Fore Hand Arms Company Serial Numbers
Welcome to the forum. The F&W on grips is the logo of Forehand & Wadswoth, but the company name was changed to Forehand Arms Co. When Wadsworth died in 1890, so your gun was made between then and 1902 when the company was sold to Hopkins & Allen. I believe the first patent date you list should be Dec 7, '86 and your gun is probably same as this one: (I note the late Bill Goforth cited 1899 as date company was sold but other sources lists 1902) In 1901, they were listed @ $3.40 in the Sears catalog. It should not be fired with current smokeless powder ammo, and value in fair condition would be less than $100.
Ethan Allen (no relation to the Revolutionary War hero) founded an arms company in 1831 with Charles Thurber, producing a variety of arms, but best known for percussion pepperboxes. When Thurber retired, Allen partnered with Thomas Wheelock.
When Allen died in 1871, the company, by then Allen & Co., was taken over by Allen's sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth, and named Forehand and Wadsworth. When Wadsworth died in 1890.
The company became Forehand Arms Co.; it was acquired in and operated under that name until 1902, when it was acquired by Hopkins & Allen (a different Allen). H&A continued production of some of the Forehand revolvers under that name, but usually with the barrel marking 'Manufactured by Hopkins & Allen'. So any gun marked Forehand Arms Co. Was made between 1890 and 1907. H&A made Forehand breaktops in both.32 and.38 caliber.
- FOREHAND ARMS CO. Double Action Top Break Revolver for sale online. Serial Number: A5232 Caliber.32 S&W. FOREHAND ARMS CO.
- Jul 22, 2012 FOREHAND ARMS COMPANY. Forehand & Wadsworth Arms Co 1871 to 1890 and finally Forehand Arms Co. And there is a problem with the serial number. Forehand serial.
Can anyone help me identify my serial numbers? It's an F&W.32 S& W L. F&W age/serial number ID. In 1890 the names was changed to Forehand Arms Company.
They are of some collector interest, but usually only if in very good condition. Otherwise, they fall into the general class of breaktop revolvers of the period and command only a nominal price, $100 or so, less if in poor condition or non-functional. AFAIK, there is no Forehand or H&A serial number list or manufacturing date information. Good pictures of the gun and closeups of the markings may help provide a closer date or more information. The Firearms Forum is on online community for all gun enthusiasts.
Fore Hand Arms
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