Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:59 pm

looking for more info on a SxS double. Serial# 11120
Belonged to my grandfather and has now been passed to me.

Post subject: Re: Forehand Arms Co

FOREHAND ARMS COMPANY. Last name in a long line of names starting with E. (Ethan) Allen in 1836, next Allen & Thurber from 1837 to 1854, Allen & Thurber & Co 1854 to 1856, Allen & Wheelock from 1856 to 1865, E. Allen & Co 1865 to 1871, Forehand & Wadsworth Arms Co 1871 to 1890 and finally Forehand Arms Co 1890 to 1902. It is difficult to give you any accurate information on your gun for a couple of reasons. You don't say if the gun is a outside hammer type or a hammerless, Forehand made both. And there is a problem with the serial number. Forehand serial numbers for their NEW MODEL HAMMER DOUBLE run from serial number 001 in 1892 to 11,001+ in 1902. The serial numbers for their NEW MODEL HAMMERLESS DOUBLE run from serial number 001in 1890 to 3,301+ in 1902. much too low to include your gun. So your gun must be a hammer type made during the end of production in 1902. As such and given the time frame when it was made, the gun was designed and made for the ammunition is use then which was 2 1/2 inch shot shells loaded with black powder and lead shot. The gun may well have damascus barrels. The gun was not designed for more modern and longer shells, 2 9/16 or 2 3/4 shells and certainly not 3 inch or magnum shells loaded with high pressure smokeless powder and steel shot. I must recommend that you do not attempt to shoot the gun. Value? Value will depend on the guns condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. A prime condition example (rare) that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon might bring as much as $150 at auction while a rusty metal, rotten or broken wood and missing parts piece of junk fit only for parts salvage or as a tent post might bring $15.