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SN 6954
The years following the American Civil War saw the rise of hostof companies that produced small, inexpensive metallic cartridgehandguns. Product lines ran from copies of firearms by establishedmanufacturers including Smith & Wesson, to derringers andpepperbox pistols, small spur-trigger and folding-trigger pocketrevolvers and 'Velo Dog' pistols.
Some companies manufactured arms under a variety of differentnames. Corporate names still familiar today saw their beginningsduring this period, including Harrington & Richardson and IverJohnson. Other companies, such as Forehand & Wadsworth, Hopkinsand Allen, Merwin Hulbert & Co., prospered for a time beforeeventually closing, but most firms appeared on the scene for abrief period before vanishing into obscurity. Such names as'Bang-up,' 'Little Giant,' 'Swamp Angel,' and 'Tramp's Terror' weresome of the many names under which these pistols were marketed bylong-forgotten firms. In addition to American-produced examples,European arms also found a niche in the marketplace.
Characteristics of these pistols vary widely. Some weresingle-shot, while others possessed six- or seven-shot capacity,and at least one revolver utilized two cylinders which yielded atotal of 14 shots. Most were small caliber single-action arms whichutilized either .22 or .32 rimfire cartridges, althoughdouble-action revolvers chambered for .38 centerfire ammunitionwere also produced. Derringers were typically available in .41 or.44 caliber. An assortment of features could be found, includingbrass- or steel-framed models; various butt profiles; round- oroctagonal-barrels; fluted or smooth cylinders; bead, post, orhalf-disc front sights; top-strap or open-frame; removable sideplates; pivoting top- or side-break mechanisms, some with automaticejection systems, were available in this class of sidearms.
Although higher-quality pocket pistols were produced by severaldifferent manufacturers, many guns of this type were inexpensive,low-quality, mass-produced arms. From a collector's standpoint,these guns have not generated a great amount of interest, perhapsbecause they have little historical significance. Some, however,exhibit features often seen on more expensive arms, including ivoryor deluxe walnut grips, nickel or gold plating, and elaborateengraving, and are worthy of a place beside fine firearms by Colt,Remington, or Smith & Wesson in the collector's case.
Firearms Manufacturer | |
Industry | Firearms |
---|---|
Founded | 1871 |
Headquarters | Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |
Key people | Sullivan Forehand, Henry C. Wadsworth |
Products | Revolvers |
Forehand & Wadsworth (also known as Forehand Arms) was a US firearms manufacturing company based in Worcester, Massachusetts that was formed in 1871 by Sullivan Forehand and Henry C. Wadsworth after the death of their father-in-law, Ethan Allen of Ethan Allen & Company.[1]
History[edit]
In 1871 Sullivan Forehand and Henry C. Wadsworth founded Forehand & Wadsworth from the remnants of Ethan Allen & Company after the death of their father-in-law, Ethan Allen.[1] Wadsworth sold his share of the company to Forehand in 1890 in order to retire and the company was rebranded as Forehand Arms.[2]
The company was involved with a patent infringement lawsuit on behalf of one of their employees, John C. Howe, against the United States government. Howe had patented an ammunition cartridge in 1864, and the US government infringed upon this design in 1868 with the 'Cup Anvil Cartridge' until the expiration of Howe's patent in 1881.[3] Howe asked Forehand to bring a lawsuit against the government, and eight years later the company won the suit on behalf of Howe with a judgement of $66,000. The lawsuit was not paid until after Howe's death and a few weeks before the death of Forehand in 1898.[1]
Forehand's sons ran the business for several years following the death of their father, but sold it in 1902 to Hopkins & Allen, who had been making Forehand Arms' revolvers under contract.[4]
Manufacturing[edit]
Forehand & Wadsworth manufactured a variety of blackpowder and cartridge revolvers including several versions of the British Bull Dog revolver.[5][6]
In popular culture[edit]
A Forehand & Wadsworth British Bulldog was used in the 1993 movie, Tombstone, by Joanna Pacula while portraying Big Nosed Kate.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ abc'Sullivan Forehand'. Collections of the Worcester Society of Antiquity. The Society. 1899. pp. 322–328.
- ^Hogg, Ian V.; Walter, John (2004). Pistols of the World. David & Charles. p. 128. ISBN0-87349-460-1.
