Hopkins & Allen XL No.8: A Failed Competitor to the Colt SAA

Published on April 27, 2020
Duration: 8:42

This review delves into the Hopkins & Allen XL No.8, a 19th-century revolver that aimed to compete with iconic models like the Colt Single Action Army. Despite its quality construction, it failed commercially due to brand perception issues. The video highlights its design influences, mechanical operation, and historical context, offering insights from an expert in historical firearms.

Quick Summary

The Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 was a 19th-century revolver designed to rival the Colt Single Action Army but ultimately failed commercially. Despite its quality, the brand's reputation for inexpensive firearms prevented consumers from accepting its premium offering. It came in Army, Navy, and Police models, with unique mechanical features like a pivoting ejector rod.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Company History: Hopkins & Allen Formation
  2. 01:25Market Positioning: The XL No.8 Introduction
  3. 02:15Design Influences: Merwin & Hulbert Connection
  4. 03:40Models and Calibers: Army, Navy, Police Variants
  5. 04:51Mechanical Operation: Ejector Rod System
  6. 06:35Commercial Failure: Reasons for Market Decline

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 designed to compete with?

The Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 was specifically designed as a high-end marshal's revolver intended to compete directly with established firearms like the Colt Single Action Army (SAA) and the Smith & Wesson Model 3 during the late 19th century.

Why did the Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 fail commercially?

Despite being a high-quality firearm, the XL No.8 failed commercially primarily because Hopkins & Allen was known for producing inexpensive 'Saturday Night Specials.' Customers were unwilling to pay a premium price for a revolver from a brand associated with lower-quality, budget firearms.

What were the different models and calibers of the XL No.8?

The XL No.8 was marketed in three versions: Army (.44 caliber), Navy (.38 caliber), and Police (.38 caliber). The Army model was available in .44 Henry Rimfire or .44-40 Winchester Centerfire, while the Navy and Police models were rimfire only.

What is unique about the XL No.8's ejector rod mechanism?

The Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 features a unique ejector rod system that requires the user to unlock it, pull it forward, and then pivot it to the side to align with the chambers for manual extraction of spent casings through the loading gate.

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