Simple, reliable and ignored by many, the Topper is a classic working rifle in every detail. |
By Ralph M. Lermayer
These days, it seems that all the glory press goes to the upper crust of the shooting world: the latest rifle, the snazziest custom rig or some tweaked-up version of an old standby.
High-dollar rigs are no doubt capable of pretty spectacular results. Claims of reliable, smooth functioning and the ability to place a bullet precisely where it needs to be, especially at long range, usually accompany these wonders. According to the hype and ad copy, if you dole out big bucks for one of these new rigs, that's what they'll deliver.
What you rarely read about is the inexpensive, strong, versatile and easy-to-pack rifle that's been delivering exactly those kind of results since it was introduced decades ago. This little single shot has had many monikers, as company after company seized on and marketed this classic and proven design, but the name most recognized will always be "The Topper."
Its current guardian, New England Firearms (a division of Marlin), calls it the Handi Rifle with sub-names like Sidekick, Huntsman, Pardner and Tracker, depending on how it's set up. But no matter the logo, it will always be the Topper to those of us who began our hunting careers with, and understand the virtues of, this classic tip-open single shot.
History & Design
It's a design with a heritage that goes back to a heyday in U.S. arms manufacturing. The development of the self-contained cartridge created a flurry of activity as designers scrambled to come up with the best way to utilize it. Trapdoor Springfields, Remington Rolling Blocks and similar ideas flooded the market. They were complicated, costly and labor-intensive to build, but they worked.
This design, however, can be traced back to one Frank Wesson, the lesser-known brother of Dan Wesson of Smith & Wesson fame. You don't hear much about Frank - his brother gets the glory because of the success of Smith & Wesson - but Frank's designs had a huge impact on firearm development.
The easy-access barrel-release tab disengages the internal V-block. Note the attractive case-hardened coloration. |
As with many designers of that era, he was good at designing but lousy at marketing, so partnerships with business and money people were common. And, as is still the case today, these partnerships were often strained and splits happened with regularity. His first joint venture was with Gilbert Harrington, and together they secured patents on Wesson's design. Eventually they parted ways, but the Wesson & Harrington logo was stamped on many products.
After the split, Harrington took the patents, partnered with William A. Richardson, and the firm of Harrington & Richardson (H&R) was formed. That partnership became one of the longest-lived gun manufacturers in U.S. history, lasting over a century. H&R Topper single-shot rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders were manufactured by the millions during that period and continue today. Eventually, H&R was bought by New England Firearms (NEF), and later that firm was gobbled up by the current owner, Marlin Firearms.
While there have been many owners, many names and different manufacturing locations, one thing has remained constant: The single-shot changeable barrel, tip-up design has held its own through in-house financial turmoil and a flood of modern competitive rifle introductions. The design works, it's affordable and shooters all over the world still buy them as primary hunting rifles, backup arms, starter guns and farm and ranch tools.
Someone once said, "Any fool can make something complicated, but it takes real genius to make it simple." The Topper action is incredibly simple, yet accomplishes everything anyone could ask a rifle to do. With a push of a thumb tab, the barrel pivots or tips open. During that action, an ejector pushes the case back for easy extraction or ejects it completely.
Fitting a scope to any Topper is a simple matter. One-piece bases are widely available from several firms. |
Pushing that tang-mounted tab pushes back a spring-loaded V-block that has engaged in a matching V-cut on a lug under the barrel. That V-block and matching lug measure over a half-inch wide and more than 2 inches long when mated and create a strong, positive, consistent lockup. Much of the inherent accuracy for which the Topper is noted comes from this system.
There have been several different ways of disengaging this V-block over the years, including Wesson's earliest, a second trigger, but today's tang-mounted push tab has proven to be the most convenient and cost-effective. A hardened steel pivot pin in front of the receiver mates to a cutout on the front of the V-block lug, holding the case squarely against the breech block when closed.
That lockup will contain pressures up to and including the likes of a 3-inch shotgun shell, .30-06 centerfire or the venerable .45-70 with modern loads. When closed, the Topper creates a solid, strong and mechanically repeatable lockup that was far ahead of its time. A simple push on the tab moves the spring-loaded V-block rearward. This disengages the lug, and the barrel tips open on the steel pivot pin.
When open, the entire breech and chamber are fully exposed and easily accessed for reloading, cleaning, inspection or whatever. For the novice, newcomer or ultra safety-conscious, there's no safer, more verifiable state of carry for any firearm.
From top to bottom:
12-gauge Deluxe Classic
The Huntsman
The Handi-Rifle
The Survivor |
Manually cocking the hammer puts the rifle in fire mode. Minimal parts, minimal motion, total reliability and accurate far beyond its simple design - that is true genius.
