POTD: Junk to Jewels? The Hopkins & Allen Xl No. 8 Revolver
Sam.S 04.06.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have what was once a fairly elegant and ergonomic revolver in its day. This is the Hopkins & Allen Xl No. 8 Revolver. For a long time, Hopkins & Allen was known for being a parts manufacturer for other gun companies. One important company they made parts for was Merwin Hulbert. Hopkins & Allen did not just make parts for other companies. They also made their own firearms. The vast majority were very low-cost and rather junky revolvers. For whatever reason, in the late 1870s they decided to take on the likes of S&W and Colt and make a higher-quality revolver. The result was the Hopkins & Allen Xl No. 8 Revolver. The publics response was very lukewarm since no one wanted to spend Colt money on a “cheap” company.
“Manufacturer: Hopkins & Allen
Model: XL No. 8
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 44-40
Barrel: 3 3/4 inch round
Finish: nickel
Grip: hard rubber”
Lot 227: Hopkins & Allen Xl No. 8 Revolver 44-40 – Hopkins & Allen Xl No. 8 Single Action Revolver. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2022/227/hopkins-allen-xl-no-8-revolver-4440.
