Firearm experts needed!

[SCDigginWithAK]

I have been passed down my great grandfathers revolver. I cannot find the exact revolver online so I need y'all's help! I'm looking for the age of the pistol and maybe how much it is worth even though I have no plans on selling it ever. Patent dates are March 28, 1871 January 5, 1886 (or 8?) it says Hopkins & Allen MF'G Co
X.L. Double Action 32 cal centre fire

Thanks,
SCDigginWithAK

 

[Loco-Digger]

Is this the same as your's?


[url=http://www.gunsamerica.com/929729784/HOPKINS-ALLEN-32-REVOLVER.htm]HOPKINS & ALLEN .32 REVOLVER for sale (929729784)[/URL]

 

[Tedyoh]

Is this the same as your's?


[url=http://www.gunsamerica.com/929729784/HOPKINS-ALLEN-32-REVOLVER.htm]HOPKINS & ALLEN .32 REVOLVER for sale (929729784)[/URL]

I don't think it's the same - different hammer than the OP's - in quick searching I found out that they made many, many varieties of these pistols, so many that a lot were not even advertised - here's some dating info, the lower the serial number the better (for pricing), if the serial number is not stamped on the barrel, it may be under the grips, you will need to take them off obviously, or possibly on or behind the the cylinder, on the frame below the barrel or hammer.

Auto Ejecting Revolvers
.32 S&W caliber, 6 shot double action revolver, top break, 3 1/2", 5" of 5 1/2" barrel with folding hammer, made from 1885 to 1907

.32 S&W caliber, 6 shot double action revolver, top break, 3" or 3 1/4" barrel, hammerless, made from 1894 to 1907

.38 S&W caliber, 6 shot double action revolver, top break, 3" or 3 1/4" barrel, hammerless, made from 1894 to 1907


---------------------------------


Patent dates found on H&A guns

patent date inventor
March 28. 1871 Samuel S. Hopkins
April 27, 1875 Henry H. Hopkins
June 29, 1975 Charles W. Hopkins
April 23, 1878 William H. Bliss
(not certain that guns with this patent date were really made by H&A)
May 27, 1879 George W. Cilley

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Between $45 and $60. They don't hold much interest for shooters or collectors.

 

[tamrock]

A inexpensive small caliber pre "Saturday night special" of it's time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_night_special Probably from your Great Granddads boot legging days. My Granddad had one also.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Still really cool. I don't care about the value but more about the history. He used it when he was a night guard at a Lumber factory in Philadelphia.

 

[favored papa]

The O P is not a top brake . notice no hinge in frount of the trigger guard. other comments. are correct low dollar family heirloom to keep forever. Wish i had one of my Grandfathers guns.

 

[vpnavy]

I have been passed down my great grandfathers revolver. I cannot find the exact revolver online...

Very nice. Found an interesting article (PDF) on: HOPKINS & ALLEN GUNS (PDF FILE)

 

[Reed Lukens]

Hopkins & Allen XL Double Action Revolver

HOPKINS & ALLEN XL DOUBLE ACTION .32 S&W : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I found this on it -
The H&A Double Action No 6 was manufacture between 1896 and 1899. in 1899 H&A had a fire and after that the only solid frame double action revolvers manufactured were the XL series. although there was only a small difference in the double action series and the double action XL series.

The value can be very low if in poor condition but some of the large frame double action models will bring as much as $300 plus if in excellent condition like your's. This is a Keeper Be sure to write up the known history for your kids or whoever because it greatly increases the value.

A picture with grampa holding it would be worth....

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Nice pistol, I love those old hardware store revolvers, even though collectors don't seem to. If it were mine, I'd get some ammo and shoot it. I am pretty sure your revolver would have been made to fire cartridges loaded with black powder, you'll need to date the gun to be sure, but firing modern smokeless powder loads in it is not a good idea, and can damage the gun. Black powder cartridges are commercially available, but can be a bit pricey, which would make it a special occasions shooter.... I think they're a lot of fun, mainly because hitting anything at a range of around 20 feet can be a real challenge.... If you're not familiar with inspecting old guns to see if they are safe to fire, take it to a gunsmith and have them look it over, but yours, with the plating being in such good condition, I would expect the metal to be solid, so long as the cylinder locks snugly in place when it's cocked, and aligns right with the barrel, and nothing is loose or sloppy, I would expect it to work just fine. A Good gunsmith will be able to tell you if it's black powder only, or safe for modern loads.

 

[BosnMate]

In the 1897 Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog, they have a Hopkins and Allen double action revolver listed for sale for $1.70. It was the same price for either .32 or .38 caliber. It's basically the same gun you have. It's far from being the cheapest gun however, the cheapest hand gun listed has an unnamed maker, it's a 7 shot nickle plated revolver in .22 rim-fire for .68 cents. And of course the Colt revolvers are the most expensive. The .38 police special runs $10 and $11 dollars. The Colt single action army in 1897 cost a whopping $12.96.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Greatly appreciate it y'all! I've fired it a few times when I was younger and it still works today. Couldn't hit the side of a barn with it, but it works! We have some ammo from what I presume is the 30s that has been passed down as well.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

You might be surprised to find out that box of bullets might be worth as much as the gun to the right collector. Old ammo boxes are in demand, and having at least some of the original ammo in the box is a big plus. Also I don't see "smokeless powder" anywhere on that box, which tells me that your gun is most likely going to be a black powder gun, and that you don't want to shoot modern smokeless loads through it.

 

[NHBandit]

There is a market for nice well made examples... Here's an interesting take on the subject.. And FYI yours is on the list he provides and is made prior to 1899. The Pre-1899 Antique Guns FAQ

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Careful with that "U.S. Firearms Law". Local and State laws can and will trump Federal Laws; especially in the matter of concealed pistols.

For what you keep in your nightstand it doesn't matter . . . until you use it. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by six. ;-)

 

[Reed Lukens]

The Pre-1899 Antique Guns FAQ was a great article Here out west in California though getting the ammo is next to impossible, especially 22 cal. We used to be able to buy bricks of them all day long and now we are lucky to find a box of 50. The feds might not have been able to ban guns but bullets in any common caliber are tough to come by in this left state.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

NY as well. The latest governor has enacted the "SAFE Act" that assures only criminals can get ammunition easily.

.22LR fodder and reloading primers got very scarce hereabouts when folks panicked at the current president and started hoarding up. It has never returned to available since. I just made my semi-weekly run to the local Gander Mt and again the .22LR shelf was bare. Sometimes they have it behind the customer service counter and sell one box of 50 per customer - and usually some odd off brand so you have no idea how it will shoot vs. the last brand you could find.

It's times like these I'm glad I kept my recurves and wood arrow making equipment.