Allen's .22RF Sidehammer Revolvers
Commercial era:
Allen & Wheelock
E.Allen & Co
Forehand & Wadsworth
Content:
General information
The .22 rimfire 7-shot side-hammer revolver was the very first cartridge revolver developed and produced by Allen & Wheelock. This development coincided with Smith & Wesson’s introduction of their Model 1 revolver, which featured a patented fully bored-through cylinder. Allen’s cartridge revolver clearly infringed upon this patent, sparking direct competition with S&W’s revolvers.
The characteristic feature of Allen’s revolvers is the placement of the hammer, affixed to the side of the frame, a design documented in patent US22005 issued in November 1858. These revolvers have a 7-shot capacity in .22 short, necessitating the removal of the cylinder for loading and unloading, using the cylinder pin to expel spent shells.
Initial production likely commenced around 1858 and persisted until November 1863. Allen was forced to halt all of the cartridge revolver production following S&W’s legal victory in the patent infringement lawsuit. Production resumed in 1869 after the expiration of S&W’s patent.
The revolvers have a blued steel frame, cylinder and octagonal barrel. The grips are made of walnut wood. The cylinders are beautifully scroll-engraved depicting scenes of crossed guns, a horse and rider, military paraphernalia, an Indian holding a bow, and a sailing ship.
During the initial production period, Allen continually tinkered with the design. In only 5 years time, he managed to create six variants of the revolver. Below you will find an overview of the most important characteristics that can help you identify the varius models.
First model: This model has a cylinder pin that enters from the rear of the frame. The end of the pin has the shape of an hourglass. The hammer face is rather thin and the striker enters the frame to the right of the center.
Second model: This model has the cylinder entering from the front of the frame. The pin is held in place by a setscrew located under the front of the frame. From this model onwards the hammer entry is centered.
Third model: A button head cylinder pin enters again from the rear of the frame. This is the last model where the grip escutcheons are made of steel. On later models these are made of brass.
Forth model: This model and all subsequent models have the cylinder pin entering from the front of the frame and kept in place by a spring latch retainer. It is the last model with the ‘quick drop’ grips.
Fifth model: This model has the newly frame with the more graceful “slow drop” type grip as we know from the S&W revolvers of that time. The recoil shield is now much thinner, and the hammer face is half round-, half square. Early variations have engraved cylinders, but engraving was omitted in later production. The trigger screw that has been hidden under the side plate will now be on the outside of the frame.
Sixth model: fairly identical to the fifth model excepts for the hammer face now being completely square. This is the most common A&W 22 revolver.
In the second production period of E.Allen & Co, 2 variants are identified.
Seventh model: Aside from the barrel markings, these revolvers are a continuation of the Sixth Model. However, the front sight now has a blade shape and the grip escutcheons are somewhat smaller.
Eight model: The bird’s head grips was the final design change. This model will remain in production without further changes for the remainder of the E.Allen & Co period and through the Forehand & Wadsworth era until production ended in the 1890’s
First Model
The first model with the hourglass type cilinder pin, the very nicely shaped hammer and hammer entry offset to the right of the frame.
Late third Model
The third model also referred to as the “button head” due to the shape of the cilinder pin. The revolver is a late third model baring already the frame with the standard size rear sighting lug.
Forth Model
The forth model sees the introduction of the spring latch held cilinder pin (Allen’s patent US33328 of 24 September 1861). The recoil plate is now significantly thinner compared to previous models and the grip escutcheons are now made out of brass. The hammer face is still entirely round.
Late fifth Model
This revolver has the new frame with the S&W style grips. This one is a late fifth model since it has the half round half square hammer face (early type still have the hammers from the forth model revolver). We observe also the introduction of cilinders without engraving.
This particular specimen comes with a beatiful decorated gutta-percha box.
Sixth Model
This is a sixth model revolver, almost identical to the fifth model except for the square hammer face. The .22rf revolvers are almost always blued but some have nickel plating like this one.
Seventh Model
The seventh model is fairly similar to the sixth model from the Allen & Wheelock are but has the E.Allen barrel marking with the Sept.24.1861 patent date. Furthermore the front sight has now a blade shape and the grip escutcheons is now smaller in diameter.
Eight Model
The eight model can be recognized easily by the bird’s head grips and the small frame side plate. The eight model is also a bit lighter in weight compared to the predecesors.