The design lends itself to fast-switch barrels for centerfire, muzzleloader or rimfire applications. For most, it's simply a matter of fitting a new barrel to the existing frame. New barrels must be properly headspaced, so getting a different barrel for your existing frame requires a factory fit, but it's inexpensive and turnaround is fast. If your original frame was designed for a centerfire, then you have all options open to you. Some shotgun-only models, however, were designed for lighter pressures and can only be fitted with additional shotgun or muzzleloader barrels.
Current Offerings
Want a 12-gauge turkey barrel that will handle 3-inch shells or a rifled 12-gauge slug barrel drilled and tapped for a scope? How about a .50-caliber muzzleloader barrel? All can be fitted on your centerfire receiver to create a gun for all seasons. Many combinations can be ordered as a package. The current Versa-Pack provides a rimfire (.17 or .22) and a .410-barrel, while the Huntsman Combo comes with a 12-gauge shotgun, .50-caliber muzzleloader and a .243. These options handle anything most people will ever hunt for far less money than you would otherwise spend for a single firearm.
While the action and lockup design has remained virtually unchanged, manufacturing materials, stock design and exterior ergonomics have changed along with current marketing trends. Stainless steel is now available for both receiver and barrel. Stock choices vary from classic American walnut to polymer and wood laminates in a variety of colors.
There is even a "Survivor" set-up with a thumbhole stock that houses a compartment to store survival tools. It has a unique chamber that will accept a .410 shotshell or a .45 Colt pistol cartridge without changing the barrel. That chambering is matched to a fully rifled barrel with a screw-in choke system to best use the shotshell option.
And, of course, a camo buttstock and fore-end is offered for the turkey hunter. In the shotgun-only version, the Deluxe Classic comes with a full-length vent rib and a bead front sight.
However you want to mix and match looks and materials, there's not much you can't hang on or build around the proven Topper action, and it's all available from the current source, New England Firearms.
At the Bench
It seems that Toppers have repeatedly come and gone in my life, but there's always one or two hanging around. For many years, I relied on a model chambered in .22 Hornet for truck duty around the ranch. It accounted for scores of skunks, coyotes and a fair number of rattlesnakes. Some unknown light-fingered dude relieved me of it, and it has been replaced by a 12 gauge that delivers a load of Hevi-Shot with impressive results.
I have owned .222s and .223s that shot well enough to actually compete with when fed a diet of handloads developed especially for them. Both my sons began their deer hunting with a .243 or 7mm-08-chambered Topper, as will my grandkids in the near future. They carry light enough for a small-framed shooter, are safe and accurate, and drive home the "Make The First Shot Count" philosophy that will stay with them for a lifetime.
It is a simple matter to find a factory load your Topper likes in any caliber. With a little handloading, however, these guns deliver stellar results. Perhaps my all-time favorite is a model I received as a gift when I first began playing around in the Cowboy Action arena. It is called the Buffalo Classic, sports a 32-inch round barrel, and is chambered in the venerable .45-70. The receiver is vintage multi-color case hardened, and the stock is hand-checkered with a curved brass buttplate.
When scoped, that rifle sends Remington or Federal factory loads within 21/2 inches at 100 yards and often shoots groups half that with handloads. When fitted with the Lyman tang sight, I can consistently tip over 8-inch plates to 200 yards. Others with more skill get a lot more performance out of the rifle. In a link to its past, this particular rifle is actually stamped Wesson & Harrington, a roll stamp that only lasted for a few years. The current versions carry the H&R logo.
As an elk, hog or medium-range whitetail gun, it's a ball to carry and tips them over with authority. Some may call it homely. Its statistics might not seem like much when compared to the latest crop of canyon-stretching wonders. But 12 head of big game have fallen to its bark from my hands, and none required a second shot. That is just the history of one favorite Topper.
There is yet another Topper fast rising to my first-choice status. It's the Ultra Varmint Hunter chambered in .223, and set up with a laminate stock and 4-12x Bushnell Elite scope. When calling coyotes in close, you never know quite where they'll pop up, but you can almost count on facing the wrong way when they do appear. This little rifle shifts from my strong side to my weak side fast, and without the bolt hardware in the way, I can shoot it nearly as well right- or left-handed. As soon as the new .204 Ruger barrel is available, it will see a trip back to Gardiner, Mass., for that option.
It would be sad to imagine a world without the humble little Topper. How would we start our kids? What would we reach for behind the truck seat when that odd predator appears? What better choice for a hard-knock turkey or slug gun that will deliver the goods every time without shelling out a lot of cash or worrying about a lot of abuse? It's been with us for decades, and hopefully will be around for decades more.
Thanks, Frank!
Ralph M. Lermayer
GunHunter Magazine - November 2005