too. :bthumb:

This info, compiled by the late Bill Goforth (who wrote THE book on H&R Firearms) should be a big help to you...

Old No7

SPORTSMAN DOUBLE ACTION MODEL 999 LARGE FRAME TOP BREAK ------ 1932-1952
Large frame double action top break revolver; Caliber 22 rimfire (short, long & long rifle) cylinder capacity 9 rounds, 22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF)cylinder capacity 7 rounds; Safety rim cylinder; blue finish only; barrel length 6 inches (ribbed); Automatic cylinder stop; Sights: rear adjustable for windage only, Three different front sights used, full Blade, Partridge type & Partridge type pinned to barrel top rib, all non-adjustable; Finger rest trigger guard; One piece oversized checkered Walnut grips (birds head grip frame shape, Rice frame); frame mounted firing pin, hammer face is flat. Cylinder release is long pivoting lever on right side of frame (there are two different version of this). Serial numbered in its own series from 01 up to at least 89761 by the end of 1939. Starting in 1940 letter codes were used.

Early production until about 1933 the letter code "D" was used to denote double action.

First Variation; round heavy weight ribbed barrel with Blade non-adjustable front sight ----1932- to before April 18,1933

Second Variation; adjustable front sight------------1933 (after 4-18-1933)-

Third Variation; firing pin moved to hammer-------------------------1934

Fourth Variation; three inch barrel was offered----------------------1935

Fifth Variation; two patent dates marked on cylinder (before there was only one)---1936 (after 3-17)-1937

Sixth Variation; top of barrel markings moved to right side of barrel---------------1937-1939

Seventh Variation; 22 WFR caliber dropped, 3 inch barrel dropped--------------1940-1941

Eight Variation; one piece over size plastic grips are standard, limited production during WWII years----1942-1952

VALUE: 100%=$425 60%=$195 Add 15% premium for 1st Variation; %0% for 22WRF caliber; 30% for 3" barrel (scarce)

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN SECOND MODEL (NEW FRAME) ----- 1953-1972
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches, Adjustable Sights
VALUE: NIB:=$425, 95%=$365, 60%=$195

MODEL 999 SILVER SPORTSMAN ----- 1963-1966
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Chrome Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches only, serial number letter codes Z, AA, AB only
VALUE: (very seldom seen) 100%=$450 60%=$325

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN THIRD MODEL (TRANSFER BAR IGNITION) ----- 1973-1986
Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 4 & 6 inches (4 inch not added until 1979, Adjustable Sights. In 1979 Only the Model name was advertised as Model 999 Automatic-Ejecting and it was offered in that year only in 32 S&W Long caliber, 6 shot.
VALUE: NIB:=$425, 95%=$350, 60%=$175

MODEL 999 SPORTSMAN I OF 999 (TRANSFER BAR IGNITION)------1979-1986
Engraved with Fitted Wood Case, Top Break, Double Action, 22 Long Rifle Caliber, 9 shot, Blue Finish, Barrel Length 6 inches, Adjustable Sights VALUE: Collector value only if unfired, with all original tags, manuals, commemorative medallion, wooden presentation case and cardboard box;
100%=$700+ if in other than described condition it is valued as the Model 999 3rd Model plus 20% premium for engraving.

POST 1940, H&R SERIAL NUMBER LETTER CODES AND THE YEAR OF THEIR USAGE:
A=1940 B=1941 C=1942 D=1943 E=1944 F=1945 G=1946 H=1947
I =1948 J =1949 K=1950 L=1951 M=1952 N=1953 P=1954 R=1955
S=1956 T=1957 U=1958 V=1959 W=1960 X=1961 Y=1962 Z=1963

AA=1964 AB=1965 AC=1966 AD=1967 AE=1968 AF=1969
AG=1970 AH=1971 AJ =1972 AL=1973 AM=1974 AN=1975
AP=1976 AR=1977 AS=1978 AT=1979 AU=1980 AX=1981
AY=1982 AZ=1983 BA=1984 BB=1985 BC=1986

Notes:
1. AK prefix was used on a special series of handguns to commemorate the Kansas Centennial.
2. H&R ceased operations in February of 1986; firearms with the letter codes "BC" are scarce.

