Ethan Allen

Cartridge Pistols Overview

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The Single Shot Side-Swing Pistol

The production of the Side-Swing pistols started around 1861 and continued well into the E.Allen & Co period. Ethan Allen has patented a case ejector for this type of Side-Swing under patent US46617. The patent date corresonds to the early days of E.Allen & Co era, while the mechanism described in the patent had been in production for years. The patent date is therefore not mentioned in the marking: ALLEN & WHEELLOCK/WORCESTER, MASS. On the later models after 1865 we find E.ALLEN & CO WORCESTER MASS./ALLEN’S PAT MCH.7.1865

The pistols were only made in .22 and .32 caliber, each with a number of different variants:

  • Case ejector: The .22 models from the Allen & Wheelock period do not have a case ejector which was only introduced in the E.Allen period. Concerning the .32 models, only the very first models before October 1861 do not have a case ejector (rare).
Allen & Wheelock .32rf Single Shot - 4" full octagonal barrel - Short lip
  • The barrel: Both .22 and .32 models are made with full octagonal barrels and with half-octagonal/half-round barrels. The barrels have lengths varying between 2″ and 5.5″ for the .22 models and between 3″ and 6″ for the .32 models.
  • Barrel overlap (lip): Only the .32 models have 3 frame variations: 1) without barrel overlap; 2) with short barrel overlap; 3) with long barrel overlap. The barrel overlap undoubtedly gives a more robust pistol, but it is not known which of the models was manufactured first.
  • Frame: The early models have a round frame while the later models have a more flattened frame
  • Grip: The early models have a more rounded grip while the later models have the Smith & Wesson style grip.
Allen & Wheelock .32rf Single Shot - 4" full octagonal barrel - Long lip
Allen & Wheelock .22rf Single Shot - 3,5" full octagonal barrel
Allen & Wheelock .32rf Single Shot - 5" full octagonal barrel
Allen & Wheelock .22rf Single Shot - 3" half-round/half-octagonal barrel
Allen & Wheelock .32rf Single Shot - 5" half-round/half-octagonal barrel
E.Allen .22rf Single Shot - 4" half-round/half-octagonal barrel - flattened frame - Smith&Wesson type grip
E.Allen .32rf Single Shot - 4" half-round/half-octagonal barrel - flattened frame - Smith&Wesson type grip

The Derringer

The derringers are identical in concept to the later Side-Swing pistols. The main difference is the handle, which now has the birds head shape. A .41rf version has also been added to the range.

The derringers were produced throughout the entire E.Allen period and have the following barrel marking: E.ALLEN & CO WORCESTER MASS./ALLEN’S PAT MCH.7.1865.

All derringers have a steel frame and a half-round/half-octogonal barrel. All models now have standard the case ejector.

E.Allen .22rf Derringer - 3" barrel

Exceptions:

  • The very small “vest pocket”, one of the smallest 22rf pistols ever produced, was only introduced in 1869 and has no case ejector. This model is marked E.ALLEN & CO MAKERS.
  • There is a variant of the .41rf derringer with a full octagonal barrel.
  • There is a variant of the .32rf derringer with a brass frame
E.Allen .22rf Vest Pocket Derringer - 2" barrel
E.Allen.32rf Derringer - 4" barrel
E.Allen.41rf Derringer - 2,5" barrel

Sources:

(1) Ethan Allen and Allen & Wheelock, Their guns and their legacy – Paul Henry (2) Flayderman’s guide (3) Wikipedia

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