Deluxe Target Percussion Pistols
Commercial era:
Allen & Thurber
Allen, Thurber & Co
Allen & Wheelock
The Target pistols, also called detachable breech target pistols, are without any doubt some of the best quality weapons manufactured in the Worcester period. It may be clear that these were very expensive weapons for the time and the production has therefore remained very limited. Production started in the Allen & Thurber period and continued into the Allen & Wheelock period without much changes. The pistols are also referred to as “buggy rifles” and came with a detachable shoulder stock.
The barrel barrel could easily be separated from the breech by removing a square headed screw at the bottom of the frame.
These luxury pistols were probably only made to order and came in a box with all the necessary accessories
Barrels are either fully octagonal or half octagonal/half round equipped with a wooden ramrod. Barrel lengths vary from 11″ to 16″ and came in calibers .32 and .36. Typical for target shooting, the pistols have set triggers.
Many of the pistols have a false muzzle and ball starter. The pistols could be equipped with different types of sights. Most common are the tang or peep sights, but some pistols have been mounted with telescope sights.
Not all pistols were as luxury. More ordinary and more affordable versions have been manufactured as the cased example shown here.
