Collectors and historians have long debated the origins of this compact, elegantly styled pocket revolver, which differs considerably from most other firearms Ethan Allen produced. The earliest known examples bore no markings whatsoever, raising doubts about whether Allen’s factory had actually manufactured the model. The discovery of several surviving specimens bearing ALLEN & WHEELOCK markings eventually confirmed its connection to the company.

Questions also remain about the revolver’s origins and the circumstances surrounding its introduction. When the model appeared, Smith & Wesson was pursuing patent litigation against Allen. Its striking resemblance to the Smith & Wesson No. 1 seems unlikely to have been coincidental. Many researchers believe Allen deliberately designed the revolver as a challenge—or perhaps even a subtle act of defiance—toward Smith & Wesson. This theory might also explain why most surviving examples lack any manufacturer’s markings.

The revolver features a seven-shot cylinder chambered for the .25 Lipfire cartridge. Despite its innovative and attractive design, the relatively delicate internal mechanism raises questions about its durability and long-term reliability.