✅ SOLVED Junk Revolver experts needed

[oldbattleaxe]

What is this piece? No maker marks, just numbers. Thanks

 

[d2]

There should be something on the left side of the barrel or the top of it closer to the frame. If you can brush it off with a wire wheel it should remove the rust where you can read the stamping. I will guess and H&R at the best or and RG at the worst...d2

 

[creskol]

For some reason I want to say its a Swiss model, but I don't know for sure. Cool Find though!

 

[oldbattleaxe]

I cannot see any markings at all. There is a lot of rust pitting. 153 stamped in but frame.

 

[d2]

Those numbers may be the serial number...d2

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That's an odd one.... When I saw the slide down loading gate notch (red oval) my first thought was a Merwin and Hulbert, but I can't find a match to any of their guns yet. Second thing I noticed is that it had a hinged ejector rod which is broken off (blue oval)



It sort of looks like an old Colt Police Positive .38, or New Service revolver but those had a swing out cylinder..... I'll keep looking though because now I want to know what the heck it is too

The loading gate cut out will be the key feature to ID it, if you find a match in shape with that style loading gate you'll be able to make a fairly certain ID

This pic is a Merwin and Hulbert, the loading gate on yours would have been similar :


I think it's neat, I made a lamp out of an old junk revolver so they always catch my eye now

 

[NOLA_Ken]

And I found it.... It's a Hopkins and Allen XL No. 8 Army Revolver. The three digit serial number makes it from the first year of production. the only markings on it other than the serial number will be on the top strap over the cylinder.....



https://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1906

 

[nagant]

I saw M&H features Too. Here is why--- (Around 1877, after they had gained experience in manufacturing large frame revolvers for Merwin, Hulbert & Company, Hopkins & Allen introduced their own line of large frame, single action revolvers to compete with Colt and Smith & Wesson, the two major American handgun manufacturers of the period. These guns constituted the “XL No 8” line of handguns, which included the XL Army (.44 caliber, both rimfire & WCF), XL Navy (.38 RF caliber) and XL Police (also .38 RF caliber). It is believed that a total of 2,700 of the large framed XL No 8 revolvers of all models were produced by Hopkins & Allen between 1877 and 1885. The .44 caliber Army model was available with a 4 ½”, 6” or 7 ½” barrels as standard, and was primarily chambered for .44-40 (.44 Winchester Center Fire), with a small number also produced in .44 Rimfire Henry.) I Think yours is a .44 henry rimfire by the looks of that hammer, nice find!

 

[oldbattleaxe]

I think the maker of this relic is solved. With all of your help I had found a website with the history of the Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 Army rim fire revolver. Supposedly less than a few hundred made. There are two places marked 158. One at the lower grip frame and the other under the barrel. Too bad this one is in sorry shape. It looks like it was deliberately damaged. I guess I will leave it in a rusty state for a wall hanger. For those interested, College Hill Arsenal has the history and one that was sold.

 

[Getter]

And I found it.... It's a Hopkins and Allen XL No. 8 Army Revolver. The three digit serial number makes it from the first year of production. the only markings on it other than the serial number will be on the top strap over the cylinder.....

View attachment 1459179

https://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1906

That is some awesome firearms detecting. And a very awesome finds!

 

[Getter]

Agree with post#6, make a lamp of it, May I ask how it was found?

 

[Old Pueblo]

Did these see much action in WW1?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Did these see much action in WW1?

I doubt it. They were discontinued for 30 years before we entered the Great War.

Collectors Firearms Archives - Home

Though here is one owned by Poncho Via. ;-) "Rarest of the Cowboy Guns"

https://www.gunauction.com/buy/9485260

 

[d2]

Great job on the ID...d2

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I think the maker of this relic is solved. With all of your help I had found a website with the history of the Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 Army rim fire revolver. Supposedly less than a few hundred made. There are two places marked 158. One at the lower grip frame and the other under the barrel. Too bad this one is in sorry shape. It looks like it was deliberately damaged. I guess I will leave it in a rusty state for a wall hanger. For those interested, College Hill Arsenal has the history and one that was sold.

It's a real shame it's so beat up, but I would imagine that it will still have some collector interest just based on how scarce they are. Probably no real monetary value to speak of but there's a chance an H&A collector might like it. I think if I had it I would make a shadow box type frame for it with a card in it explaining what it is. It'll definitely make a nice wall hanger.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Agree with post#6, make a lamp of it, May I ask how it was found?

It;s a good use for broken guns, I made this out of a Rossi .357 that would have cost more than it was worth to fix.

 

[oldbattleaxe]

Thanks to all and especially D2 for the knowledge of this relic. In 1997 my wife and I traveled the back roads of Arizona stopping at antique and yard sales. A Native American sale in a parking lot near State Route 82 and 90. This piece was on the table along with a few other relics. The seller said it was found in the desert on the surface. That is all I have on it. If only it could talk. Thanks to you all. Treasure net is loaded with lots of information. Bill One more question? I was wondering what I should coat this relic with if I decide to put it in a case for display. Suggestions welcome. Thanks again Bill