Hopkins & Allen Arms Company shotgun

butlerj

May 18, 2012 02:31

My grandfather has me cleaning several of his old firearms and would like to know whether not not he can fire one of them with modern ammo. It is a Hopkins & Allen Arms Company double barrel 12ga. He hasn't fired it in anywhere between 20 to 70 years.

I would like to learn any information about this shotgun that I can. Mostly if we can use modern shells or if we need to have some specailty ones made.

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  perry shooter

  May 18, 2012 02:57

  We can't see by the picture what condition your shot gun is in . I think I see a crack in the grip area of the butt stock. With this being a side-lock hammer gun the wood in that area is very weak along with most likely damascus barrels. I would not shoot before taking to a gunsmith to look at over all condition.m

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  hrf

  May 18, 2012 05:25

  Hopkins & Allen ended business in 1915 and probably ceased manufacture of outside hammer models before that, so your gun is at or near 100 years old. It will have shorter chambers than today's guns and at a minimum use of current smokeless powder shells will rapidly loosen the lockup, and it deserves retirement as a decorator.

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  gearheaddad

  May 18, 2012 05:51

  http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=560795

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  Ned Fall

  May 18, 2012 08:44

  I have Hopkins & Allen serial number-year made table and may be able to tell you what year the gun was made if you will give me the serial number found on the gun and a good description of the gun (double barrel, single barrel, hammer type or hammerless) and any and any and all markings found on the gun.

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