Cival War Era Photographs
This page features a collection of images primarily from the Civil War era, along with a few earlier photographs dating to the Gold Rush period. The images show individuals holding pistols or revolvers identified as Allen-made arms.
With the exception of the center-hammer percussion Army revolvers, none of these weapons were ever officially adopted by the U.S. military; instead, they were privately purchased by individuals or militias and carried as additional sidearms.
The majority of these images were sourced from various websites across the internet.
Content:
Gold rush and frontier men
The pepperbox was the arm of choice for gold prospectors seeking reliable protection for their lives and property. It offered rapid, substantial firepower that was highly effective at close range.
Civil war
The pepperbox saw limited use during the Civil War but was chosen by some men as a private sidearm. Its effectiveness on the battlefield could be debated due to its lack of accuracy. However, in close combat—such as fighting in trenches—the pepperbox could prove useful.
Quite a number of photographs show soldiers carrying Allen & Wheelock side-hammer percussion revolvers. The vast majority feature the Belt model. Navy models are encountered less often, while Pocket models are rarely seen. Photographs showing the center-hammer models are extremely rare.
The vast majority of surviving photographs show soldiers with Allen & Wheelock side-hammer revolvers, either in .32 RF or .22 RF. These revolvers were produced in significant numbers, which helps explain their relatively widespread use. However, I have only been able to locate a single photograph of a center-hammer lipfire revolver, making images of this type highly sought after.
