Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
a few thousand.
32, 36, and 44 calibers (the latter rare). Barrel lengths from about 3 to 12 inches; half round/half octagon. Single action mechanism, the hammer offset slightly to the right to allow for sighting.
Walnut grips. Blued finish.
Serial (batch) numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN AND THURBER, ALLEN THURBER & CO., or ALLEN & WHEELOCK.
An advantage of this pistol was the quite simple action, large caliber, and generally long barrel length. Numerous variations exist in this type. The very long barrels usually bring higher values:
5A-008
| 5A-008 | Values—Good $175 | Fine $500 |
Allen & Thurber Double Barrel Single Trigger
Double Barrel Single Trigger Pistol made by Allen & Thurber, Allen Thurber & Co., Allen & Wheelock. Made c. 1850s; total quantity estimated from 500 to 1,000.
34 and 36 caliber. Double (side-by-side) barrels, in length from 3" to 6" (longer length worth premium). Double hammers with single trigger.
Walnut grips. Blued finish. Ramrods sometimes present.
Serial (batch) numbered. Flute between barrels may be marked ALLEN & THURBER, ALLEN THURBER & CO.or ALLEN & WHEELOCK. Unmarked specimens may be encountered.
An attempt to produce a pocket pistol of increased (two shot) firepower, the mechanism has the unique feature of a single trigger which releases both hammers individually (on two separate pulls) when both are cocked simultaneously. Earliest models have tension screws on inside gripstrap; these screws discontinued on later production.
Identical pistols marked BRUCE & DAVIS and SPALDING & FISHER are believed to be of Allen & Thurber manufacture (most likely made by them on order and marked with trade names). No documentary evidence has been found to substantiate this:
5A-009
| 5A-009 | Values—Good $400 | Fine $900 |
Allen Thurber & Co. Target Pistol
Target Pistol with Attachable Stock made by Allen Thurber & Co. Made c. early 1850s in limited quantity.
31 and 36 caliber. Barrel lengths of about 11" to 16" octagonal; or part octagon/part round (often on A& W-marked specimens). Wooden ramrod beneath barrel. German silver and iron mountings. Deluxe engraving on major parts, excepting barrel.
Serial numbered. Marked on barrel ALLEN THURBER & Co./WORCESTER/CAST STEEL. Specimens known marked also ALLEN & THURBER and ALLEN & WHEELOCK. Values same.
These sophisticated arms featured a high standard of craftsmanship, special sights (including peep, and tube and ball), false muzzles and bullet starters, and set triggers. They were apparently standard cased with a full array of accessories. Considered as scarce and a prized specimen for an Allen collection, or for the collector of New England arms.
The attachable stock has fancy patchbox on right side and oval escutcheon plate inlaid on left side.
Values are for complete gun with false muzzle and attachable stock. Cased outfits, as often encountered, are valued considerably higher, with both the condition of the case and the inclusion of accessories affecting such increased values. The absence of the false muzzle detracts considerably from the value and desirability of most specimens (if they show provisions for one originally) as does the absence of the stock:
5A-010
| 5A-010 | Values—Good $2,750 | Fine $8,500 |
Pistol only, without attachable stock:
| 5A-010.5 | Values—Good $900 | Fine $3,000 |
Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Pistol
Center Hammer Straight Line Percussion Pistol made by Allen & Wheelock, a.k.a. “In-Line” or “Straight Away” (as nipple is ‘in line with the barrel and bore). Made c. 1858 to 1865; total quantity about 500.
31 to 38 caliber. Single shot. Barrel lengths from 3" to 6"; variations in barrels are encountered with some full octagon or full round; others part round, part octagon. The long barrel length will usually bring a slightly higher value. Iron frame standard; brass frame known but very rare.
Walnut grips.
Serial (batch) numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK...usual markings most often seen on octagon barrels; round barrels seldom encountered with markings.This deringer type arm was one of the simplest of all Allen firearms. The frame was one piece, and the mechanism was an uncomplicated single action; the barrels were occasionally surplus revolver barrels from other Allen models on which production had ceased. A variant of the handle shape is also encountered with a more evenly arched profile versus earlier “quick drop” profile:
5A-011
| 5A-011 | Values—Good $250 | Fine $600 |
ALLEN PEPPERBOXES
Among the most popular and best selling handguns of their day, the Allen pepperboxes were the first American double action revolving arms. The long period of their manufacture from the 1830s to the early 1860s attests to their wide popularity and commercial success. For a decade or more after the introduction of Sam Colt’s revolver, the Allen pepperbox enjoyed far wider sales and notoriety as a handgun; contemporary accounts usually attest to that fact. The Allen pepperbox found wide acceptance among a general cross section of the American public as a reliable and inexpensive weapon of defense. Quite a few of them were sold to emigrants heading west and not a few found their way to California with the 49ers, turning up in the gold regions of that fast burgeoning area. They were also highly popular, primarily in larger dragoon sizes, with military men in both federal and state militia service, and are known to have seen campaign use in the Seminole Wars of Florida, and in the Mexican and Civil Wars. A number of specimens appear in fine collections with inscriptions on them directly associating them to military usage and ownership.
More types and variations occur within the Allen pepperboxes than any other Allen product, and very likely any other model of gun by any other