double barrell 12

Question
i have a hopkins and allen double barrell in mint condition numbers all match made n norwich ct . has long rabbit ears wondering how much its worth and what year its probally made

Answer
Rocky,

I don't know a ton about these shotguns, but I will tell you what I can.  Hopkins & Allen purchased a company called Forehand Arms and after buying them continued to make shotgun under the Forehand name.  That started in 1902.  After a few years they dropped the Forehand name but continued to make the gun under the Hopkins & Allen name.  They initially made 'boxlocks' and then starting in 1906-1909 introduced a 'sidelock' version.  You didn't say which type you have so you should check.  I believe the sidelocks were only made during the range of dates I mentioned.  They had both hammerless and outside hammer version.  Sounds like you have the latter.  The range of dates will be determined by whether it is a boxlock or sidelock.  With a sidelock, the range is only about 3 years.  With the boxlock, it could be as much as 7 years.

They were pretty high quality shotguns for the time, but they were only manufactured for a short time and as a result are considered to be somewhat rare.  Since I don't know what you mean by 'mint condition' and can't examine the gun, I can only give you a range of values.  The book value for this gun in 'good' to 'excellent' condition ranges from around $200 on the low end to probably around $325 on the high end.

Also, you should NOT shoot this gun.  These guns were not designed to shoot modern, higher pressure shells.  Shooting it would be potentially hazardous, particularly since most of these have damascus barrels.

Hope this helps you out...

Doug Little