- ^Congress, United States. (1895). 'Legal Representatives of John C. Howe'. Congressional edition 1895. U.S. G.P.O. pp. 3–16.
- ^Brophy, William S. (1989). Marlin Firearms: a history of the guns and the company that made them. Stackpole Books. p. 51. ISBN9780811708777.
- ^Shideler, Dan (14 July 2010). Gun Digest 2011. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 82–83. ISBN1-4402-1561-8.
- ^Flayderman, Norm (2007). 'Forehand and Wadsworth Revolvers'. Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. p. 479. ISBN978-1-4402-2422-5.
- ^Shideler, Dan (2011). Gun Digest Book of Revolvers. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 68. ISBN1-4402-3157-5.
External links[edit]
Answer ForehandArms
Firearms are treated somewhat like used cars when attempting todetermine value. Condition, the manufacture, and model are usuallythe most important guidelines used in determining the value of anymodern fiream. The Forehand Arms Co. ( origanally as Forehand andWadsworth) was in busness from the early 1870's until acquired byHopkins & Allen sometime after the middle 1890's. Theymanufactured only (I believe ) low cost trade guns. There isprobably no longer any serial number histroy available to determineexact age. Your firearm was made sometime after 1892 when the namewas changed. In order to determine value the condition of thefirearm has to be known. My guess, though, is that unless it is invery good condition the value is such that it would best be used asa decoration in the den.When was forehand .32 cal. serial number 105224 made?
Forehand and Wadsworth (Forehand Arms) was in business from 1871 to 1902. Unfortunately, there are no serial number records for this company that has been closed for 116 years. Read More
What is the value of a Forehand Arms 12 gauge shotgun serial number 34589?
Value is based on exact make, model and condition. You gave us the make only. Read More
Pricing forehand 12ga dbl shotgun Hopkins an Allen arms co?
i have a single barreal shot gun with the serial number s 3641 can you tell me what year this is and what it's worth Read More
How old is a forehand Hopkins and Allen arms co 12 model 147576?
Sorry, that is a serial number, not a model number. Forehand & Wadsworth was acquired by Hopkins & Allen in 1902. Due to a number of problems, the H&A company closed for good in 1917. Your shotgun is likely from the time between those two dates. Read More
What is the value of a Forehand Arms Co of Worcester Mass Patented Feb 4 1896 twelve gauge single barrel shotgun serial number 89711?
Forehand Arms Company Serial Numbers List
I bought the same shotgun, serial number in the 91000s, for 50 dollars. Ones in good condition can go for 80 dollars. Unless, it is in perfect condition, 80 dollars is the max value. Read More
What is the age of a Hopkins and Allen Arms Co 12 gauge Forehand model single shotgun serial 221277?
Hopkins and Allen took over the Forehand name in 1903 and continued until 1915. Read More
What year is a Parker shotgun serial number 126212?
What year is a Parker Shotgun Serial number 126212 Read More
What is the age of a Forehand revolver SN 233986?
Forehand Arms was the successor company to Forehand & Wadsworth. They were in operation from 1890 to 1902. Not aware of any serial number database for them. Sorry. Read More
What is the serial number to browning 1989pump shotgun?
The serial number to a browning shotgun made in the year 1989 will have the letters PN found some where in the serial number. Read More
Where is serial number on older Ithaca side by side shotgun?
Its located under the forehand grip. Usually on the right side of the water table (the frame under the barrels), on the barrel flats, and on the forearm iron. Read More
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Browning shotgun serial number 35354 price value?
price value of browning shotgun serial number 35354 Read More
What is the value of a browning shotgun serial number 35354?
wondering price value of browning shotgun serial number 35354 Read More
What year is an Ithaca shotgun with serial number 348225?
Your serial number indicates that your Ithaca shotgun was made in the year 1920. Read More
Where is the serial number on a jc Higgins model 20 12 gauge shotgun 583.59?
There is no serial number on your shotgun. Serial numbers were not required befroe 1968. Read More
What is the value of browning shotgun serial 436545?
Impossible to value with just the serial number and 'shotgun'. Read More
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Where is the Serial No on a JC Higgins Model 20 Shotgun?
JC Higgins Model 20 Shotgun does not have a serial number. Guns were not required to have a serial number before 1938 Read More
Where can you find information about a Hopkins and Allen Forehand model shotgun serial number 745329?
