Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice nickel plated "XL No.3" .32 Rimfire revolver, made by Hopkins & Allen Mfg. Co. of Norwich, Connecticut. This company had been founded in 1868 as a firearms manufacturer by Charles W. Allen, Charles A. Converse, Horace Briggs, Samuel S. Hopkins and Charles W. Hopkins. In 1874 Converse sold his interest in the company to brothers William and Milan Hulbert, giving the Hulberts 50% of the company's assets and capital. The company became the exclusive maker of Merwin Hulbert revolvers as a result of this and assembly of these revolvers was conducted in a separate area of the plant devoted to M&H revolvers. It is for this reason the company is primarily known in relation the Hulberts, but they produced their own models as well. The company fared well for a while, but after the Hulbert brothers went bankrupt in 1896, Hopkins & Allen followed in 1898.

The "XL No.3" is a typical later 19th century style revolver with a "spur trigger" in .32 rimfire, fitted with a 5 shot cylinder. Designed for personal protection, the design was similar to many others of the time, and modeled after the Smith & Wesson early rimfire revolvers. Hopkins & Allen had several other names they made these under, including the highly decorated "Blue Jacket No.2". This example is more utilitarian, like the "Ranger No. 2" in .32, without any of the engraving or similar appointments found on the upmarket examples. It is however still nickel plated, and very attractive. It has a lovely flat bottom grip with lovely factory hard rubber grips, which have great checkering on the sides, and a dog's head at the top of both.

The serial number on this example is 4734, found on the bottom of the barrel, the rear of the cylinder, and on the frame under the grips. That makes this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example with no parts swapped out over the years. Condition is very good, with most of the original nickel plating still present and bright except the cylinder, where it shows some wear. It still has the original Hopkins & Allen patent and model designations nicely marked on top of the frame:

HOPKINS & ALLEN M'FG CO
PAT. MAR.28.71. APR.27.75. MAY.27.79.

XL. № 4
32 CAL RIM FIRE

This is really a great looking revolver, which looks to have seen only light use during its life. The nickel plating is still in great shape on the barrel, and frame, with some missing on the cylinder, most likely related to propellant gasses. The grip scales are in great shape, with no major chipping or cracks, and the texture almost completely retained. They have turned a bit brown and color, as black hard rubber does over the years.

The revolver cycles well, however the cylinder lock is currently not working, most likely due to a missing spring, so it does not engage the cylinder at all. This prevents the cylinder from indexing properly. The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a partly bright finish. There is definitely some mottled oxidation and past fouling in the bore, so it definitely did see some use.

A very nice late 19th century rimfire revolver in great cosmetic shape. Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: c.1880
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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