Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Pepperbox revolvers were so named because of the similarity of the front view of the weapon was so reminiscent of a Pepper Pot of the time being a circle of round holes. This example was made by Ethan Allen of Massachusetts (1808-1871). Allen developed his Gun business by taking his brother-in-law Charles Thurber as his partner, and they moved the plant to Worcester, Mass.
Ethan Allen, no relation to the Revolutionary Ethan Allen, applied for various patents, most notably early on for a "TUBE HAMMER" ignition system in 1837, which was renewed in 1845. After Charles Thurber passed away in 1856, Ethan Allen later took into his business another brother-in-law, Thomas Wheelock, who worked with the company until 1865. As before, the company was known for its rotating cylinder/barrel revolvers.
This is the type exhibited on our Pepperbox Revolver offered here. The weapon is Six Shot in approximately .32 caliber measuring 6 1/4" overall with 2 1/2" barrels. Removal of the grips shows that serial number 24 is stamped on both grip scales, the mainspring, and grip frame. This is definitely an "all matching" example, and hasn't been messed with. The frame has some very nice decorative engraving on the sideplates of the action, and the tube hammer still has faded markings:
ALLEN'S PATENT.
[1845.]
This example is further marked on the flats between the barrels with:
ALLEN & WHEELOCK
WORCESTER
PATENTED APRIL 16. [1845]
The company was known by various names over the years. From 1856 to 1865 it was known as Allen & Wheelock (Worcester), so this pistol is from that period, after the patent renewal was granted. The low serial number suggests it was made very early after the name change, so this revolver was probably mace around 1857.
Later, his two Sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth, who continued the business after Ethan Allen's death in 1871. Most interesting that all these names have become an integral part of the U.S. arms industry.
The Pepperbox is in a fair to good condition, fully operational but NOT sold for firing.
An interesting stepping stone in 19th Century American firearms.
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1857
Caliber: approx .32"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 7 1/4 inches
Action: Double Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
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- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required
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