Worcester era pepperboxes - 1847 to 1864
Commercial era:
Allen & Thurber
Allen, Thurber & Co
Allen & Wheelock
Content:
Detailed pictures of collection models
Overview
The earliest models produced at the Worcester facility were essentially carryovers from the Norwich production, featuring the characteristic “dog leg” shaped grip. These examples were made in limited quantities and are considered transitional pieces.
Ethan Allen introduced a new frame profile with a more evenly arched grip. The wooden grip plates no longer included the oval silver inlays typical of the Grafton/Norwich style. This new typical Worcester frame design became the standard across all models through to the end of production.
The barrel cluster also underwent notable changes. Initially, a more rounded cluster with wide flat ribs was introduced. This was later replaced by a fully fluted barrel cluster in subsequent production.
All Worcester-made pepperboxes utilized the 1845 patented system. However, during the early years of production, the older 1837 patent date marking die was still in use. The updated 1845 marking only appeared with the introduction of the fully fluted barrel design.
A dragoon-sized pepperbox featuring the typical Worcester evenly arched grip and a barrel cluster with wide flat ribs. This model also incorporated a spurred trigger guard, designed to offer greater stability when aiming.
The frame and side plate continued to be hand-engraved, though with distinctive Worcester characteristics. As with earlier production from Grafton and Norwich, no two pieces were exactly alike. Early examples showcased elaborate and artistic engraving, highlighting the engraver’s exceptional craftsmanship. However, over time, the engraving became increasingly simplified, reflecting a clear decline in artistic detail, likely due to efforts to reduce manufacturing costs. By the final years of production, engraving was entirely abandoned.
In the first days of Worcester production, Allen introduced a more refined rolled scroll engraving on the nipple shields. The standard size pepperboxes feature a curly symmetrical design while the dragoons have a Rosevine pattern. The rolled scroll engraving remained standard for the whole Worcester period with the exception of the final production batches, where the engraving was omitted for the same cost-cutting reasons mentioned earlier.
Over the course of the seventeen years of pepperbox production in Worcester, the company underwent two name changes. As a result, different barrel markings can be found, reflecting the company’s name.
Worcester barrel markings
| Barrel type | Line 1 | Line 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Wide flat ribs |
Allen & Thurber Worcester |
Patented 1837 Caststeel |
|
Wide flat ribs* |
Allen & Thurber Worcester |
Caststeel |
|
Fluted |
Allen & Thurber Worcester |
|
|
Fluted |
Allen & Thurber Worcester |
Patented 1845 |
|
Fluted |
Allen, Thurber & Co Worcester |
Patented 1845 |
|
Fluted |
Allen & Wheelock Worcester |
|
|
Fluted |
Allen & Wheelock |
|
|
Fluted |
Allen & Wheelock |
Patented 1845 |
|
Fluted |
Allen & Wheelock |
Patented April 16 |
* Extremely rare. Only observed on the single action pepperbox
Worcester hammer markings
| Barrel type | Line 1 | Line 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Wide flat ribs |
Allen’s Patent |
|
|
Fluted |
Allen’s Patent |
1845 |
|
Fluted |
Patented |
April 16, 1845 |
|
Fluted |
Allen’s Patent |
|
|
Fluted* |
Allen’s Patent |
Jan 13, 1857 |
* Only on the 4-shot pepperbox
New designs in Worcester
During the Worcester years, several new pepperbox designs were introduced. Listed in order of appearance:
- The single action -shotgun hammer- pepperbox
- The compact 5 shot pepperbox
- The very compact 4 shot pepperbox
Single action pepperbox
This pepperbox is a standard-sized, six-shot model, but stands out as an unusual and relatively rare variation from the Worcester production period. While nearly all pepperboxes feature a double-action mechanism, this one operates on a single-action system.
In this design, cocking the hammer rotates the barrel cluster, a marked departure from the double-action mechanism in which the trigger performs both functions. This fundamental difference in operation also explains the absence of the 1837 patent date in its markings.
While the single-action system may have offered improved steadiness and a better sight picture—thanks in part to the hammer being slightly offset to the right—it failed to gain much popularity. Buyers of pepperboxes were primarily seeking firepower and speed, not precision. As a result, this model was a commercial failure, and production remained limited.
Five shot pepperbox
This compact 5-shot pepperbox, offering substantial firepower, was introduced early in the Worcester production period. While mechanically identical to the standard pepperbox, it featured a distinctive innovation: the nipple shield was cast as an integral part of the frame. This design gave the firearm a sleek and refined appearance but likely proved costly and time-consuming to produce due to the added complexity in casting and machining.
As demand for pepperboxes declined, a simplified frame design without the integral nipple shield was introduced to reduce manufacturing costs. To further streamline production, engraving was also eventually discontinued. These pepperboxes were produced exclusively with fluted barrel clusters and remained in production until 1864. They can be found bearing all three of the company’s markings from the Worcester era.
