Hopkins & Allen .32 S&W Top Break information

[Budrow]

Morning, I have a Hopkins & Allen 5 rd Top Break .32 S&W that I really don't know much about. The finish is nickel and pretty nice overall. The barrel rifling is very good and the cylinders are in nice condition as well. The grips are either hard rubber or bakelite and also in good condition.
The top of the barrel is marked:
HOPKINS & ALLEN MFG. CO. above NORWICH CONN. U.S.A. PAT JAN 5, OCT 5, 86. Under the grips on the left of the frame it has the number 5626. Is that a serial number ? The cylinder and the extractor have the number 826.
I wonder if anyone can tell me an approximate date when it was made and, can I use .32 S&W smokeless cartridges or is it.32 S&W black powder cartridges only ?
I’ve posted some pics. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Budrow

 

[BigBlue 94]

That H&A Co. roll stamp tells me it was made after the factory fire in 1900. H&A ceased production in 1915.

I have an H&A 922 rifle, and knowledge about them is pretty scarce. The above is what I found when searching.

I wouldn't be afraid to shoot smokeless through it, but I would want to use low power loads. I own a 32-20 1873 Winchester from 1882 that I've shot smokeless through with no issue. But you want to use reduced loads.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The small frame .32s are not as robust as the larger 6-shot guns, have less frame and less cylinder wall. While I agree with BigBlue and wouldn't be afraid to use light smokeless loads, you can expect more rapid wear.

This is, of course, assuming that the gun is tight and properly timed. H&A guns sell for more today than their virtually identical H&R counterparts, but the quality is really about the same, as was pricing 100+ years ago. They're not S&W. I actually don't own any H&A guns, but do have & use Iver-Johnsons and H&R .32s and .38s. My 5 shot .32s are either originally made as smokeless guns, or I convert them with original smokeless uppers or custom parts (see thread I just posted). My 6-shot H&R still sports the black powder cylinder, but like I said, the "large frame" .32s have more meat to them.

 

[Budrow]

That H&A Co. roll stamp tells me it was made after the factory fire in 1900. H&A ceased production in 1915.

I have an H&A 922 rifle, and knowledge about them is pretty scarce. The above is what I found when searching.

I wouldn't be afraid to shoot smokeless through it, but I would want to use low power loads. I own a 32-20 1873 Winchester from 1882 that I've shot smokeless through with no issue. But you want to use reduced loads.

Thanks for the information, BigBlue 94, good to know it was made between 1900 and 1915. So, maybe ok for smokeless ? If I remember correctly, the individual I bought it from had it listed as being made in 1915. But, I adhere to "Caveat Emptor". I don't reload but, I did buy 50 rds. of smokeless .32 S&W (short) Muzzle Velocity 680 FPS by MAGTECH. Do you think it would it be to "hot" ? Again, thanks for your input.
Budrow

 

[Budrow]

The small frame .32s are not as robust as the larger 6-shot guns, have less frame and less cylinder wall. While I agree with BigBlue and wouldn't be afraid to use light smokeless loads, you can expect more rapid wear.

This is, of course, assuming that the gun is tight and properly timed. H&A guns sell for more today than their virtually identical H&R counterparts, but the quality is really about the same, as was pricing 100+ years ago. They're not S&W. I actually don't own any H&A guns, but do have & use Iver-Johnsons and H&R .32s and .38s. My 5 shot .32s are either originally made as smokeless guns, or I convert them with original smokeless uppers or custom parts (see thread I just posted). My 6-shot H&R still sports the black powder cylinder, but like I said, the "large frame" .32s have more meat to them.

Thanks MachVshooter. I think I've some of your threads/posts regarding the replacement of original smokeless upper and custom parts. Very nice work and very informative. Budrow

 

[BigBlue 94]

That doesnt sound too hot too me. How big of bullet?

 

[Budrow]

85 grain

 

[BigBlue 94]

That's definitely on the low end of the power spectrum. My 32NAA slings 60gr slugs at 1000+.

I'm no pro in loadings and ballistics though

 

[Budrow]

Yeah, me neither. The black powder loads from Buffalo Arms have 90gr bullets. But, I don't know the muzzle velocity.

 

[MachIVshooter]

That's definitely on the low end of the power spectrum. My 32NAA slings 60gr slugs at 1000+.

I'm no pro in loadings and ballistics though

It is, but .32 S&W is a very low pressure cartridge. 85-98 gr bullets at 650-700 FPS is a typical load. And I certainly wouldn't want to run anything stouter in a black powder cylinder. They are very thin walled, low carbon alloys with no heat treatment. The later smokeless models were still quite thin, but the stop notch relief is smaller, and they were heat treated, although still not super strong.

When I rework these for regular use with smokeless loads, if I can't readily find a smokeless upper, I go one better and make a brand new unfluted cylinder from 17-4 H900 stainless. That'll take smokeless pressure all day, every day.

 

[Budrow]

Hey now... that is very impressive machine work...