Fore Hand Arms Company Serial Numbers

I'm in the process of cosmetically restoring a Forehand revolver that has seen three generations in my wife's family, including her. I'd like to be able to find out more history on this model, more so the production date. The revolver is going to go into a display case after I'm done with it.What I've been able to find out so far is that it was produced by the Forehand Arms Company of Worchester, Mass. The company was producing small arms from 1890 until 1902.

1. Forehand Arms Co Serial Numbers
2. Forehand Arms Company Serial Numbers

Forehand Arms Co Serial Numbers

Previously from 1871 until 1890, it was the Forehand & Wadsworth Company. This particular.38 S&W pistol has a patent dated Dec. 7 1886 & Jan. 11, 1887 stamped on the frame along with Forehand Arms Company. The serial number is 287202 which is stamped on the butt. You may note that the grips have F&W embossed on them which I imagine were grips produced before the breakup of the partnership but still used on then current production models. Just a guess, here.Any insight anyone knows here or a direction to find out more would be appreciated.

Want to spend a few books for a reference?Going back a ways, there is a lot of gun history behind your revolver. Ethan Allen (no relation to Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys) had been in the gun business, under his name, Allen & Thurber, and Allen & Wheelock (think pre-revolver pepperbox pistol days) Ehan had no sons- two daughters. When he died in 1871, his sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand and H.C. Wadsworth ran the company under their names until 1890 when Wadsworth died, name changed to Forehand.

Forehand died in 1898, and Hopkins & Allen bought the firm, ran it under the Forehand name until they went belly up in 1902.Odds are your gun was made 1890 and 1902, likely shortly after the name change. STRONG likelihood it is meant for BLACK POWDER.38s.

In 1890 the name was changed to Forehand Arms Company.They made several models of revolvers, both large and small frame and some shotguns. That is a serial number, not a model number. Forehand Arms Co. Single barrel 12 ga. Shotgun with external hammer & walnut stock. Lock plate signed Forehand Arms Co. / Worcester Mass / Patented Feb'y 4 1896. Barrel marked 'Fine Decarbonized Steel'. Serial number 93626. 26 5/8'L barrel. Retains over 80% of bluing with minor surface rust - bore is clean - walnut. Aug 10, 2011. However, Forehand & Wadsworth was a true-blue American enterprise presided over by Sullivan Forehand, a bookkeeper with a knack for numbers, and. By 1880, under Forehand's leadership, Forehand & Wadsworth was offering several single- and double-barreled shotguns in addition to its revolvers.

Forehand Arms Company Serial Numbers

I have a basically identical Hopkins & Allen 12 ga 'forehand' shotgun, except the serial numbers and overall condition of course. Your gun is absolutely beautiful!!! Mine is not so pretty as most of these firearms turn out to be. After all my research, i conclude that my gun was produced around 1902 and sold for about $5.00. What i'm finding is that most of the info i find tells me that these guns used black powder cartridges, and you can not use the modern smokeless powder cartridges. I also have come across several similar models of my gun up for sale, and the owners state they shoot fine using the modern cartridges. I also found this gun on the cover of American Rifleman Magazine, May 1976, accompanied by a box of shells in the more modern smokeless powder variety.

I'm interested in whatever you might know, as far as ammo, parts, schematics, interchangeable barrels of different calibers, etc. I'd really appreciate any info you might be able to provide.

Thanks, Josh. I have a basically identical Hopkins & Allen 12 ga 'forehand' shotgun, except the serial numbers and overall condition of course. Your gun is absolutely beautiful!!! Mine is not so pretty as most of these firearms turn out to be.

After all my research, i conclude that my gun was produced around 1902 and sold for about $5.00. What i'm finding is that most of the info i find tells me that these guns used black powder cartridges, and you can not use the modern smokeless powder cartridges. I also have come across several similar models of my gun up for sale, and the owners state they shoot fine using the modern cartridges. I also found this gun on the cover of American Rifleman Magazine, May 1976, accompanied by a box of shells in the more modern smokeless powder variety.

I'm interested in whatever you might know, as far as ammo, parts, schematics, interchangeable barrels of different calibers, etc. I'd really appreciate any info you might be able to provide. Thanks, Josh.The gun appears to be sound mechanically. If it has a fluid steel barrel, I would say go for it - have fun.

If it perchance has a Damascus or twist-steel barrel, then keep it as a wall hanger.Best regards, BIGBORE.