Single shot, 12ga
Unsure how old, possible as old as 1900.
Any idea if this is BP only or smokeless?
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
3If you think it's turn of the century and it isn't marked "smokeless", I wouldn't use anything but black powder. But FS knows more than me.
BTW, I love the grip of the stock and this old gun has grown a great color to her!
BTW, I love the grip of the stock and this old gun has grown a great color to her!
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
4H&AFukshot wrote:Is it a H&A or a Forehand and Wadsworth?
Forehand is in quotes after the company name.
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
5Look at the water table & under the barrel for proof marks. Take some pictures of what you find.
If it isn't a Damascus barrel, it probably was made for smokeless by that time. Also be sure to check how long the chambers are - they might be 2 1/2" for example. http://www.rstshells.com/ makes ammo specifically to be gentle on older shotties.
If it isn't a Damascus barrel, it probably was made for smokeless by that time. Also be sure to check how long the chambers are - they might be 2 1/2" for example. http://www.rstshells.com/ makes ammo specifically to be gentle on older shotties.
Live like you will never die, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
6wlewisiii wrote:Look at the water table & under the barrel for proof marks. Take some pictures of what you find.
If it isn't a Damascus barrel, it probably was made for smokeless by that time. Also be sure to check how long the chambers are - they might be 2 1/2" for example. http://www.rstshells.com/ makes ammo specifically to be gentle on older shotties.
Stoopid question, how can I tell if Damascus?
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
7https://sites.google.com/a/damascusknow ... m/www/home has lots of info on those beautiful but not very strong barrels.Inquisitor wrote:wlewisiii wrote:Look at the water table & under the barrel for proof marks. Take some pictures of what you find.
If it isn't a Damascus barrel, it probably was made for smokeless by that time. Also be sure to check how long the chambers are - they might be 2 1/2" for example. http://www.rstshells.com/ makes ammo specifically to be gentle on older shotties.
Stoopid question, how can I tell if Damascus?
Live like you will never die, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
8This barrel looks nothing like those.wlewisiii wrote:https://sites.google.com/a/damascusknow ... m/www/home has lots of info on those beautiful but not very strong barrels.Inquisitor wrote:wlewisiii wrote:Look at the water table & under the barrel for proof marks. Take some pictures of what you find.
If it isn't a Damascus barrel, it probably was made for smokeless by that time. Also be sure to check how long the chambers are - they might be 2 1/2" for example. http://www.rstshells.com/ makes ammo specifically to be gentle on older shotties.
Stoopid question, how can I tell if Damascus?
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
9Actually now not sure. Underneath the patina, it looks mottled...
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
10Inquisitor wrote:Actually now not sure. Underneath the patina, it looks mottled...
Think you can get a close up picture of what it looks like? It is pretty different from "fluid steel" (that's what Parker called their early non-damascus barrels) so if it looks like it, it's a good chance that it is. Got any good gunsmiths near you?
Be a good excuse to have FS teach you how to load holy black shotshells
Live like you will never die, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
11Sounds like until I am sure, that's my only option for shooting it.wlewisiii wrote:Inquisitor wrote:Actually now not sure. Underneath the patina, it looks mottled...
Think you can get a close up picture of what it looks like? It is pretty different from "fluid steel" (that's what Parker called their early non-damascus barrels) so if it looks like it, it's a good chance that it is. Got any good gunsmiths near you?
Be a good excuse to have FS teach you how to load holy black shotshells
Close ups are hard, neither the iPhone nor google glass seem to be suited for that close. The mottling is subtle, through the patina, but there. So it's so very unclear to me. Will look for a smith.
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
12I have one of those and if I remember it right Hopkins and Allen went out of business in 1903.
EDIT.
After about a minute of research I found out I was wrong. It was 1916 that they went bankrupt.
Also http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=9
EDIT.
After about a minute of research I found out I was wrong. It was 1916 that they went bankrupt.
Also http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=9
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
15From afar, I'm gonna say BP or light smokeless loads designed for old guns.
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
16I hadn't thought of cowboy loads...
IF I were to load shotshells, primer, gear suggestions?
IF I were to load shotshells, primer, gear suggestions?
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
17How much do you think you might load? Lee makes a cheap press but you'll not want to be loading flats with it. Good for a hunter who maybe shoots trap once or twice a year.Inquisitor wrote:I hadn't thought of cowboy loads...
IF I were to load shotshells, primer, gear suggestions?
Next step up is the MEC 600 Jr. which is 3x the price but much nicer. It's rated at 6 to 8 boxes an hour, good enough for a once a week trap shooter.
Both are at Midway USA. I don't know if either can do 2 1/2" if that's what your shotgun is chambered for.
Otherwise, generic 12 g. hulls & plastic wads, generic shotgun primers, #8 lead shot & Unique powder.
Nice slideshow on the topic here: http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_st ... shell.aspx
I need to get a 16 gauge press to really use my Ithaca.
Live like you will never die, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
18I have a 12 ga press along with goodies I can let go of for a fair price.Inquisitor wrote:I hadn't thought of cowboy loads...
IF I were to load shotshells, primer, gear suggestions?
*DISCLAIMER* This post may have been made from a barstool.
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
20Inquisitor wrote:In for a penny...
Rumour has it I will buy anything
Really? Hadn't noticed.
*DISCLAIMER* This post may have been made from a barstool.
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
21So, I never sorted out this shotgun, so I listed on Armslist, unless someone here is interested?
Re: Hopkins and Allen "Forehand"
22Just had a smith look at it, he thinks it is damascus but said light target loads with #6 or#7 shot would be fine.
That jive with the group?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
That jive with the group?
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