Value of revolver - The Firearms Forum

Chief AFD · 07-10-2003, 03:27 PM

I was given a Hopkins & Allen XL 8 double action 32 cal.
serial #8484 revolver. I would like to know the year it was made and the value.

Chief AFD

1952Sniper · 07-10-2003, 03:41 PM

Hi Chief AFD. I don't know nothin' about the revolver you're asking about. I just wanted to welcome you to the board. Somebody around here is bound to know the answer, though.

Xracer · 07-11-2003, 08:41 AM

Hi Chief.......welcome to TFF.

This is a little bit of a mystery. According to the 2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms, the XL 8 was a .44 rimfire.

Hopkins & Allen Army Revolver....in .44 rimfire with a 4.5", 6", or 7.5" barrel. The top strap marked "XL No. 8". Several hundred were manufactured between 1878 and 1882.

Good - $2250
Fair - $850
Poor - $350

The caliber and the 8-thousand serial number of yours (far above the "several hundred manufactured") would seem to indicate that it's not the XL 8 mentioned above.

Hopkins & Allen was established in 1868 and produced a variety of inexpensive spur trigger revolvers in .22, .32, .38, or .41 caliber often marked with trade names such as, Acme, Blue Jacket, Captain Jack, Chichester, Defender, Dictator, Hopkins & Allen, Imperial Arms Co., Monarch, Mountain Eagle, Ranger, Tower's Police Safety, Universal, and XL.

Good - $400
Fair - $175
Poor - $75

Some of these revolvers are hinged-frame, double-action break-opens with round ribbed barrels of various lengths. Blued or nickel-plated, with checkered plastic grips.

Good - $400
Fair - $175
Poor - $75

The Blue Book also lists an "XL Model" as being a solid frame, five shot, double action, hammer or "bobbed hammer" in .22, .32, and .38. Depending on condition, values range from $45 to $120.

If you can give us a more complete description, maybe we can nail it down for you.

Chief AFD · 07-11-2003, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the reply Xracer, it is a five shot 32 with a 2 1/2 "
barrel solid frame but it does have on the top of the frame
left of the sight grove X L 8 DOUBLE ACTION
32 CAL. CENTRE FIRE
just the way i typed it.
It is also chrome plated.
THANKS

Xracer · 07-12-2003, 08:46 AM

That would be nickle plate, not chrome.

Sounds like that's the XL series. From around 1900 to the 1930's H & A made a large variety of inexpensive handguns (commonly known as "Saturday Nite Specials") under a large variety of tradenames.

This same gun was also made as the "Forehand & Wadsworth" "Double Action Automatic Police Revolver" and in 1902 was in the Sears, Roebuck catalog for $1.65

Value today, depending on condition, would be in the $45-120 range.

If you're thinking of shooting it, best have it checked out by a gunsmith. These weren't real high quality revolvers to start with, and they sure haven't improved over time.

Chief AFD · 07-12-2003, 04:57 PM

Old firearms I collect, new firearms I shoot. I have five old handguns I just recieved and I took your addvice and went to the library and looked them up in the 2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms.

Thanks Xracer I appreciate the help.

07-10-2003, 03:27 PM	#1
Chief AFD Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Fort Myers, Fl. Posts: 13	Value of revolver I was given a Hopkins & Allen XL 8 double action 32 cal. serial #8484 revolver. I would like to know the year it was made and the value. Chief AFD -->

07-10-2003, 03:41 PM	#2
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Hi Chief AFD. I don't know nothin' about the revolver you're asking about. I just wanted to welcome you to the board. Somebody around here is bound to know the answer, though.

07-11-2003, 08:41 AM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Hi Chief.......welcome to TFF. This is a little bit of a mystery. According to the 2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms, the XL 8 was a .44 rimfire. Hopkins & Allen Army Revolver....in .44 rimfire with a 4.5", 6", or 7.5" barrel. The top strap marked "XL No. 8". Several hundred were manufactured between 1878 and 1882. Good - $2250 Fair - $850 Poor - $350 The caliber and the 8-thousand serial number of yours (far above the "several hundred manufactured") would seem to indicate that it's not the XL 8 mentioned above. Hopkins & Allen was established in 1868 and produced a variety of inexpensive spur trigger revolvers in .22, .32, .38, or .41 caliber often marked with trade names such as, Acme, Blue Jacket, Captain Jack, Chichester, Defender, Dictator, Hopkins & Allen, Imperial Arms Co., Monarch, Mountain Eagle, Ranger, Tower's Police Safety, Universal, and XL. Good - $400 Fair - $175 Poor - $75 Some of these revolvers are hinged-frame, double-action break-opens with round ribbed barrels of various lengths. Blued or nickel-plated, with checkered plastic grips. Good - $400 Fair - $175 Poor - $75 The Blue Book also lists an "XL Model" as being a solid frame, five shot, double action, hammer or "bobbed hammer" in .22, .32, and .38. Depending on condition, values range from $45 to $120. If you can give us a more complete description, maybe we can nail it down for you.

07-11-2003, 08:46 PM	#4
Chief AFD Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Fort Myers, Fl. Posts: 13	Thanks for the reply Xracer, it is a five shot 32 with a 2 1/2 " barrel solid frame but it does have on the top of the frame left of the sight grove X L 8 DOUBLE ACTION 32 CAL. CENTRE FIRE just the way i typed it. It is also chrome plated. THANKS

07-12-2003, 08:46 AM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	That would be nickle plate, not chrome. Sounds like that's the XL series. From around 1900 to the 1930's H & A made a large variety of inexpensive handguns (commonly known as "Saturday Nite Specials") under a large variety of tradenames. This same gun was also made as the "Forehand & Wadsworth" "Double Action Automatic Police Revolver" and in 1902 was in the Sears, Roebuck catalog for $1.65 Value today, depending on condition, would be in the $45-120 range. If you're thinking of shooting it, best have it checked out by a gunsmith. These weren't real high quality revolvers to start with, and they sure haven't improved over time.

07-12-2003, 04:57 PM	#6
Chief AFD Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Fort Myers, Fl. Posts: 13	Old firearms I collect, new firearms I shoot. I have five old handguns I just recieved and I took your addvice and went to the library and looked them up in the 2003 Standard Catalog of Firearms. Thanks Xracer I appreciate the help.