Nice Engraved Hopkins & Allen 16 Ga. CYL/CYL 24″ Hammerless SxS Shotgun C&R

SOLD FOR: $1358

LSB#: 220220WW033

Make: Hopkins & Allen

Model: Custom Side by Side Shotgun

Serial#: 3312

Year of Manufacture: The action was originally manufactured between 1907-1915 and the shotgun was upgraded in 1936, C&R

Gauge: 16 Gauge

Action Type: Hammerless Dual-Trigger Side by Side Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The left side plate is marked “Hopkins & Allen / Arms Company / NORWICH CONN USA”. The metal parts of the shotgun all feature decorative engravings including a woman on the butt-plate, a farm scene on the bottom of the receiver, the initials “RPH” on the trigger guard and scroll engraving on the sides of the receiver and adjacent side plates. The water table, barrel flats and forend iron are all serial matched. The top tang of the butt-plate is marked with the date code “1936”.

Barrel Length: 24”

Choke: The Cylinder bores are both fixed.

Weight: 6 Pounds, 3.3 Ounces

Sights/ Optics: The rib is serrated to reduce glare. There is a ramp at the muzzle end of the rib with a dovetail slot that has been filled with a small white plastic item.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two piece wood featuring a checkered beavertail forend, a checkered straight wrist, a straight comb with a cheek-piece on the left side and a metal butt-plate. The stocks have some light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is a crack at the bottom of the forend which originates at the rear end and extends past the fan shaped brass decoration while another light crack originates near where the aforementioned one ended. Also, there are two small crack which originates behind the lock-plate on the right side of the forend and there is a scuff on the left side of the toe. The LOP is approximately 14.75” and 14” from the triggers to the rear end of the butt-plate. The butt-plate has some light handling marks and is coated in light surface oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Case Colored, Brass and Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bores are both semi-bright with scattered erosion and the right barrel has some pitting near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 10% of its metal finish. The brass parts still retain a good deal of their finish although they are lightly tarnished from oxidation. The rest of the shotgun is coated in light surface oxidation and the parts have taken a light patina color. There are some light handling marks, nick and scuffs. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are engraved, they have some light tool marks and remain serviceable. Overall, the shotgun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock with no play on the receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a customized Hopkins & Allen manufactured 16 gauge side by side (SxS) shotgun. Hopkins and Allen never prioritized the manufacture of shotguns and only began to manufacture them in 1884. The company rolled out its first side by side shotguns in 1899, but its side by side shotgun lineup would expand exponentially in 1902 when Hopkins and Allen acquired Forehand Arms Co. The company’s shotguns were solid utilitarian options and proved popular items on the market. Unfortunately, the shotguns manufactured by Hopkins & Allen failed to meet any niche in the market and could not displace the more popular brands. When WWI broke out Hopkins and Allen was awarded a contract to build Mauser rifles for Belgium, but Belgium’s premature defeat within months of the conflict breaking out doomed the venture. The company never recovered from the Belgian contract and began to falter before ultimately closing its doors in 1916. Marlin-Rockwell purchased its machinery, inventory and designs the following year.

This is a unique specimen, it has a date code on the butt-plate which indicates it was refurbished in 1936 (nearly twenty years after Hopkins & Allen went under). It appears that a wealthy owner of an older Hopkins & Allen side by side shotgun decided to have their gun custom engraved. The engravings on the gun are impressive and unique to this gun, it is beautifully done (please see photos for details). Mechanically the gun appears to be fully operational, but considering its age we recommend having it inspected by a gunsmith to assess if it is safe to fire. This is a truly unique Hopkins & Allen shotgun that you will not want to pass up on. Good luck on your bid!

Nice Engraved Hopkins & Allen 16 Ga. CYL/CYL 24" Hammerless SxS Shotgun C&R
Nice Engraved Hopkins & Allen 16 Ga. CYL/CYL 24″ Hammerless SxS Shotgun C&R