Ethan Allen

Cartridges & Cartridge boxes

Introduction

Ethan Allen has been a pioneer in cartridge production in the early 1860’s.  This fact is little known, but he has made a significant contribution to the development of cartridge making machines. The main improvements that Allen invented were the process to create a solid and reliable rim on the cartridge case (Patent US 27094) and the method to crimp the cartridge case to hold the bullet and cutting groves in the bullet to hold the lubricant (Patent US31695). Besides his inventions, he had a substantial cartridge manufacturing facility running from the 1860’s up to 1873 when this activity was sold to Union Metallic Cartridge Company.

Cartridges and Cartridge boxes

Ethan Allen has produced a wide variety of cartridges. The majority of the calibers and sizes could be used in Allen’s own guns, but he has also produced other calibers like the 12mm pinfire, the 54 Ballard or 56/52 Spencer. 

Below you will find an overview of the cartridges and where available an image of the original packaging. 

If you have a cartridge box in your possession that isn’t displayed below, or if you have a better-quality picture, then I would be grateful if you would like to share it.  You can contact me through the contact form.

Rimfire cartridges

Note: an * below the cartridge means that the image of the cartridge is of the correct size/caliber but from another manufacturer. Meaning that there could be a slight difference in the shape of the bullet compared to the original Allen cartridge

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
Carabine

54 Starr
Carabine


*

56/52 Spencer


*

56/56 Spencer


*

Lipfire cartridges

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


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