Allen's Double Barrel Percussion Pistols
Commercial era:
Allen & Thurber
Allen, Thurber & Co
Allen & Wheelock
General info:
This double barreled pistol has a unique feature of a single trigger which releases both hammers individually (on two separate pulls) when both cocked simultaneously. There was however a good chance that both shots fired at the same time when the trigger was pulled with vigor since it would be hard to stop half way through the pull. The two parallel deep rifled barrels are in .34″ caliber and came in lengths of 3″, 4″, 5″ or 6″. Marking on the top, between the two barrels, with the company name depending production period: ALLEN & THURBER or ALLEN, THURBER & CO or ALLEN & WHEELOCK.
These pistols were only made in the Worcester period. Early production has two U-shaped main springs and tension screws at the level of the trigger guard. This version was quickly replaced by a simplified model having a straight mainspring without any tension screws.
Bruce & Davis Double Barrel Pistol
Bruce & Davis where distributers, not manufacturers. It is believed that these pistols where made by Allen, or at least the frame and the actions.
The Bruce & Davis pistol has an identical look however is engraved (side plates and grip) and is equipped with a ramrod. It is by the way difficult to understand why Allen’s own pistols were not made with ramrods…
