Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely early percussion pocket pistol, made in the 1840's for the U.S. Market by Ethan Allen of Massachusetts (1808-1871). It came to us as part of a Collection put together in the 1950's and 1960's, which then lay in storage ever since. 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 1845.
Our offered example measures approximately 5 inches long, and may have been intended as a ladies pistol. It features the 1845 Patent "TUBE HAMMER", which is marked:
The pistol has a single 2 1/2 inch steel barrel in approximately .32" Caliber smooth bore. The frame has lovely decorative engraving on both sides, and is marked with serial number 715 on the bottom of the barrel knoxform. It has lovely bag-style grip plates, which are actually made from solid Abalone shell, which are quite attractive. These may be aftermarket, or original, and unfortunately the harder material makes the grips prone to being loose, as they are not able to conform to the shape of the grip frame like wood.
The trigger is protected by a sizable trigger guard, which would help when concealed to prevent accidental firing. Condition is very good, with the expected light staining, as well as some powder burn around the cap lock nipple. Part of the "cup" on the end of the tube hammer hammer is also missing. Mechanically the pistol functions correctly, and is double action only.
Ethan Allen took into his business another brother-in-law, Thomas Wheelock, and 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.
A cute little pocket Pistol, ready for display.
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Caliber: approx .32"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 5 inches
Action: Top Action Percussion double action
Feed System: Single Shot
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- 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.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required
Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.
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