H&A .38 information

[Raybud]

I'm looking for information about an H&A, five shot, .38 center fire. This piece is a break top, 3 1/4 in barrel, nickle plated and has no model or caliber markings on it. Barrel is round and stamped, "Forehand Arms. Co. Worchester, Mass. USA. Patented Dec. 7, 86 & Jany. 11 '87." Grips are black with H&A medallions at the top of each. From what I've found so far it appears this uses a .38 short S&W black powder round. Someone suggested it is a "Forehand model 1900," which I can find no information on. I did find a picture of a model 1901, which is nearly identical, the differences being: Design on the grips is different; the 1901 is hammerless and mine is not; mine has a cylinder release on the right side of the barrel and the 1901 does not. Besides the barrel stamp the only other information on it is the serial number. I don't have a photo at the moment, but if it will help I'll attach one later.

Appreciate the input.

 

[waidmann]

Reply X2

I am the someone referred to. I believe I said that the Forehand Co. successors of Forehand and Wadsworth were in business from 1890 to 1902.

The gun marking is the corporate identity, not the H&A (Hopkins & Allen) grips.

Good luck.

 

[Ron James]

The history's of Forehand and Wadsworth, Forehand Arms Co. and Hopkins and Allen are intertwined by blood and marriage. Very little research has been done on these companies ( one small book by the late Joe Vorisek is the only one I know of, and it is brief and only covers H&A ) Forehand Arms Co. ceased in 1902, gone but not forgotten. In 1900 Hopkins and Allen suffered a life which destroyed most of their gun making machines, To stay in the gun making field they purchased Forehand Arms Co. form the heirs. They produced , at first Forehand firearms with Forehand markings, then Forehand guns with Forehand and H&A markings and /or grips, then Forehand firearms with all H&A markings One of those mongrel firearms built was a break open with a "Pocket Hammer". So I would guess that is what you have, built around 1902/1903 and perhaps the model was built even later with all H&A markings. You apparently have a H&A firearm built on Forehand machinery, with Forehand markings and H&A grips. Since Hopkins and Allen went Bankrupt in 1915 and records and information are scarce, I'm afraid that is about all the information you are going to find. Sorry about that. Could be wrong, been wrong before. Now if you are not confused, then you have not been paying attention, BTW these pistols are under rated ( IMO) and do not bring in a lot of money, In like new condition maybe 200 dollars perhaps a little more. Also for information purposes, there is no 38 Short S&W cartridge, it is 38 Smith and Wesson cartridge, there is a 38 Short and Long Colt cartridge but not with S&W cartridges.

 

[Raybud]

Thanks. This one seems to be in good working order, merely missing the front sight. I feel compelled to order a box of .38 S&W's and try a few rounds. Old iron fascinates me and I always want to make them work. Wish me luck.