Allen’s Center Hammer Army and Navy Percussion Revolvers
Allen’s Center Hammer Army and Navy Percussion Revolvers
It is reasonable to assume that Ethan Allen designed these sturdy revolvers with military use and potential government contracts in mind. Their introduction coincided with the outbreak of the Civil War, placing them in the right market at the right time. Although no direct evidence of government contracts has been found, a number of Army revolvers were held in military inventory, and many surviving examples bear army inspection markings.
Two models can be distinguished: the .44 Army and the .36 Navy. Both are six-shot revolvers, and aside from size, the primary visual difference lies in the barrel shape. The Army model features a barrel that is half octagonal and half round, whereas the Navy model has a fully octagonal barrel.
The left side of the barrel is marked: ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER. MASS. U.S. / PT’S. JAN.13. DEC.15. 1857. SEPT.7.1858. Notably, the Dec 15th patent date does not relate directly to this revolver but instead refer to the Side Hammer models. Conversely, several features covered by other Ethan Allen patents are present but not mentioned in the marking.
The Center Hammer percussion revolvers are almost identical in appearance to the contemporary Center Hammer Lipfire revolver cartridge models produced during the same period. This raises the question of why Ethan Allen continued manufacturing percussion revolvers when the more advanced cartridge systems were already available.
The most plausible explanation relates to the patent held by Rollin White for the bored-through cylinder, which was exclusively licensed to Smith & Wesson. Allen’s Lipfire revolvers infringed this patent. It is therefore likely that he continued producing percussion models as a safeguard, anticipating potential legal action. That legal action did indeed materialize, and in 1863 Allen lost the lawsuit and was compelled to cease production of all cartridge revolvers.
Another possible explanation is more commercial than legal. Cartridge firearms were still relatively new technology at the time, and Allen may have viewed them as uncertain in long-term viability. Percussion revolvers, by contrast, were well established and continued to enjoy steady market demand.
The revolvers retain the characteristic combination of trigger guard and bullet rammer first introduced on the Side Hammer percussion models.
The Army model features a standard 7.5-inch barrel, while the Navy was offered with barrel lengths of 5, 6, or 7.5 inches. It is generally believed that the Army model was produced first, as early examples display distinctive features not found on the Navy models.
While the Navy model only exist in a single variant or type, the Army model however was produced in three main variants or types:
- First type: The percussion nipples are inserted from the inside of the cylinder chambers. All of the specimens observed by me have nipple cutouts with a slight curved profile. I can’t say with certainty if this is the case for all first type revolvers produced.
- Second type: The percussion nipples are of the conventional type, entering from the rear of the cylinder. All of the specimens observed by me have straight nipple cutouts.
- Third type: Same as the second type, but with the side-plate screw now entering from the left side. These revolvers have no barrel markings and were produced during the E. Allen & Co. era, likely using leftover stock from the Allen & Wheelock period. In addition, third-type revolvers carry four-digit serial numbers beginning at 2001.
A further distinction can be made based on the type of action. Early models use the so-called hinge-pawl action, while later models employ a simplified mechanism in which the operating hand is connected directly to the hammer. Although this simplified action was not as smooth in operation as the earlier design, it was easier and less expensive to manufacture.
Both action types can be found on Army and Navy models.
Allen & Wheelock Center-hammer Army Revolver – First type
Note: The available space on the barrel flat was insufficient for the complete marking. As a result, the “S” in “U.S.” is truncated on the first line, while only the numeral “1” of the date 1858 appears on the second line.
This revolver is a first-type example, with the cylinder nipples entering from the inside of the chambers. It also features the early hinge-pawl action to rotate the cylinder.
The revolver remains in excellent condition, and it appears likely that it has never been fired.
Allen & Wheelock Center-hammer Army Revolver – Second type – Early production
Note: As with all Army revolvers, the space on the barrel flat was too small to occomodate the full marking.
This revolver is a second type having the conventional percussion nipples. It stil has the early type action, the so called hinge pawl type, indicating early production.
E. Allen & Co Center-hammer Army Revolver – Third type
This revolver represents the third type produced during the E. Allen & Co. era, directly recognizable by the absence of any markings and the side plate with a screw entering from the left side. Unlike the first two types, this variant falls within the 2xxx serial number range and is only produced with the simplified action.
This particular specimen bears the letter “K” on the frame, barrel, and grip; the significance of this marking remains unknown.
From the P.O. Collection
Allen & Wheelock Center-hammer Navy Revolver – Early type
This revolver has serial number 1. Although I strongly believe that Allen used serial numbers on the Center Hammer revolvers, it cannot be stated with certainty that this is the very first example produced, as Allen likely manufactured several batches, each with serial numbers beginning at 1.
However, the revolver is fitted with the hinge-pawl action, which indicates an early production type. The majority of Navy revolvers were produced with the later simplified action, in which the operating hand that rotates the cylinder is attached directly to the hammer.
Allen & Wheelock Center-hammer Navy Revolver – Late type
This Navy revolver represents the late variant with the simplified internal mechanism. Externally, it closely resembles the earlier model; however, the most notable difference is the cylinder pin, which has a significantly smaller head and a reduced overall diameter. In addition, the partitions between the cylinder nipples have been reduced in size, providing easier access to the nipples for capping and maintenance.
From the P.O. Collection
Continue exploring Ethan Allen’s legacy
As the predecessor of the center-hammer percussion revolver, the side-hammer model saw considerable service during the American Civil War. Although never officially adopted by the U.S. military, it was widely purchased as a private sidearm by soldiers, officers, and state militia units. Period photographs attest to its popularity, making it one of the Allen firearms most frequently encountered in Civil War images.
Sharing the same basic design as the center-hammer percussion revolvers, these models are distinguished by their use of Allen's innovative lipfire cartridge. The Army lipfire revolver can be regarded as America's first large-caliber cartridge revolver. Although produced in limited numbers, it represents a significant technological achievements and an important step in the evolution of the modern revolver.