Inherited - The Firearms Forum

Bob James · 03-10-2009, 10:50 PM

-Now what do I do?
I inherited my grandfather's hand gun, a Hopkins & Allen X.L. Double Action, 5-shot revolver, 32 caliber.
I really have no idea what it's worth, BUT, I did get my permit, and have had it cleaned, magnafluxed, and test fired.
With any luck I'll be able to find an ammo supplier in the Rochester NY area, and be able to target shoot a little with it.
I'd be interested in knowing it's approximate value.
(Smile) I received two things from old Gramps... this well used pistol and his pristine Bible, both from the later 19th or early 20th century.
I'd be interested in any information.

shooter666 · 03-11-2009, 01:27 AM

hey can you post some photos please?
also here is a web site that you can check out
http://www.gunsinternational.com

Bob James · 03-11-2009, 10:55 AM

Hopkins & Allen X.L. Double Action
circa 1920 (?)

mrkirker · 03-11-2009, 12:21 PM

Welcome to the Forum Bob James!
What a wonderful firearm! Appears to be in good condition, too, AND it has a familial connection, to boot!

b.goforth · 03-12-2009, 12:24 AM

i am not an H&A expert but this XL double action looks like one of the later model manufactured after 1900 (1900 to 1917). the earlier one 1880s to 1899 used a different cylinder pin and retainer. this one is missing the cylinder pin retainer entirely but the single small pin hole on front of frame is the way the late models had the retainers attached. a picture of the top strap marking may or may not confirm my guesses. this revolver as all H&A revolvers should be treated as black powder only. do not fire modern ammo in them.
bill

Bob James · 03-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Thank you for the input. At least two local gun shops have told me the same thing, that this should be a black powder gun only.
The cylinder retainer pin is in place. It's difficult to see in the photos, but it is a small spring-loaded tab immediately under the pin at the body. Wear on the cylinder stops would give me pause to fire this weapon at all. The cylinder holes do not necessarily align accurately with the barrell of the gun. No need to shave the bullets as they enter the barrell. Thanks again for the input.

03-10-2009, 10:50 PM	#1
Bob James Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Upstate Western NY Posts: 3	Inherited -Now what do I do? I inherited my grandfather's hand gun, a Hopkins & Allen X.L. Double Action, 5-shot revolver, 32 caliber. I really have no idea what it's worth, BUT, I did get my permit, and have had it cleaned, magnafluxed, and test fired. With any luck I'll be able to find an ammo supplier in the Rochester NY area, and be able to target shoot a little with it. I'd be interested in knowing it's approximate value. (Smile) I received two things from old Gramps... this well used pistol and his pristine Bible, both from the later 19th or early 20th century. I'd be interested in any information. --> Last edited by Bob James; 03-10-2009 at 10:52 PM.. Reason: spelling

03-11-2009, 01:27 AM	#2
shooter666 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: bennington vt Posts: 2	Re: Inherited hey can you post some photos please? also here is a web site that you can check out http://www.gunsinternational.com

03-11-2009, 10:55 AM	#3
Bob James Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Upstate Western NY Posts: 3	Re: Inherited Hopkins & Allen X.L. Double Action circa 1920 (?) Attached Images

03-11-2009, 12:21 PM	#4
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Inherited Welcome to the Forum Bob James! What a wonderful firearm! Appears to be in good condition, too, AND it has a familial connection, to boot! __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

03-12-2009, 12:24 AM	#5
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Inherited i am not an H&A expert but this XL double action looks like one of the later model manufactured after 1900 (1900 to 1917). the earlier one 1880s to 1899 used a different cylinder pin and retainer. this one is missing the cylinder pin retainer entirely but the single small pin hole on front of frame is the way the late models had the retainers attached. a picture of the top strap marking may or may not confirm my guesses. this revolver as all H&A revolvers should be treated as black powder only. do not fire modern ammo in them. bill __________________ Author: Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 1871-1993 H&R Arms Company 1871-1986 (due spring 2010) available from www.gunshowbooks.com website; iverjohnsoncollector.x10hosting.com Last edited by b.goforth; 03-12-2009 at 12:27 AM..

03-21-2009, 03:25 PM	#6
Bob James Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Upstate Western NY Posts: 3	Re: Inherited Thank you for the input. At least two local gun shops have told me the same thing, that this should be a black powder gun only. The cylinder retainer pin is in place. It's difficult to see in the photos, but it is a small spring-loaded tab immediately under the pin at the body. Wear on the cylinder stops would give me pause to fire this weapon at all. The cylinder holes do not necessarily align accurately with the barrell of the gun. No need to shave the bullets as they enter the barrell. Thanks again for the input.