Allen & Wheelock Sidehammer Percussion Revolvers
It is widely believed that Ethan Allen drew inspiration from the Colt Root Revolver when designing these side-hammer revolvers, as evidenced by their close similarities, including the side hammer and the rear-entering cylinder pin. As a result, this revolver is also known as the “Allen’s Colt.”
This revolver represented a major improvement over the transitional Bar Hammer models. It was a far more advanced weapon, incorporating several unique features described in the following patents:
- US16367 : Covers the revolver’s most distinctive feature, in which the trigger guard also functions as a bullet-loading lever.
- US18836 : Describes the mechanism for cylinder rotation and locking.
- US21400 : Covers an improved cylinder pin design
These revolvers were produced in three distinct frame sizes: a 6-shot Navy model in .36 caliber, a 5-shot Belt model in .32 caliber, and a 5-shot Pocket model in .28 caliber.
Production began around 1857, likely soon after the Colt patent expired. Because the December 15, 1857 patent drawing depicts a five-shot revolver, it is generally accepted that the Belt model was produced first. This view is further supported by the fact that the Belt revolver displays the greatest variety among the models. The Navy version followed soon afterward, while the Pocket model was introduced somewhat later. Overall, production is believed to have lasted only about four years. At least for the Navy model, this can be readily explained by the introduction of the much more robust Center Hammer Navy revolvers in 1861.
All models are marked on the left side of the barrel with:
ALLEN & WHEELOCK. WORCHESTER, MASS. U.S. ALLEN’S PT’S. JAN. 13. DEC. 15. 1857 SEPT. 7. 1858,
except for early production examples, which do not include the 1858 patent date.
The revolvers feature a blued barrel and frame, along with a case-hardened hammer, cylinder, trigger, and trigger guard. The cylinders are attractively scroll engraved and depict animal scenes set in a forest, with a different scene for each caliber.
Despite the short production period, numerous variants of these revolvers exist, suggesting that Allen continually refined the design to simplify manufacturing and reduce costs. Variations can be found in the side plate, cylinder, cylinder pin, and trigger-guard latch. The Belt revolver shows the greatest variety, likely because it was the first model produced, followed by the Navy and shortly thereafter the Pocket model.
In addition to many minor differences, the primary visual distinguishing feature is the shape of the side plate and the number of screw holes. The side plates have been classified below in what appears to be the most logical evolutionary sequence. The vast majority of production used the Type 6 “one-screw” side plate.
There are basically 3 types of cylinders with a small variation in the first type. The differences can only be observed by removing the cylinder, as they concern the shape of the rear of the cylinder. The vast majority of production has been produced with the type 3 cylinder.
In addition, several types of cylinder pins can be found across the various models.
A final distinguishing feature is the trigger-guard locking system. Early production revolvers used a friction-latch system, which proved relatively weak and was soon replaced by a snap-latch system that remained unchanged for the rest of production.
Using these characteristics, a simplified classification can be made according to the tables below. The cylinder type is treated here as a variant rather than a primary type differentiator.
The Belt Model
| Type | Side Plate | Cylinder | Trigger Guard |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st – Var 1 |
Type 1B |
Type 1B |
Friction latch |
|
1st – Var 2 |
Type 1B |
Type 2B |
Friction latch |
|
2nd |
Type 2B |
Type 1B |
Friction latch |
|
3rd |
Type 4B |
Type 2B |
Friction latch |
|
4th – Var 1 |
Type 5BP |
Type 2B |
Friction latch |
|
4th – Var 2 |
Type 5BP |
Type 3 |
Friction latch |
|
5th |
Type 6 |
Type 3 |
Snap latch |
The Navy Model
| Type | Side Plate | Cylinder | Trigger Guard |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
Type 3NP |
Type 1N |
Friction latch |
|
2nd – Var 1 |
Type 3NP |
Type 1N |
Snap latch |
|
2nd – Var 2 |
Type 3NP |
Type 3 |
Snap latch |
|
3rd |
Type 6 |
Type 3 |
Snap latch |
The Pocket Model
| Type | Side Plate | Cylinder | Trigger Guard |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st |
Type 3NP |
Type 3 |
Friction latch |
|
2nd |
Type 5BP |
Type 3 |
Friction latch |
|
3rd |
Type 6 |
Type 3 |
Snap latch |
Sidehammer Navy Revolver - 3rd Type
The Navy Side-Hammer is a notably massive revolver for its modest .36 caliber. Its fully octagonal barrel was produced in lengths ranging from 5.3 to 8 inches; the present example features the 5.3-inch barrel. As previously noted, the Navy revolver exists in numerous variations. The specimen illustrated here is the most common 4th type, identified by the two patent dates stamped on the barrel, a Type 3 cylinder, and a Type 6 side plate.
Sidehammer Belt Revolver - 5th type - 4" barrel
The Belt revolver is a scaled-down and less massive version of the Navy revolver. The principal distinction between the two models is that the Navy features a six-shot cylinder, whereas the Belt is equipped with a five-shot cylinder. Belt revolvers were manufactured in .31, .32, and .34 caliber, with the vast majority produced in .32 caliber. All examples were fitted with octagonal barrels, available in lengths of 4, 5, 6, or 7½ inches.
The revolver illustrated here is a 5th-type example, distinguished by its Type 6 side plate, Type 3 cylinder, and the presence of two patent dates stamped on the barrel.
Sidehammer Belt Revolver - 5th type - 6" barrel
As the Belt revolver above, this specimen is a 5th type with the same main characteristics. There are however some minor differences like a slightly smaller trigger guard latch, a different knurling on the hammer (a teardrop shape vs a saddle shape), a different shape of rear sight machined into the frame. Also, the pin on the right side of the frame, close to the trigger has now disappeared.
It can be concluded that this revolver if from a different production batch.
A zoom on some differences between the 2 collection models
