Ethan Allen

Cartridges & Cartridge boxes

Content:

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 the known Allen cartridges, along with images of original packaging where available.

If you own a cartridge box not shown here, or if you can provide a higher-quality photograph, I would be very grateful if you shared it. You can reach me through the contact form.

Rimfire cartridges

CaliberAllen’s IDCartridgeBoxes – Allen & WheelockBoxes – E. Allen & Co

22 Short
No 22

22 Short
A&W stamp
No 30

30 Short
–

32 Short
No 32

100 Cartridge box

32 Long
No 32 Long

35 Rifle
No 62

38 Short
–

38 Long
–

41 Short
No 41

42 Rifle
No 64

44 Short
No 44

44 Long
–

46 Short
–

54 Ballard
Carbine		–

54 Starr
Carbine
–

56/52 Spencer
–

56/56 Spencer
–

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.

CaliberAllen’s IDCartridgeBoxes

25 Lipfire
No 50

32 Lipfire
No 52

36 Lipfire
No 56

44 Lipfire
No 58

 

 

Pinfire cartridges

CaliberAllen’s IDCartridgeBoxes

12mm Pinfire
Lefaucheux
–