American Firearms

The XL Army .44 cf & rf, the XL Navy in .38 RF, and the XL Police Model .38RF are considered the finest quality models that Hopkins & Allen manufactured. Yet, all three were manufactured in incredibly small numbers, guesstimated at a few hundred ! This XL Navy, Serial No. 11X is 100% correct. It has the six inch barrel, six shot, in .38 rim fire, finished in blue. This was unusual as mort were finished in nickel plating. Currently it has about 90%+ of the original blue, only now beginning to turn a plum color. ALL factory applied markings are present, all parts are original, and it is 100% mechanically correct in all phases. It was made from the mid 1870’s to the very early 1880’s, probably in a quantity of LESS than 150, as all three models accounted for only about 400. It even has its original two loop holster which fits perfectly. Although never purchased by the Government, they sometimes are referred to as secondary martial’s.

Hopkins & Allen was a major entity in the manufacture of firearms in the 19th century. They specialized in smaller frame revolvers, however did produce in limited quantity large frame frontier revolvers, under the XL line. Remember, they were the manufacturing arm of the Merwin, Hulbert & Co. revolvers, known for high quality and precise engineering. In the early 1880’s they introduced a line of Double Action revolvers, under the XL line. Previous to that the names Ranger and Blue Jacket were synonymous with H&A. Let there be no question, H&A made superior quality revolvers, from large to small. This example is a .38 caliber, Double Action revolver, Serial No. 10X, an XL BULLDOG. It has the three inch barrel, and is finished in factory nickel plating. Speaking of finish, it has 99.999% of the original factory nickel, and all the case color on the UNIQUE folding spur hammer. The working action on BOTH single and double action function 100% correctly, NO issues! The checkered hard rubber grips are also in 99.999% original condition. If all of this isn’t enough, it comes in it’s ORIGINAL factory carton. The carton does show wear, but most important ALL the graphics remain clear and distinct. The end label also matches the revolver, finish and features. This production would date to about 1884, and it has been well cared for !
Do not think this H&A type didn’t see service on the wilder frontiers, many existing photo’s show bad hombres carrying the large frame frontier revolvers, with one of these tucked away in a waist band ! A fine addition for any collector of 19th century arms.