Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? - The Firearms Forum

Rip Tombstone · 03-30-2009, 12:49 PM

Howdy all.

I am trying to find out some info about Hopkins and Allen XL8 revolvers. I am looking at one locally, and would like to know some more details.

Are the XL8s a bigger frame than most pocket models?

I have found that they are chambered in .44, is a .32 a possibility?

Was an ejector rod a factory option?

Thanks a bunch!
RT

b.goforth · 03-30-2009, 01:16 PM

the H&A XL No.8 is generally considered to be a large frame single action revolver chambered for 38 or 44 caliber cartridges, how ever not enough research has been done to say no 32's were ever made. pictures are going to be need to determine for sure what this revolver is as their are at least two other XL series of H&A revolvers, a double action series and a single action spur trigger series.
bill

hrf · 03-30-2009, 02:59 PM

If the gun you looked at is a .32, it's likely an XL-3, a much smaller revolver: The 3's are stamped so deeply and the curve end's so nearly closed, that they are often misread as XL-8's.

The large XL-8 sixshooter was made only in .44-40 and .44 rimfire calibers.

Rip Tombstone · 03-30-2009, 07:29 PM

Well, thats what I thought too, that the 8s were 44.
Isnt the XL3 a spur trigger job?
This one looks like an XL-5 via different auctions.

I can see that the 3, 5, and 8 could all be mistaken for another tho.

Rip

b.goforth · 03-31-2009, 02:16 PM

this is an early version of the XL double action series (made before the fire of 1899). it has two of the unique (to H&A only) options available the folding hammer and the cartridge ejector. charles carder's book Hopkins & Allen Revolvers & Pistols shows a picture of an XL No.5 (38 caliber) just like it. for my two cents i would say this is a H&A XL 3 Double Action (32 caliber).

if you could show pictures of the top strap markings maybe a different set of eyes would help determine exactly what it is. but what ever the two options are goinf to add value. just how much i am not prepared to say for now.

what it is not is one of the XL 8 large frame single action revolver aka as the army, navy or police models. yes there was a single action spur trigger XL series also.

bill

Rip Tombstone · 03-31-2009, 04:43 PM

Ok. Makes perfect sense to me? There were several different models of XL revolvers, all with the same numbers? XL3 spur trigger, and an XL3 d.a.?

Think its worth 200?
Thanks! Rip

03-30-2009, 12:49 PM	#1
Rip Tombstone Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4	Hopkins and Allen XL 3 info? Howdy all. I am trying to find out some info about Hopkins and Allen XL8 revolvers. I am looking at one locally, and would like to know some more details. Are the XL8s a bigger frame than most pocket models? I have found that they are chambered in .44, is a .32 a possibility? Was an ejector rod a factory option? Thanks a bunch! RT --> Last edited by Rip Tombstone; 04-01-2009 at 12:27 PM.. Reason: changed title to XL3 instead of 8

03-30-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? the H&A XL No.8 is generally considered to be a large frame single action revolver chambered for 38 or 44 caliber cartridges, how ever not enough research has been done to say no 32's were ever made. pictures are going to be need to determine for sure what this revolver is as their are at least two other XL series of H&A revolvers, a double action series and a single action spur trigger series. 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

03-30-2009, 02:59 PM	#3
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,278	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? If the gun you looked at is a .32, it's likely an XL-3, a much smaller revolver: The 3's are stamped so deeply and the curve end's so nearly closed, that they are often misread as XL-8's. The large XL-8 sixshooter was made only in .44-40 and .44 rimfire calibers. Last edited by hrf; 03-30-2009 at 03:02 PM..

03-30-2009, 07:29 PM	#4
Rip Tombstone Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? Well, thats what I thought too, that the 8s were 44. Isnt the XL3 a spur trigger job? This one looks like an XL-5 via different auctions. I can see that the 3, 5, and 8 could all be mistaken for another tho. Rip Last edited by Rip Tombstone; 03-30-2009 at 07:39 PM.. Reason: adding photos

03-31-2009, 02:16 PM	#5
b.goforth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 3,174	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? this is an early version of the XL double action series (made before the fire of 1899). it has two of the unique (to H&A only) options available the folding hammer and the cartridge ejector. charles carder's book Hopkins & Allen Revolvers & Pistols shows a picture of an XL No.5 (38 caliber) just like it. for my two cents i would say this is a H&A XL 3 Double Action (32 caliber). if you could show pictures of the top strap markings maybe a different set of eyes would help determine exactly what it is. but what ever the two options are goinf to add value. just how much i am not prepared to say for now. what it is not is one of the XL 8 large frame single action revolver aka as the army, navy or police models. yes there was a single action spur trigger XL series also. 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; 03-31-2009 at 02:26 PM..

03-31-2009, 04:43 PM	#6
Rip Tombstone Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4	Re: Hopkins and Allen XL 8 info? Ok. Makes perfect sense to me? There were several different models of XL revolvers, all with the same numbers? XL3 spur trigger, and an XL3 d.a.? Think its worth 200? Thanks! Rip