One of the cornerstones of Ethan Allen’s early business was the single-shot bar-hammer percussion pistol, which Allen referred to as the No. 9 Self-Cocking Pistol. Production began in Grafton around 1837 and continued well into the Worcester period, during which the pistol underwent several distinct design variations.
The earliest Grafton and Norwich models, as well as the first Worcester examples, featured a sharply angled grip commonly referred to as the “quick-drop” grip. Judging by the relatively small number of surviving specimens, these early pistols appear to have been produced in limited quantities. This is likely explained by the fact that Ethan Allen’s primary focus during this period was the manufacture of pepperbox revolvers.
Early in the Worcester period, the grip was redesigned with a more rounded, evenly arched profile, commonly known as the “bag-type” grip. This configuration became the standard Worcester pattern and remained in production for many years with few subsequent design changes. Standard bar-hammer pistols were manufactured in .36 caliber with barrel lengths ranging from 3 to 6 inches.
Around 1846, Allen introduced the Muff Pistol, a compact version intended for discreet vest-pocket carry. These pistols were produced exclusively with 2-inch barrels in calibers ranging from .28 to .31. They were only lightly marked, typically bearing the patent inscription on the hammer, while some examples were left completely unmarked.
The standard Barhammer pistol featured a blued finish with walnut grips. These pistols were frequently sold as part of a set that included a combined 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 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.
Around the middle of the Norwich period, Allen replaced the mechanism covered by the 1837 patent with an improved design patented in 1845. The most visible external change was the relocation of the mainspring tension screw to a position level with the trigger. Curiously, the PATENTED / 1837 / CAST STEEL barrel marking continued to be used well into the Worcester period, despite the adoption of the later patent.
During the latter part of the Norwich period, the oval silver escutcheon inset into the grip was discontinued, and the frame engraving was revised to a slightly different pattern. Allen also introduced a ring-trigger variant, expanding the range of available configurations.
Norwich-period pistols are marked ALLEN PATENT on the side of the hammer and are found with 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. As previously noted, they were soon superseded by a redesigned model featuring a longer frame and the characteristic rounded “bag-type” grip. This configuration became the standard Worcester pattern and remained essentially unchanged for the remainder of production.
By the final years of manufacture, demand for single-shot bar-hammer pistols had declined considerably as more advanced repeating firearms gained popularity. In an effort to reduce production costs, the decorative hand engraving on the side plates was frequently omitted on these late-production pistols.
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 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.
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
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
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.