Hopkins & Allen Forehand Hammer Model 12 Gauge Single-Shot Shotgun, 30" Barrel (1902–1908)
Built between 1902 and 1908 during Hopkins & Allen’s transitional Forehand branding, this full-size, break-open 12 gauge shotgun features a 30-inch decarbonized fluid-steel barrel, an external hammer, and matching serial numbers on the barrel lug and trigger guard. A case-hardened steel receiver, straight-grip walnut stock, and removable hinge-pin system highlight its utilitarian early-20th-century design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor – Moderate scratching, scuffing, finish loss, and blemishing are present on metal and wood.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean with slight corrosion; some pitting noted.
Bore Fouling: Mild Fouling – Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Mechanically: Inoperable – Hammer does not hold cock.
Specific Condition Notes: The bore shows scattered pitting but remains largely clean. External metal surfaces display finish loss and case-hardening fade. Wood carries numerous handling marks consistent with field use.
What’s Included
- Hopkins & Allen Forehand Hammer Model 12 Gauge single-shot shotgun
This Forehand-series single shot represents the straightforward, hardware-store firearms that equipped rural America in the early 1900s. The 30-inch barrel is rolled from decarbonized fluid steel, a durable material choice for its era.
The receiver retains traces of its original case-hardened finish, giving a glimpse of the factory color pattern that once covered the steel frame. A brass front bead sits at the muzzle, while the lack of a rear sight keeps the sight picture uncluttered for quick snap shooting.
The shotgun opens via a removable hinge-pin system, a design that simplifies barrel removal for cleaning or transport. Matching serial numbers on both the barrel lug and trigger guard confirm that the major components have remained together since manufacture.
Furniture consists of a straight-grip, uncheckered walnut stock and splinter forend, capped by a hard-rubber buttplate bearing the H&A logo. Length of pull measures 14 inches, offering a traditional fit for period-correct shooting posture.