Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun - The Firearms Forum

Mr.Crouse · 07-18-2006, 09:51 AM

Hello, A friend has a collection of old guns she wants to sell. One of them I can't seem to find anything on. It says "Forehand" Hopkins & Allen Arms Co.Norwich, Conn USA serial number 15836 and all numbers match. The overall appearance is about 75% I'd say. Any idea when it was made and what its worth?

inplanotx · 07-18-2006, 10:11 AM

Doing a search on "forehand" through this forum has yielded this info.

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...light=forehand

Xracer · 07-18-2006, 02:56 PM

Hi Mr.Crouse.....welcome to TFF.

Hopkins & Allen purchased the Forehand Arms Co. in 1898 and continued to produce their line of firearms into the 1920's.

H&A made both hammer-type and hammerless boxlock and sidelock shotguns, with both steel and damascus barrels, and in several grades. However, if yours is a "Plain Jane" shotgun.....no fancy engraving or such, they all have about the same value, according to the Blue Book.

90% - $195
80% - $160
70% - $130

As for date of manufacture......I know of no resource for Serial # to date of manufacture for H&A guns. Sorry.

Mr.Crouse · 07-18-2006, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the info! Its a plain jane with steel barrels. Can it fire modern ammo? Theres other guns in the collection more interesting like a Parkers 12ga DBL muzzleloader w/o any numbers at all. Just has "London Fine Twist" on the barrrel top. and several Winchester M1892's. Theres also a Daisy DBL BB gun that I've been offered $1200 for!

southernshooter · 07-18-2006, 09:38 PM

They above prices sound right

Xracer · 07-19-2006, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Crouse

Can it fire modern ammo?

I wouldn't. The earlier ones were blackpowder guns and shouldn't be used with modern ammunition. The later ones were right on the cusp of the blackpowder-modern powder changeover......so I'm not sure about them.

Better be safe than sorry.

If you really want to shoot it, take it to a competent gunsmith for a thorough "hands-on" inspection and checkover, and see what he says.

Mr.Crouse · 07-19-2006, 07:54 AM

Good idea! I'll do that. If I ever did shoot it, it'd probly be just once or maybe at one of those pesky foxes round here.

Mr.Crouse · 07-19-2006, 07:56 AM

Where'd be a good place to get Blackpowder ammo?

Mr.Crouse · 07-20-2006, 06:11 AM

I went to a local gunsmith and he sold me a box of Classic Blackpowder Cartridges. That old 80 something gun really came to life! What a smooth shooter. No kick whatsoever. Great gun!

07-18-2006, 09:51 AM	#1
Mr.Crouse Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Hello, A friend has a collection of old guns she wants to sell. One of them I can't seem to find anything on. It says "Forehand" Hopkins & Allen Arms Co.Norwich, Conn USA serial number 15836 and all numbers match. The overall appearance is about 75% I'd say. Any idea when it was made and what its worth? -->

07-18-2006, 10:11 AM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Doing a search on "forehand" through this forum has yielded this info. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/show...light=forehand __________________

07-18-2006, 02:56 PM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Hi Mr.Crouse.....welcome to TFF. Hopkins & Allen purchased the Forehand Arms Co. in 1898 and continued to produce their line of firearms into the 1920's. H&A made both hammer-type and hammerless boxlock and sidelock shotguns, with both steel and damascus barrels, and in several grades. However, if yours is a "Plain Jane" shotgun.....no fancy engraving or such, they all have about the same value, according to the Blue Book. 90% - $195 80% - $160 70% - $130 As for date of manufacture......I know of no resource for Serial # to date of manufacture for H&A guns. Sorry.

07-18-2006, 03:22 PM	#4
Mr.Crouse Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Thanks for the info! Its a plain jane with steel barrels. Can it fire modern ammo? Theres other guns in the collection more interesting like a Parkers 12ga DBL muzzleloader w/o any numbers at all. Just has "London Fine Twist" on the barrrel top. and several Winchester M1892's. Theres also a Daisy DBL BB gun that I've been offered $1200 for!

07-18-2006, 09:38 PM	#5
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun They above prices sound right __________________ Only you can see this

07-19-2006, 07:54 AM	#7
Mr.Crouse Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Good idea! I'll do that. If I ever did shoot it, it'd probly be just once or maybe at one of those pesky foxes round here.

07-19-2006, 07:56 AM	#8
Mr.Crouse Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun Where'd be a good place to get Blackpowder ammo?

07-20-2006, 06:11 AM	#9
Mr.Crouse Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Hopkins & Allen "Forehand" 12ga. DBL Shotgun I went to a local gunsmith and he sold me a box of Classic Blackpowder Cartridges. That old 80 something gun really came to life! What a smooth shooter. No kick whatsoever. Great gun!