Allen's Early Percussion Pistols
Commercial era:
E.Allen
Allen & Thurber
The Pocket Rifle - First Model
In 1837, Ethan Allen created the first firearm of his own design, which he named the Under Cock Pocket Rifle. It was a single-shot percussion pistol featuring an under-hammer mechanism. The term “rifle” was likely used because the handgun had a rifled barrel; a rare feature for pistols of that era.
The hammer was positioned beneath the barrel, allowing effective sights to be mounted on top for improved target shooting. The pistol has a distinctive saw-handle grip, which provided an unusually long sight radius for greater accuracy. These pistols were produced in calibers ranging from .28 to .44, with barrel lengths between 5 and 10 inches.
The marking was stamped on the thin metal plate covering the action and read: E. ALLEN / GRAFTON / MASS – POCKET RIFLE / CAST STEEL / WARRANTED
These pistols were produced with traditional workmanship methods of the time, resulting in slightly different dimensions for each single pistol. The pistols can be found with- and without engraving on the side plates and also the oval silver inlay on the grip is not always present. Interestingly, the engraving appears to have been added after the marking was stamped, which in many cases resulted in portions of the marking being partially obscured.
These pistols were often sold in pairs where the pair had identical batch numbers. Pistols having the name of a retail agent are quite common. Due to the great popularity of the pistol, these remained in production for 10 years until the end of 1847. All pistols are marked exclusively with ‘E.Allen/Grafton although during the 10 year’s production period the partnership with Thurber was established and production was moved to Norwich in 1842.
The Pocket Rifle - Second Model
The second model is of a completely different design, but was also referred to as a Pocket Rifle. This pistol is much more compact and clearly not intended for target shooting, but rather to be carried as a self-defense weapon. These pistols are the first to feature the Allen & Thurber marking and were exclusively made in .36 caliber. The pistols were marked CAST STEEL / WARRANTED / POCKET RIFLE ALLEN & THURBER / GRAFTON, MASS.
Production has been extremely limited in the Grafton and Norwich period, as Allen’s focus moved quickly to the much more attractive and innovative double action pistol models.
For still unknown reasons, small-scale production of this pistol resumed in the Worcester period. These pistols are almost identical to those from the Grafton period, with the difference to have the narrow back strap allowing a better positioning of the grip plates and lacking the oval silver inlay on the grip, typical of the Grafton/Norwich period. In addition, these models are marked ALLEN & THURBER / WORCESTER / CAST STEEL.
Most of the second model pocket rifles that can still be found today come from the Worcester period.
The Tube Hammer Pistol
This is the pistol which brought Ethan Allen the first steps to success. It features the very innovative double action that Allen patented in 1837 under patent US461. With Allen’s invention of the double action, the shot could be fired instantly by simply pulling the trigger, a real revolution for that time. In the following years, Allen applied the 1837 DA system to all the bar hammer pistols and pepperboxes he would bring to the market.
The hammer has a curved tube shape – hence the name – and therefore does not have a thumb grip for cocking. The smooth bore barrel is half octagonal-half round and is of the screw-off type allowing easy loading. The small pistol is not equipped with aiming devices which clearly means that this pistol has been designed to be carried in a pocket and to be used as a close range self-defense weapon. Early models have a ‘quick drop’ type grip while later models have the more gently angled ‘slow drop’ grips. The walnut grip plates have the typical oval silver inlay. The back strap is relatively wide (1/2″) and engraved.
Production was very limited and is estimated at a few hundred pieces. The pistol was quickly replaced by the far more appealing bar hammer line of pistols.
This nicely cased pistol is of slightly later vintage and has the slow drop grips
Another variant without engraving and having a 2-screw side plate.
Pocket Rifle First Model
A very nice preserved Pocket Rifle with a relatively short barrel. The engraving displays a couple of pheasants in the reed which differs from the geometrical engravings found on most pieces.
