H&R Biathalon rifle? Some help from the experts please.

[MTFalconer]

I have a rifle in the gun safe that I picked up a good while ago and honestly forgot all about. It is manufactured by Harrington and Richardson and looks to be set up for Biathalon or offhand competition. Few curious notable things. First off the serial number is H+R002, it is equipped with Redfield Olympic sights and also has Unertl blocks on the barrel. The heavy target barrel is roll stamped as an "Medalist". 5 shot magazine looks to be from the H&R leatherneck, as I have one of these also and they are identical. Trigger has an external adjustment for sensitivity. Butt stock is an adjustable piece that was handmade by someone and has a hook for catching under the armpit for support. It is surprisingly accurate with Lapua ammunition. I have won several bench rest matches with it switching to a Unertl 12x scope. I am thinking of parting with this rifle and I know essentially nothing about it. I will get some good pictures of it to post tomorrow in the daylight. Anyone seen anything like this and want to venture a guess as to value? I am needing some new glass and wanted to trade or sell it to get it. Any help is appreciated. I am sure there are some HR guys here that know more than me.

 

[n64atlas]

I'm interested in the rifle as I collect H&R Reising series rifles. This one uses the same magazine as you have determined. PM me when you figure out a price. I don't want to venture a guess as I'm interested in it.

 

[MTFalconer]

All I can add is that I took it to SHOT show years back and had the HR guys look at it in their booth. All they could tell me was that it was a prototype built for the Olympics.

 

[n64atlas]

From a quick search, there were two Medalist models that were in production in the late 1940's. The model 450 and 451. The 450 was
discontinued during the first run of these, 1948-1950. They made the 451 again from 1959-1961. H&R did have a habit of starting serial numbers over on different model types. You can see this with the Reisings. They also continue some numbers like with the M65 and MC-58. Without a letter from H&R, it would only be speculation if it was a prototype. The guys at SHOT were not historians of that eara of H&R. You would have to get a letter from the company historian to see if they did make the mods to the rifle. Whit out proof, it is a modified 450/451 with an early serial number. Even though the people at SHOT said it might be a prototype. Was it used in the Olympic's? There would be some documentation on who used it, somewhere. Did it fit the requirements of an Olympic rifle of the day? They were strict with what could be used in competition. Weight, trigger pull, length, storage for mags, ect. You might have a gem or someones home build for 3P/4P shooting. Hard to put a price on the first, worth a lot less if the second. From some other forums, in original condition, it is a $450 rifle by itself in excellent original condition. Redfield sights are $75-$150 and the Unertl depends on model and power.
One other thing, the but plate might not be hand made, but adapted to fit that rifle. There were various companies making butt hook style plates at that time frame.

 

[MTFalconer]

I don't make any claim to know for sure which it is. Just repeating what I was told. I did disassemble the rifle just now to get pictures and saw that model 451 was obscured from view in the stock. The sights on it are "Redfield Palma", with an adjustable diopter rear insert that I installed for shooting it offhand. Pics to follow.

 

[n64atlas]

I have several sets of Palmas, good sights for their day. They were added later as the Palma didn't come out till 72 or so. What front sight is on it? They didn't make a Palma front sight They used either the Olympic, International small bore or International Big bore sights.
Do you have inserts for the front sight? Here's a pic of the Redfield sight family: