Allen's Side-Swing Pistols and Derringers
Commercial era:
Allen & Wheelock
E.Allen & Co
Content:
Detailed pictures of collection models
Overview
The Side Swing single shot pistols and derringers are very simple pocket pistols where the barrel swings to the side for loading and unloading. These pistols have a steel frame and barrel. There are quite a variety of barrel shapes used on these pistols but basically are all either fully octagonal or half-octagonal / half-round. Barrel length vary depending on the model.
The production of the Side-Swing pistols started around 1861 and continued until the end of the E.Allen & Co period.
Quite amazingly, Ethan Allen patented the case ejector for this type of Side-Swing pistols only in March 1865 (patent US46617). The ejector system described in the patent had however already been in production for many years. This explains why the barrel marking of the Allen & Wheelock production are without patent information, while the E.Allen & Co production markings have the patent date.
While the pistols from the last production period are identical from a design perspective , they are referred to as derringers due to the fact that the majority of production is made with short barrel lengths and the grip shape has been changed to a bird’s head shape.
Pistols:
The pistols versions were made in .22RF and .32RF, each with a number of different variants:
- Case ejector: On the .32 version, this case ejector was introduced almost immediately (except for a very small number of early production). However, on the .22 version the case ejector was only introduced in the E.Allen & Co period.
- The barrel: Both .22 and .32 models have been produced with fully octagonal and half-octagonal / half-round barrels. The barrel lengths can vary from 2″ to 5.5″ for the .22 models and from 3″ to 6″ for the .32 models.
- Barrel overlap (lip): Only the .32 models have 3 frame variations: 1) without barrel overlap; 2) with short barrel overlap; 3) with long barrel overlap. The barrel overlap undoubtedly makes the pistol more robust, but was apparently not necessary since on later models this overlap disappears.
- Frame & Grip: The models from the A&W period have a rounded frame and a rounded grip while the E.Allen & Co models have a flattened frame and the Smith & Wesson style grip.
Derringers:
The derringers are the continuation of the Side Swing single shot line of pistols. Compared to their predecessors, the derringers have a more streamlined frame and a grip in the shape of a bird’s head. Beside some exceptions mentioned below, all derringers have a steel frame, a half-round/half-octagonal barrel and a case ejector. Depending on the model, there are different barrel lengths.
The derringers were produced throughout the entire E.Allen period and have the following barrel marking: E.ALLEN & CO WORCESTER MASS./ALLEN’S PAT MCH.7.1865.
There are a few exceptions to the general characteristics. (1) There is a variant of the .32rf derringer with a brass frame. (2) There is a variant of the .41rf derringer with a full octagonal barrel.
In addition, a very small Vest Pocket derringer, one of the smallest 22rf pistols ever produced, was introduced in 1869. This model has a bras frame, no case ejector and is marked E.ALLEN & CO MAKERS.
Allen & Wheelock Side-Swing Pistol with long barrel overlap - 32RF
This is a nickel-plated version with a fully octagonal barrel and a large barrel overlap. It has the typical rounded grip and round frame shape from the Allen & Wheelock period. Estimated production quantity between 500 and 1000 pieces. Although the pistol has the case ejector, the patent date is not included on the marking.
Allen & Wheelock Side-Swing Pistol with short barrel overlap - 32RF
This is a standard blued version with a half octagonal / half round barrel, having the short barrel overlap. As the above model, it has the typical rounded grip and round frame shape from the Allen & Wheelock period. Estimated production quantity around 1000 pieces. Beside the assembly number, this specimen doesn’t have any marking. Note the 4 carve-outs on the right grip plate. We can only imagine what this can mean.
E. Allen & Co Side-Swing Pistol - 32RF
The models from the E.Allen period are by far the most common. All are the same with a half-octagonal / half-round barrel and without barrel overlap. The pistols have the S&W grip style and a flattened frame. The production quantity is estimated at several thousand.
E. Allen & Co Makers Vest Pocket Derringer - 22RF
A beautiful miniature side-swing derringer in perfect condition. This is one of the smallest .22RF derringers ever produced. The entire pistol is no bigger than 4″ with a weight of less than 100 grams. The production lasted only a few years, from 1869 to 1871, and there are not many surviving examples and even fewer in good condition like this one. Compared to its bigger brothers from the same period, this Vest Pocket does not have a case ejector and has a different barrel marking.
E. Allen & Co Derringer - 32RF
This model exists in blued and nickel-plated versions with barrel lengths of 2″, 3.5″, 4″ and 6″ (these are scarce). The barrel is always semi-octagonal and semi-round.
Of all derringers, the .32″ version is the scarcest with a production quantity of less than 1500.
E. Allen & Co Derringer - 41RF
This model comes in blued and nickel-plated versions with short barrel lengths ranging from 2.5″ to 2-7/8″. The majority of production has the semi-octagonal / semi-round barrel, but there is a scarcer version with a full octagonal barrel.
The production quantity of these 41RF derringers is estimated at less than 2000.
This particular collection pistol has been imported into the UK and has Birmingham proof marks on the barrel.
