Old rifle - single shot

[Ryanxia]

EDIT: Sorry, meant to post this in Firearms Research.

Hello, I have a Hopkins & Allen (Norwich, CT) rifle that I'd like some more information on. I have looked up the company in the 2011 standard catalog of firearms but could not find anything on this particular rifle. (I also checked Bacon Arms that made some of H&A's products for a time)

Another curious thing is that although the owner of this rifle fired .22LR/.22Short out of it there is no indication of caliber on the barrel.

Aside from the name the only markings are "NO 722".
Any info and maybe some value would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SDC]

This is a Hopkins & Allen No 722 rolling-block rifle (sometimes called their "Junior" model), made sometime between 1900 and 1915. It most likely won't have a serial number, because they weren't required back then.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks, and no it doesn't have a serial #, aside from what I've mentioned there are no other markings. If anyone knows a value that would be great.

 

[Ryanxia]

I noticed when doing some searches that others with this brand of rifle were recommended not to use modern smokeless powder rounds in these, can anyone speak to that statement? I can't imagine that would be an issue but just want to be cautious.

 

[arcticap]

If anyone knows a value that would be great.

They're not worth a whole lot unless they've greatly increased in value over the last several years which I doubt. They're value has been about $150 - $250 depending on the condition.

modern smokeless powder rounds in these

It seems to have been made during the modern smokeless era which would indicate that some type of modern rimfire ammo can be safely fired through it. It's listed as being ".22 rimfire" which may be an indication that it's chambered for .22 long which was loaded with a lighter 29 grain bullet.
But this is pure speculation.

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks articap

 

[smurfman]

It may also be that it is not recommended to use modern "High Veloccity" 22 LR ammo in the gun as that had not been developed at the time of the gun's manufacture. The use of "standard velocity" ammo (roughly 1050 fps) would probably be within its design parameters if it were chambered for the 22 LR. I'd say the newer round utilizes a higher pressure than the old which would place undue stress on the gun. It would probably not catastrophically expolde but it would result in increased wear and tear on the gun which would likey lead to parts failure and breakage. This might be hard to repair in such a firearm.