Allen's Sidehammer Lipfire Revolvers
Commercial era:
Allen & Wheelock
E.Allen & Co
The Sidehammer Lipfire revolver features a distinctive design, incorporating an overhead rack-and-pinion ejector system. It was produced exclusively in .32 Lipfire caliber, with barrel lengths available in 4, 5, or 6 inches. Most examples of this revolver were manufactured during the Allen & Wheelock period, bearing patent dates of 1858 and July 3, 1860.
There are two variations of the unique case ejector system. One with a square ejector housing and an ejector tube covering fully the ejector. The second variant has a beveled ejector housing and a shorter ejector tube allowing part of the ejector to protrude. This variant is only known to the Allen & Wheelock production.
As for the rimfire revolvers, the production stopped in November 1863 as the result of patent infringement lawsuit, and resumed during the E. Allen & Co period in 1869 after the expiration of the Rollin White patent. The only differences with the Allen & Wheelock production is a blade shaped front sight, and the barrel marking.
Ethan Allen & Co Side-Hammer Lipfire Revolver
This well-preserved 32 Lipfire revolver retains traces of its original blue finish and dates to the E. Allen & Co. period. It features the additional 1861 patent date stamped on the barrel and is fitted with the characteristic blade-shaped front sight typical of E. Allen production.
From the P.O. Collection
Ethan Allen & Co Side-Hammer Lipfire Revolver - 32RF conversion
This revolver also dates to the E. Allen period, but it features a rare nickel-plated finish.
As lip-fire cartridges became increasingly scarce, revolvers of this type were often converted to fire the more widely available rimfire cartridges. The conversion required milling a thin slice from the top of the cylinder, as seen on this example.
Note also the number 784 on the ejector housing. This specimen is the only one I have observed with a number on the housing and I have no idea what it is referencing.
