The single-shot bar-hammer percussion pistol formed one of the cornerstones of Ethan Allen’s early business. Allen marketed this firearm as the No. 9 Self-Cocking Pistol. He began producing it in Grafton around 1837 and continued manufacturing it well into the Worcester period, introducing several distinct design variations along the way.
The earliest Grafton and Norwich models, along with the first Worcester examples, featured a sharply angled grip commonly known as the “quick-drop” grip. The relatively small number of surviving specimens suggests that Allen produced these early pistols in limited quantities, probably because he concentrated primarily on manufacturing pepperbox revolvers during this period.
Early in the Worcester period, Allen redesigned the grip, giving it a more rounded, evenly arched profile commonly known as the “bag-type” grip. This configuration became the standard Worcester pattern and remained largely unchanged for many years. Allen manufactured these standard bar-hammer pistols in .36 caliber, with barrel lengths ranging from 3 to 6 inches.
Around 1846, Allen introduced the Muff Pistol, a compact variation designed for discreet vest-pocket carry. He produced these pistols exclusively with 2-inch barrels in calibers ranging from .28 to .31. Most examples bear only a patent inscription on the hammer, while some have no markings at all.
The standard bar-hammer pistol featured a blued finish and walnut grips. Allen frequently sold these pistols as part of a set that included a combination bullet mold and barrel wrench.
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 earliest Grafton pistols featured a wide, 1/2-inch backstrap, while later versions adopted a narrower, 1/4-inch backstrap. Allen retained this narrower design on all subsequent models without further changes.
Around the middle of the Norwich period, Allen replaced the mechanism covered by his 1837 patent with an improved design that he patented in 1845. The most noticeable external change involved moving the mainspring tension screw to a position level with the trigger. Curiously, Allen continued using the PATENTED / 1837 / CAST STEEL barrel marking well into the Worcester period, despite having adopted the newer mechanism.
During the latter part of the Norwich period, Allen eliminated the oval silver escutcheon from the grip and introduced a slightly revised frame engraving pattern. He also expanded the range of available configurations by introducing a ring-trigger variant.
Norwich-period pistols bear the ALLEN PATENT marking on the side of the hammer and feature one of two barrel inscriptions: PATENTED / 1837 / CAST STEEL on the octagonal portion of the barrel, or ALLEN & THURBER / NORWICH, C-T / CAST STEEL.
The earliest Worcester-period pistols initially retained the Norwich design. However, Allen soon introduced a redesigned model with a longer frame and the distinctive rounded “bag-type” grip. This configuration became the standard Worcester pattern and remained essentially unchanged throughout the rest of production.
During the final years of manufacture, demand for single-shot bar-hammer pistols declined considerably as more advanced repeating firearms gained popularity. To reduce manufacturing costs, Allen frequently omitted the decorative hand engraving from the side plates of these late-production pistols.
The hammer typically bears a patent marking, while the barrel usually features CAST STEEL on one flat and the manufacturer’s name, ALLEN & THURBER or ALLEN & WHEELOCK, on another.
Allen introduced the small “Muff” vest-pocket pistol during the final years of the Norwich period, although most examples date from the Worcester period. These compact pistols bear minimal markings, and some lack markings altogether. No known examples carry both the manufacturer’s name and location. When present, the markings typically appear only on the hammer and read 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 with extremely thin and fragile wooden grips, a design that was quickly abandoned in later production in favor of a much narrower grip strap allowing for more solid grip plates.
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From the P.O. CollectionÂ
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
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
Continue exploring Ethan Allen’s legacy
Worcester Production Pepperboxes
Pepperboxes from the Worcester period are characterized by the evenly arched "late rounded" grips design. It is by far the longest period of pepperbox production and the Worcester models are therefore the most encountered pieces today.
Besides the design changes on existing models, the Worcester period gives also birth to some new models like the 4-shot and 5-shot pepperboxes as well as the single action pepperbox.