Hopkins and Allen XL8 - The Firearms Forum

nrose07 · 08-18-2012, 12:21 AM

Just got a hand me down and I'm doing some research into its era, rarity, and value. Hopkins & Allen XL8 .44 SA nickel plated with a lanyard. Serial number #58. I'm thinking this was a navy issue with the plating and lanyard?

RJay · 08-18-2012, 05:30 PM

It looks to be a H&A Army Model, However in spite of the name there is no record of the US military ( or any Military ) ever ordering them or using them.
There was a Army Model, Navy Model and Police Model. Manufactured from the late 1870's until the early 1880's. Flayderman's guide states only a few hundred were made. It is listed in good condition at 500, yours seems to be less than good so I would scale down the value accordingly. FWIW, nickle plating was desirable in the black powder era because of the ease in cleaning, later in the modern smokeless cartridge era most inexpensive firearms were nickle plated because it was cheaper to plate them than have a workman spend the time polish them for bluing. Blued guns usually sold for a few cents more on the market.

nrose07 · 08-18-2012, 07:16 PM

Thank you! That was just what I needed and also where I need to do more reading. I didn't know about Flayderman, but I've found the guide online and the 9th edition now values it at $900. Thanks RJay!

08-18-2012, 12:21 AM	#1
nrose07 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2	Hopkins and Allen XL8 Just got a hand me down and I'm doing some research into its era, rarity, and value. Hopkins & Allen XL8 .44 SA nickel plated with a lanyard. Serial number #58. I'm thinking this was a navy issue with the plating and lanyard? Attached Images -->

08-18-2012, 05:30 PM	#2
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL8 It looks to be a H&A Army Model, However in spite of the name there is no record of the US military ( or any Military ) ever ordering them or using them. There was a Army Model, Navy Model and Police Model. Manufactured from the late 1870's until the early 1880's. Flayderman's guide states only a few hundred were made. It is listed in good condition at 500, yours seems to be less than good so I would scale down the value accordingly. FWIW, nickle plating was desirable in the black powder era because of the ease in cleaning, later in the modern smokeless cartridge era most inexpensive firearms were nickle plated because it was cheaper to plate them than have a workman spend the time polish them for bluing. Blued guns usually sold for a few cents more on the market. __________________ RonJames

08-18-2012, 07:16 PM	#3
nrose07 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL8 Thank you! That was just what I needed and also where I need to do more reading. I didn't know about Flayderman, but I've found the guide online and the 9th edition now values it at $900. Thanks RJay!