Ethan Allen

Cartridges & Cartridge boxes

Content:

Detailed pictures of collection models 

Introduction

In the early 1860s, Ethan Allen emerged as a pioneer in cartridge production—a fact that remains little known today. He made significant contributions to the development of cartridge-making machinery, most notably developing:

  • a process for producing a strong, reliable rim on cartridge cases (Patent US 27094)
  • a method for crimping the case to secure the bullet
  • a technique for cutting grooves into the bullet to hold lubricant (Patent US 31695)

In addition to these innovations, Allen operated a substantial cartridge manufacturing facility from the 1860s until 1873, when the business was sold to the Union Metallic Cartridge Company.

Cartridges and Cartridge boxes

Ethan Allen produced a wide variety of cartridges. While most calibers and sizes were designed for use in Allen’s own firearms, he also manufactured cartridges for other systems, including the 12mm pinfire, the .54 Ballard, and the 56/52 Spencer.

Below is an overview of all cartridges produced by Allen, along with images of original packaging where available.

If you own a cartridge box not shown on this page and would be willing to share the image for publication, I would be most grateful if you contacted me via the contact form.

Lipfire Cartridges

The lipfire is a unique cartridge designed and patented by Ethan Allen (US30109, September 1860). It is a variation of the rimfire case in which the rim extends over only one-eighth of the case circumference—hence the name ‘lipfire.’ At the time, fulminate was costly, and Allen’s design offered a clever way to reduce expenses, requiring only one-eighth of the usual priming compound.

Caliber:

.25 Lipfire  (Allen’s No. 50)

Box of 100 No.50 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock

Caliber:

.32 Lipfire  (Allen’s No. 52)

Box of 50 No.52 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock

Caliber:

.36 Lipfire  (Allen’s No. 56)

Box of 2 Doz. No.56 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 2 Doz. No.56 cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.44 Lipfire  (Allen’s No. 58)

Box of 2 Doz. No.58 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 2 Doz. No.58 cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co
Rimfire Cartridges

Caliber:

.22 short  (Allen’s No. 22)

Box of 100 No.22 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 100 No.22 cartridges with image of Allen's Vest Pocket Derringer - Ethan Allen & Co
Box of 100 No.22 cartridges with image of Allen's Sidehammer revolver - Forehand & Wadsworth
Box of 100 No.22 cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co
Box of 100 No.22 cartridges with image of Allen's Sidehammer revolver - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.22 short A&W stamp  (Allen’s No. 30)

Extremely rare box of 100 No.30 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock

Caliber:

.30 short

Caliber:

.32 short (Allen’s No. 32)

Box of 50 No.32 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 100 No.32 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 50 No.32 cartridges with image of Allen's Sidehammer revolver - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.32 long (Allen’s No. 32 long)

Box of 50 No.32(long) cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 50 No.32(long) cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.35 rifle (Allen’s No. 62)

Caliber:

.38 short

Caliber:

.38 long

Caliber:

.41 short (Allen’s No. 41)

Box of 50 No.41 cartridges with image of Allen's 41RF Derringer - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.42 rifle (Allen’s No. 64)

Box of 2 Doz. No.64 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 2 Doz. No.64 cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co

Caliber:

.44 short (Allen’s No. 44)

Box of 50. No.44 cartridges - Allen & Wheelock

Caliber:

.44 long 

Caliber:

.46 short

Caliber:

.54 Ballard Carbine

Caliber:

.54 Starr Carbine

Caliber:

.56/52 Spencer

Caliber:

.56/56 Spencer short

Pinfire Cartridges

Caliber:

12mm Pinfire Lefaucheux

Box of 2 Doz. 12mm Pinfire cartridges - Allen & Wheelock
Box of 2 Doz. 12mm Pinfire cartridges - Ethan Allen & Co