Allen's Bar Hammer Percussion Pistols
Commercial era:
Allen & Thurber
Allen, Thurber & Co
Allen & Wheelock
Overview
These bar hammer pistols, also known as No.9 Single Shot Self Cocking Pistols, feature a distinctive bar-shaped hammer, operating solely in double-action. Primarily designed for self-defense, they excel in close-range effectiveness. These pistols were intended to be carried in a pocket and due to the flat shape of the bar hammer, they could be pulled rapidly without the risk of getting stuck behind clothing. These pistols were one of the cornerstones of Allen’s business and boast a lengthy history of production. The pistols were available in diverse versions and frame sizes with calibers spanning from 28 to 36. The half-octagonal, half-round barrels of the screw-off type, vary in length from 2 to 10 inches.
The standard pistol version has a blued finish and walnut grips. The pistols were often offered in combination with a bullet mold/barrel wrench.
The production that had started in Grafton has continued well into the Worcester period under many variations. The following main variations can be distinguished:
- The Grafton, the Norwich and the very early Worcester version with the sharp angle “quick drop” grip
- The typical Worcester version with a rounded “bag-type” grip
The Muff pistol, a compact version tailored for vest-pocket use, was added to the product range around 1846. These small pistols where only manufactured with 2-inch barrels and calibers ranging from 28 to 31. These pistols were minimally marked, often just with patent details on the hammer and occasionally lacking markings altogether.
Hand-engraving embellishes the frames of all models except for models manufactured during the very last production period where engraving was omitted to save on production costs.
The grip on the very early Grafton pistols have a wide back strap of 1/2″. Later versions have the narrow back strap of 1/4″ that remained in production on all other models without changes.
At around the middle of the Norwich period, the 1837 patented system was replaced by an improved version patented in 1845. This placed the main spring tension screw at the level of the trigger. Strange enough, the 1837 patent marking on the barrel remained well into the Worcester period. In the late Norwich period, the oval silver grip inlay disappear and a slightly different engraving is adopted. Furthermore, Allen added in the Norwich period a ring-trigger version to the catalog.
The Norwich period pistols are marked ALLEN PATENT on the side of the hammer and either PATENTED / 1837 / CAST STEEL on the octagonal part of the barrel or ALLEN & THURBER / NORWICH C-T / CAST STEEL”
The pistols from the early Worcester period are identical to the Norwich design but in the middle of the Worcester period a new design was introduced with a longer frame and the rounded “bag type” grip. This design remained unchanged until the end of production. By the end of production, the market for these pistols had almost completely disappeared and the engraving on the side plates was often omitted to reduce production costs.
Patent marking can be found on the hammer, and the barrel is usually marked CAST STEEL on one barrel flat, and the brand name ALLEN & THURBER or ALLEN & WHEELOCK on another barrel flat
The small “muff” vest pocket model was introduced during the very last years of Norwich but the vast majority has been produced in the Worcester period. The marking on these guns is minimal, sometimes even completely missing, and there are no pistols known with the maker’s name and location. Common marking (on hammer only): ALLEN’S PATENT or PATENTED / APRIL 16.1845.
Early Grafton Allen & Thurber Barhammer pistol
This rather worn specimen is a very rare piece of the early Grafton era. Only a small number were produced, and few surviving pieces are known today. These pistols feature a wide back strap, a design that was quickly abandoned in later production in favor of a much narrower grip strap.
From the P.O. Collection
Worcester period standard model - Allen & Thurber
The shown model has the rounded “bag type” grip and is from the Allen & Thurber / Worcester period. Although the mechanism is already of the 1845 patent type, the barrel is still marked with the 1837 patent reference.
Worcester period standard model - Allen, Thurber & Co
This one is of a slightly later production date since it has the 1845 patent date on the hammer and Allen Thurber & Co barrel marking. Otherwise identical except for the engraving and markings.
Muff Pistol - Allen & Thurber
The shown model is from the Allen & Thurber period which can be seen by the marking on the hammer ALLEN’S PATENT. This marking does not yet reference the 1845 patent. The trigger guard is oval with a straight angle.
Muff Pistol - Allen & Wheelock
This one is probably from the Allen & Wheelock period, but this cannot be said with certainty. The pistol does not yet have a rounded hammer but does have PATENTED APRIL 16, 1845 hammer markings.
The trigger guard is completely oval.
