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 / Grinder 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, originally setting up shop in Norwich, CT, which as a major gun making center at the time. They were one of the earliest makers of pistols in the city, and sources usually cite 1842 as when they began production, though some use 1835 as the start date. Ethan Allen, no relation to the Revolutionary Ethan Allen, had applied for various patents, most notably early on for a "TUBE HAMMER" ignition system in 1837, which was renewed in 1845.

In 1847, the company moved the production plant to Worcester, Mass., and this is the type exhibited on our example here, which has some very interesting characteristics! The majority of these were produced in .31 caliber, which resulted in a nice pocket sized pepperbox, however this is the rare LARGE version in .36 caliber! It is a six shot pepperbox, measuring 10" overall with a 5 ½" barrel cluster, which is definitely substantially larger than any .31 caliber example we have had. The frame is also larger, and it is overall more robust in construction, and has a "pistol grip" style two finger trigger guard.

Removal of the grips shows that serial number 8 is stamped on the grip frame, the mainspring, and the inside of the trigger guard. The exterior is quite worn, which has made the foliate engraving on the frame and flash guard a bit faint. It also removed the markings on the flats on the barrel cluster, with only WORCESTER still really legible. However, thankfully the top of the "Tube Hammer" still has a relatively clear ALLEN'S PATENT / 1845 marking visible, so this is definitely an Allen Pepperbox. The company was known by various names over the years, and is usually identified by the markings on the cylinder, however the lack of markings makes it impossible to determine exactly when it was made, or under which partnership.

Ethan Allen later 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.

The Pepperbox is in very good used condition, with a lovely patina of age, fully operational as best we can tell, but NOT sold for firing. Repeated cleaning over the years has given it a lovely matte steel finish, showing evidence of past pitting, now removed. The action functions correctly, with a good cylinder lockup and a crisp dry fire. The tube hammer is in good shape, and functions well. There is a lot of wear and past peppering on the metalwork, which has made the original engraving and etched designs a bit faint. This is definitely an old campaigner, in service for quite some time.

The ivory grips are simply lovely, looking to probably be "marine ivory" or some other variant due to the type of grain they display. Both display a lovely color with age cracking. There is just a bit of chipping on the left side.

This is really a very nice example of a rare LARGE SIZE "Allen Pepperbox" revolver. A lovely example of an interesting stepping stone in 19th Century American firearms, ready to add to your collection!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1855
Caliber: .36"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 5 ½ inches
Overall Length: 10 inches
Action: Double Action Only
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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