Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice nickel plated "XL No.4" .38 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.4" is a typical later 19th century style revolver with a "spur trigger" in .38 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 "Bird's Head" grip with beautiful factory ivory grips.

The serial number on this example is 587, found on the bottom of the barrel, the rear of the cylinder, the frame under the grips, and on the inside of both grip scales. 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 around the trigger area. It still has the original Hopkins & Allen patent and model designations nicely marked on top of the frame:

HOPKINS & ALLEN M'FG CO
XL. No. 4
PAT. MAR. 28. 1871. APR. 27. 1875

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, cylinder, and most of the frame. The areas which have had the plating wear away display a lovely lightly oxidized patina. The grip scales are in great shape, with no major chipping or cracks, and they have lovely grain in the ivory material. There is just a bit of discoloration and staining around the escutcheons for the securing screw.

The revolver cycles great, with good indexing and a firm cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior seen on many old revolvers. Really a nice tight action, and the arbor pin pulls out easily to remove the cylinder. The bore is in excellent condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a bright finish. There are just a few spots of past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away.

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

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: c.1880
Caliber: .38cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action 
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.