Allen’s Double Barrel Percussion Pistols
Allen’s Double Barrel Percussion Pistols

  • Production period:

    During the 1850's

  • Production quantity:

    Estimated at a few thousand

The double-barreled pistol features a distinctive single-trigger mechanism that releases each hammer individually on successive trigger pulls when both hammers are cocked. However, under stressful conditions, a forceful pull on the trigger could easily cause both hammers to fall simultaneously, discharging both barrels at once. This potential problem could be avoided by cocking and firing one hammer at a time rather than cocking both hammers simultaneously. Although this method sacrificed the advantage of having two shots immediately available, it greatly reduced the risk of an unintended simultaneous discharge.

The pistol is fitted with two parallel, deeply rifled barrels in .34 caliber, available in lengths of 3, 4, 5, or 6 inches. The top rib, between the barrels, is marked with the manufacturer’s name, which varies according to the production period: ALLEN & THURBER, ALLEN, THURBER & CO., or ALLEN & WHEELOCK.

Production of these pistols was limited to the Worcester manufacturing period.

Early examples are fitted with two U-shaped mainsprings and corresponding tension screws located adjacent to the trigger guard. This design was soon superseded by a simplified version incorporating two straight mainsprings and eliminating the tension screws.

As these pistols are muzzle-loading firearms, it is curious that Ethan Allen did not equip them with integral ramrods. This is especially noteworthy because pistols bearing the Bruce & Davis or Spalding & Fisher markings—both generally believed to have been manufactured by Allen—were fitted with ramrods.

A nicely restored picture of a gentleman holding an Allen Double barreled Single trigger Percussion-pistol
An 5 inch barrel early nicked version of the Double Barrel pistol having the tension screws and a late 3 inch barrel version without the tension screws
COLLECTION PIECES

Bruce & Davis Double Barrel Pistol

  • Caliber:

    34

  • Serial number

    4

  • Length:

    Barrel:10,2 cm (4"), Total:18,5 cm

  • Weight:

    461 gr

  • Barrel marking:

    BRUCE & DAVIS CASTSTEEL

The Bruce & Davis pistols have very strong resemblance to Allen’s pistols and it is believed that these pistols where made by the Ethan Allen workshop since they bare all the characteristics.  Bruce & Davis where distributers, not manufacturers, so this is another argument for the theory.

However, there are two noticeable differences between the Bruce & Davis pistol and the Allen pistol: The Bruce & Davis pistol has engraved side plates and grip backstrap. Furthermore, the pistol is equipped with a ramrod, which is a nice improvement compared to the Allen design.