Allen's Center Hammer Percussion Revolvers
Commercial era:
Allen & Wheelock
E. Allen & Co
Content:
Detailed pictures of collection models
Overview
It can be assumed that Ethan Allen had designed these revolvers with military use in mind, and to obtain government contracts. The introduction of these revolvers coincides with the start of the Civil War, making them the right gun at the right time. Although there is no direct evidence of government contracts, a number of Army revolvers were in military stock and many examples are known to have army inspection markings.
Two models can be distinguished: the .44 Army and the .36 Navy. Both are six-shot revolvers and other than size the only visual difference between the two revolvers is the barrel, which on the Army is half octagonal, half round while on the Navy the barrel is fully octagonal. The barrels are marked on the left side with ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER. MASS. U.S. / PT’S. JAN.13. DEC.15. 1857. SEPT.7.1858. Note the oddity that the last 2 patents do not related to this revolver but do relate to the Side Hammer models. In addition, the revolver has features described in other Ethan Allen patents and these are not mentioned!
The Center Hammer Percussion revolvers are almost identical to the Center Hammer Lipfire cartridge revolvers that were in production during the same period. The question may be asked why Ethan Allen was still making percussion guns when the more advanced cartridge revolvers were available? Probably this had to do with the fact that Ethan Allen infringed Rollin White’s patent with the Lipfire revolvers. He probably covered his risk in case he would lose the lawsuit against him. In 1863 he indeed lost the lawsuit and had to stop the production of the cartridge revolvers. Another hypothesis is that Ethan Allen considered cartridge firearms to be a new and uncertain technology and still saw a good market for percussion revolvers.
The revolvers retain the very typical combination of trigger guard and bullet rammer that was introduced on the Side Hammer models.
The Army model was only available with a 7.5″ barrel while the Navy could be supplied in barrel lengths of 5″, 6″ and 7.5″. It is believed that the Army was produced first because the early models have certain features not seen on the Navy.
While the Navy model only exist in a single variant or type, the Army model however has been produced in 3 main variants or types:
- First type: The percussion nipples enter from the inside of the cylinder chambers. The nipple carveouts have a slight curved form.
- Second type: The percussion nipples are of the traditional type entering from the back of the cylinder. The nipple carveouts are straight.
- Third type: Same as the second type however with the side-plate screw now entering from the left side. These revolvers don’t have any barrel markings and have been produced in the E. Allen & Co era, probably with left-over stock from the Allen & Wheelock era. Furthermore, the 3rd types have a 4 digit serial number starting with 2001.
A further distinction can be made by the type of action. Early models have the so-called hinge pawl type action while later models have a simplified action where the operating hand is connected directly to the hammer. This simplified action wasn’t as smooth as the early action, but was much easier and cheaper to manufacture.
Both type of actions can be found on both the Army and the Navy models.
Allen & Wheelock Centerhammer Army Revolver - First type
This revolver is a first type having the cylinder nipples entering from the inside of the chambers. It also has the early type action, the so called hinge pawl type. The revolver is in a perfect state of conservation and I think that it has never been fired.
Centerhammer Army Revolver - Second type - Early production
This revolver is a second type having the classical percussion nipples. It stil has the early type action, the so called hinge pawl type, indicating early production.
E. Allen & Co Centerhammer Army Revolver - Third type
This revolver represents the third type produced during the E. Allen & Co. era, distinguished by the absence of any maker’s markings on the barrel. Unlike the first two types, this variant falls within the 2xxx serial number range and features a side plate with a screw that enters from the left.
All third-type examples are equipped with the simplified action.
This particular specimen bears the letter ‘K’ on the frame, barrel, and grip. The significance of this marking is unknown.
From the P.O. Collection
Centerhammer Navy Revolver - Early type
This revolver has the serial number 1! Although I strongly believe that Allen has used serial numbers on the center hammer revolvers, it can’t be said with certainty if this is the very first revolver produced since Allen probably has produced several batches, each with their own serial numbers starting at 1. However, the revolver has the hinge pawl type action, which indicates an early type. The majority of Navy revolvers were produced with the simplified action of the later type, in which the operating hand to rotate the cylinder is attached directly to the hammer.