Forehand Arms Co was absorbed by Hopkins & Allen c.1902, and for a couple of years H&A produced shotguns with the Forehand name. By the start of WW1 H&A was attempting to fill military contracts with the Belgian government which drove them into bankruptcy, with Marlin absorbing the remnants in 1921. Value is going to be uniformly low, under $100. Read More
How old is baker shotgun serial?
I have a baker shotgun serial number is 6045. Can anyone tell me the age Read More
What cal is a forehand arms serial 99640 handgun?
Virtually impossible to tell the calibre of any weapon by just the serial number Read More
How much is a foaehand arms co double barrel shotgun serial 1782?
Spelled Forehand Arms- and depends on the model and condition. You need a hands on appraisal. Read More
What is the manufacture date of a browning cynergy shotgun serial number 20262MW132?
The 2 letters in your serial number dates your shotgun to the year 2004. Read More
What year was a browning sweetsixteen shotgun serial number S46995 made?
Your serial number indicates that your Browning shotgun was made in the year 1955. Read More
How old is a 12 gauge pump shotgun serial?
In order to answer your question,you must include the Make of the shotgun,the model number,and serial number. Read More
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What year is your browning sweet 16 shotgun with serial number s45375?
Your serial number indicates that your shotgun was made in the year 1955. Read More
What is the manufacture date of your Browning shotgun serial?
No way of knowing without you providing the model number/name of the shotgun and the serial number that goes with it. Read More
What does serial number 4153 indicate on a Belgium shotgun?
could be the serial number or an assembly number. Read More
How do you read the serial number on a Hopkins and Allen arms co forehand model?
How can you look up a shotgun serial number?
If you have a common shotgun made before 1968, there probably is no serial number to look up. If the serial number is not on the receiver some where; i.e., water table, side, bottom, somewhere; then it doesn't have one & that is as far as you can take the serial number of a shotgun made before 1968. Read More
What year was a shotgun with the serial number b 39904 made?
You will need to include the model number of your Winchester shotgun,along with the serial number to get a accurate year of production. Read More
When was the serial number 6951 Winchester double barrel shotgun made?
Please include the model number of your Winchester shotgun to get a correct answer to your question along with the serial number. Read More
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Please provide the model of the shotgun, gauge, and the correct serial number. [email protected] Read More
Browning shotgun with serial number 58346MP Can you tell you kind of shotgun and how old it is?
The serial number seems to be incomplet as to which model it is. MP stands for 2008 Read More
What is year of manufacture of a Browning Shotgun A-5 with serial number 01553NP111?
What is year of manufacture of a Browning Shotgun A-5 with serial number 01553NP111? Read More
What year was browning shotgun with serial number 6755 made?
I would need to know the model and type of shotgun along with the serial number to give you a answer. Read More
What is the age of a Winchester model 1897 shotgun serial number E534336?
your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made in 1914 with the serial number that you provided. Read More Pulival kalyanam songs free download.
What is the manufacture date of a browning shotgun serial number 42824MW?
The MW in your serial number indicates that the browning shotgun in question was made in the year 2004. Read More
What is the year of manufacture for a Browning Shotgun with serial number 90853?
I cannot answer your question unless you include the model of shotgun along with the serial number to this question. Read More
When was browning a5 shotgun with serial number 70s99167 made?
Your Browning auto-5 shotgun with the prefix of 70s to the serial number identifies that your shotgun was made in Belgium for Browning in the year 1970. Read More
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What year was serial number 659690 Winchester 12 Shotgun made?
Your Winchester model 12 shotgun was made in the year 1934,with the serial number that you have provided. Read More
How old is a browning A5 16ga shotgun with a serial number of 120321?
Your serial number indicates that your Browning 16ga.auto-5 shotgun was made in the year 1939. Read More
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Your serial number indicates that your Winchester model 1897 shotgun was made in the year 1913. Read More
When was your Winchester Model 12 shotgun made serial number 1590453?
With the serial number that you have provided,your Winchester model 12 shotgun was made in the year 1956. Read More
What is the manufacture date of a brownig shotgun serial number 41197mw?
The letters MW that follow the serial number indicate that your Browning shotgun was made in the year 2004. Read More
What is the age of your Browning 12 ga shotgun by serial number?
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I would need the type of browning shotgun you are asking about,and a serial number which you did not provide. Read More