"SECOND LETTER" OF PREFIX STARTING WITH N OR H:
A= 1986 B= 1987 C= 1988 D= 1989 E= 1990 F= 1991 G= 1992 H= 1993
I= 1994 J= 1995 K= 1996 L=1997 M=1998 N=1999 P=2000 R=2001
S=2002 T=2003 U=2004 V=2005 W=2006 X=2007 Y=2008

Serial number prefixes changed in May 2008 and on, CBA for SB2 and CAC for SB1, the only source for build year is to call and ask.

 

Hello;
I have a perplexing problem for a H&R 999 date code serial number HL 0042xx. According to date codes on this thread the "H" is H&R, the "L" is 1997? This serial number does not make any sense. When was this 999 manufactured? The last 999 was made in 1986. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
-sevensix

 

The last 999 was made in 1986.

I think there was a run of them made in the '90's too.

I believe mine was manufactured then. I personally had no desire to own a H&R Sportsman 999 in 1986.

 

I just picked up an H&R Sportsman in very good condition. 6" barrel, Integral hammer, adjustable front sight. Serial number 380XX. Since there is no prefix, is it safe to assume its manufactured before 1940?

 

According to Old No7's post revolvers made before 1940 had no letter codes, so it would seem that yours, and the one I bought today, 599xx, are pre-war examples. I find it to be a quality firearm, it's design is very similar to old S&W revolvers and other break top pieces. That was a popular type back in the day, the Schofield is an example.

There is nothing cheap about these revolvers, fit and finish are very good. H&R made some of the better Garands during WWII, I had a few from CMP and they were better finished than the Springfields and Winchesters I had.

Old No7 has done a very good service by publishing this information, I Googled H&R dates earlier today and could find nothing of use.

 

H&R 999 Parkerized Frame?

I just purchased a Sportsman. The frame is black Parkerizing. The barrel is normal bluing. I suspect that it has been assembled from two different weapons. But haven't seen any mention of a Parkerized Sportsman. Anyone know anything about such? Would it have been manufactured with two different finishes on the same pistol? The date code on the serial number indicates that the frame was made in 1980. The barrel has a number underneath the cylinder would there be a serial number there that should match the frame? Right now the catch that releases the cylinder is stuck and won't let me take it off to look clearly at it.

It shoots well and I have no issues with it being cobbled together from two sets of parts. It will be my trapline gun and will get some field use this fall so if it gets dinged up a little more it won't be tragic.

 

I've seen some other makes of H&R guns that were "more black" than blue, but most Sportsmans I've seen were visibly "blue" where polished, while the recoil shield inside the frame was a matte black and noticeably different than the blueing.

Late in production, I'm told H&R did many things to use up parts and sell guns. Refer to the info I'd posted on this thread from the late Bill Goforth and you'll see that a nickle-plated "Silver Sportsman" had a run of a few defined years -- but I have one in my H&R Sportsman collection that was clearly factory done (as the markings are crisp, and the satin/matte finish matches that of other H&R guns from the same years which were done that way) and it was made just a couple of years before they closed for good. I've had other H&R collectors tell me that the "anything to sell a gun", or in your case "anything to make a functioning gun from parts" was probably being done by H&R

Anyway -- hope it's a good shooter. And good luck on the trapline!

Oh, and if you get a chance to post pictures of it -- let's see your black & blue Sportsman.

Old No7

 

Speaking of different color blueing on the same gun, I recently picked up a two tone H&r. The barrel is a typical blue but the action is more of a copper color. Something H&r did? Or is it a reblue gone wrong?

 

Without seeing it, I would suspect the latter...

I've seen older revolvers which had been reblued -- but they came out more of a "plum" (purple-ish) color; have never seen a copper one.

Old No7

 

my fathers suffered through a house fire and was reblued - it took on a plumb/copper coloring , have seen this often in the refinish process , never seen an H&R parkerized ,

 

and those were well respected as well , H&R has a long history of quality , no matter what you think of what they made , they were good at what they did

 

how did you remove cal I cannot find a way. just stops atop of slide. there is a pin through frame but don't want to use hammer as it won't budge after removing pin.