A unique design shotgun that had a very short production run, here’s how to work the Harrington & Richardson Model 402.

by David W. Manney

The Harrington & Richardson Model 402 was produced between 1959 and 196 with production ceasing at the same time the Models 400 and 401 shotguns were released. All of these models are pump shotguns and remaining stock sold until 1967.

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The 402 is unique in that the receiver has side plates that are screwed on. I could find very little on this shotgun as it is only mention briefly in my H&R history book and Jack First has a very bad photocopied drawing in their catalog. The sides of the receiver are made of aluminum and most of the parts are stamped steel. I’ve had two of these come into my shop for cleaning within weeks of each other. Both owners said they were bought at Sears by relatives, back when there was one in our town. Sears closed in the mid-sixties along with Wards. Neither shotgun had a serial number on it.

Read the full article in the October 2022 issue.

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