Allen & Thurber Side Hammer Target Pistols

  • Production period:

    Between the late 1840's and beginning of the 1850's

  • Production quantity:

    Very few, estimated at around 200 for each of the two variants

This single-shot pistol is specially made for precision target shooting and is an improved and heavy version of the standard single-shot pistols. The pistol was available in various calibers including .34″, .41″ and .45″, with barrel lengths ranging from 6″ to 10″.

As this is a target pistol, it has an adjustable front and rear sights, a fairly light trigger pressure and a spur under the trigger guard.  On very early models the trigger guards are without spur. A wooden ramrod is mounted underneath the barrel. In most cases, the housing for the ramrod is a steel tube, however, some pistols are equipped with a brass tube. 

Barrel marking ALLEN & THURBER WORCESTER CASTSTEEL. Some also found  with the ALLEN THURBER & CO marking.

The standard version has a single screw grip while the large frame variant has a significant bigger grip with 2 screws.

Allen & Thurber Sidehammer Target Pistol - Right side view
Standard version Allen & Thurber target pistol
Large Frame Allen & Thurber Target Pistol having the 2 screw grips. Note the brass housing for the ramrod.
OWN COLLECTION

Standard size model with 8" barrel

  • Caliber:

    41

  • Assembly number:

    99

  • Length:

    Barrel:20,3 cm (8"), Total:32cm

  • Weight:

    877 gr

  • Barrel marking:

    ALLEN & THURBER WORCHESTER CASTSTEEL

This standard size pistol is from the Worcester era and is marked Allen & Thurber.