Any topper experts?

[BT8850]

At a gun show saturday I noticed a box of 'make offer' so naturally I went rooting through it. Found a complete reciever (less stock/barrel/forearm) for a H&R Topper M48, guessing 12 gauge or 16. No rust, Hammer cocks nice and tight, trigger is solid, firing pin gives a solid strike when the hammer falls, and all the guts seem tight. The guy seemed delighted to take my $10 for it so I can't complain, said he got it in a box of parts at an auction and didn't know much about it.

My question is does anyone know what barrels will fit on this? It's been mentioned that New England Firearms guns are similar or the same? Would this reciever take any of the 'handy-rifle' barrels? I'm pretty clueless on the H&R's but I know many people are fans. The only break-action i've messed with is my old Iver Johnson and I like it alot, so i'd like to try and get this thing back shooting if it's doable for cheap.

Any insight or information you guys can provide will be appreciated!

Also, note, looking through a random box of magazines at the show I found a perfect condition SW 1066 mag with a yellow follower for $15, fits the 1006 like a glove! 

[rw]

Nothing but a shotgun barrel is safe on that frame if its in good condition. Honestly it is not worth fixing up if its a basket case now. I do not remember if the locking mechanism is compatible with the later barrels or not.  I had one in similar condition i got for $10 with a barrel, i parted it out since the parts it needed didnt exist and werent worth the trouble to fabricate when i could get a newer fully functional h&r/nef for not much more.

The h&r forum on graybeard outdoors is the best source for info on anything related to these guns and the later offspring the handi rifle.

[BT8850]

rw, thanks for the response and the link, there really is a ton of information there! I'd read some posts on the gray beard boards through my google searching for info but did not realize they have such extensive H&R info.

You make very good points, maybe it's not worth getting into fixing it. We'll see, maybe something cheap will turn up!