Four shot pepperbox
The 4-shot pepperboxes are the smallest models ever produced by Allen. They represent the final attempt to create a highly compact, lightweight, and easily concealable pepperbox—introduced during a period when revolvers had already overtaken pepperboxes in the firearms market. As a result, this design is unique in being the only pepperbox entirely developed, patented, and manufactured during the Allen & Wheelock era.
The mechanism of the 4-shot pepperbox is largely consistent with that of earlier models, but it introduced a notable innovation in how the barrel cluster is attached to the frame. Instead of using a central pin running through the entire cluster, this model employs a freely rotating screw at the rear of the frame. This design allowed for a significantly smaller and more compact barrel cluster.
Patent US16368, issued on January 13, 1857, outlines three improvements, including this new barrel attachment method. This particular pepperbox is the only model to bear the 1857 patent date stamped on the hammer.
Unlike earlier designs, these pepperboxes do not feature a nipple shield. The frame is typically engraved, though engraving was often omitted in later production runs. The barrel cluster includes a standard hammer rest positioned between two nipples, allowing the firearm to be safely carried with all chambers loaded.
Standard and Dragoon pepperboxes in Worcester
The standard and dragoon-sized pepperboxes were continuations of the Norwich production models, retaining the 1845 system but incorporating the new frame and barrel design features introduced during the Worcester era. As with all Worcester-era production, the hand engraving on the frame became increasingly simplified over time. On the standard-sized pepperboxes, engraving was eventually omitted entirely in the final years of production. However, no dragoon-sized specimens are known to exist without engraving. This suggests that production of the dragoon models likely ceased well before the other types.
A cased standard size pepperbox in almost mint condition, having the barrel with the wide flat ribs. Engraving is still relatively elaborated.
A deluxe version of the standard size pepperbox with ivory grips and beautiful engraving, even on the hammer and the fluted barrel. These highly embellished specimens are very rare and highly desirable for the collector.
Concealed hammer pepperbox
This is a concealed hammer pepperbox where the percussion nipples are aligned in-line with the barrels, and the hammer mechanism is fully enclosed within the frame. This distinctive design was introduced during the Norwich period and very few have been produced. Specimens from the Worcester period are extremely scarce. As with all the other models having the wide barrel ribs, the patent date is still marked using the 1837 die.
Pepperbox production would not continue beyond the end of the Allen & Wheelock period of manufacture. As the popularity dwindled due to the increased competition from the revolver designs, the useful life of Allen’s pepperboxes ended.
Allen & Wheelock 4-Shot Pepperbox Standard model
This is a standard model with a simple but elegant engraving, probably produced around 1860. Note the hammer-rest position marked with a “2”
Allen & Thurber Early model 5-shot pepperbox with nipple shield
This is an early model having the frame with the integrated nipple shield and a rather simple engraving. Probably produced around 1850.
Allen & Wheelock Late model 5-shot pepperbox without nipple shield
This is a late model where the cost-cutting measures have resulted in the removal of the nipple shield and the engraving.
Allen & Thurber Standard-size Pepperbox with flat barrel ribs
This pepperbox is the classic model from the early Worcester period with the wide flat barrel ribs.
Cased Allen & Thurber Standard-size Pepperbox with fluted barrel cluster
This pepperbox model has the same classic frame model but is slightly smaller in size and is now with the fluted barrel cluster. This particular pepperbox is in an extraordinaire state of preservation, close to factory new having all of the original case hardening and blue. Presented in it’s orignal case with powder flask, 2-cavity bullet mold and bullet rammer / cleaning rod.
Allen & Thurber Standard-size Pepperbox with fluted barrel cluster
Exact same frame size as the above cased example, but the barrel cluster is slightly shorter. Probably of later date since it has a less sophisticated frame engraving.
Allen & Thurber Shotgun Hammer Single-Action Pepperbox
The commercially unsuccessful single action pepperbox. The internal mechanism is completely different compared to the double action models and the side plate is set on the right side. As a result, also the grip screw is set to the right to optimize assembly.
Allen & Thurber Dragoon-size Pepperbox - Transitional model
This dragoon is by all means massive and is a transitional model from the early days of Worcester production. It bears the characteristics of Norwich dragoons but there are some differences. The side plate engraving is no longer continuous from side to side and the curls in the design are changed such that one points up and the other points down. Furthermore, the nipple shield has now a rose vine motive. The barrel cluster is marked Allen & Thurber Worcester, where the die used for Worcester has significant bigger letters as the die used for the other markings. Note the grip profile is of the dogleg type.
Allen & Thurber Dragoon-size Pepperbox with fluted barrel cluster
A very well preserved dragoon from around mid Worcester vintage. Note the beautiful frame- and side plate engraving.
