hopkins and allen

Question
I purchased a hopkins and allen double barrel 12ga and was wondering the age of the gun and cant find anything the serial number is 15766 its hammer less and does not have automatic ejectors any info would be great thank you

Answer
Hello Joshua.
  Hopkins & Allen is one of those companies that produced utility-grade shotguns during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Record keeping was not of great importance to them. The pre-1896 side by side shotguns were stamped "HOPKINS & ALLEN MANUFG. CO. NORWICH CONN" and were Damascus or twist steel barrels. From 1902-05, they used the "FOREHAND" name, as well as others, on them. In 1906, they stopped using the 'Forehand' name. They stopped manufacturing in 1914.
  I hope this helps. Charles Gage