Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. - The Firearms Forum

Top_Breaker · 10-18-2012, 05:32 PM

Hello Gents!

I'm guessing I posted my original thread in the wrong forum and haven't received any replies to help me. So I figured I try here.

I have just acquired a nice little Hopkins & Allen Dictator spur hammer in .32 RF with original birds-head grips and it's finish settling into a warm brown patina with a brass front sight. Serial# 6105. This one also looks like it was never nickle plated.

Where all Hopkins & Allen revolver's nickel plated? In doing research, 99% of what I see in the Hopkins & Allen pocket revolvers are nickle.
But I can't find this exact version like the one pictured.

Anymore factoids on this piece would be much appreciated!

Top_Breaker · 10-18-2012, 05:33 PM

More pics -

Top_Breaker · 10-18-2012, 05:33 PM

Last 2 -

hrf · 10-18-2012, 06:23 PM

Given the surface condition, the nickel probably flaked off 130 years ago.

Is that traces of nickel visible in lower frame opening in your last pic?

Have you checked under the grips?

Lanrezac · 10-18-2012, 10:54 PM

No, I don't think they were all nickel plated, but it was much more common at that time than bluing. The nickeled guns were also less likely to be ruined by rust and thrown away over time, so more of them have survived, as well. Just my two cents.

hrf · 10-19-2012, 07:22 AM

90% of the little solid frame spur trigger revolvers were nickel plated, and there's even a book: "The American nickel-plated revolver, 1870-1890"

Looking through old advertisements, many don't even mention finish, but the 1876 James Bown catalog did:

10-18-2012, 05:32 PM	#1
Top_Breaker Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13	Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. Hello Gents! I'm guessing I posted my original thread in the wrong forum and haven't received any replies to help me. So I figured I try here. I have just acquired a nice little Hopkins & Allen Dictator spur hammer in .32 RF with original birds-head grips and it's finish settling into a warm brown patina with a brass front sight. Serial# 6105. This one also looks like it was never nickle plated. Where all Hopkins & Allen revolver's nickel plated? In doing research, 99% of what I see in the Hopkins & Allen pocket revolvers are nickle. But I can't find this exact version like the one pictured. Anymore factoids on this piece would be much appreciated! --> Last edited by Top_Breaker; 10-18-2012 at 06:05 PM..

10-18-2012, 05:33 PM	#2
Top_Breaker Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13	Re: Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. More pics -

10-18-2012, 05:33 PM	#3
Top_Breaker Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13	Re: Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. Last 2 -

10-18-2012, 06:23 PM	#4
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,283	Re: Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. Given the surface condition, the nickel probably flaked off 130 years ago. Is that traces of nickel visible in lower frame opening in your last pic? Have you checked under the grips?

10-18-2012, 10:54 PM	#5
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 687	Re: Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. No, I don't think they were all nickel plated, but it was much more common at that time than bluing. The nickeled guns were also less likely to be ruined by rust and thrown away over time, so more of them have survived, as well. Just my two cents.

10-19-2012, 07:22 AM	#6
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,283	Re: Hopkins & Allen .32RF Dictator revolver. 90% of the little solid frame spur trigger revolvers were nickel plated, and there's even a book: "The American nickel-plated revolver, 1870-1890" Looking through old advertisements, many don't even mention finish, but the 1876 James Bown catalog did: Attached Images