Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
or agents’ markings on Allen pepperboxes is an important feature affecting value. Such markings may be considered scarce and often appear on a variety of types of Allens and can increase their prices from a minimum of 20 percent to possibly 100 percent or more, depending on the marking and the model of pepperbox. Certain agents’ markings are more likely to be seen than others, e.g., J. G. Bolen, or A. W. Spies & Company, while others are considered quite scarce, e.g., Young, Smith & Company, Lane & Read, Tryon, and Hyde & Goodrich; still others may be considered rare, such as J. Eaton, Meade & Adriance, Canfield Bros., S. Sutherland, Wolfe & Gillespie, P. Evans and no doubt some that have yet to be recorded! In most cases where agents’ names appear, some of the other standard markings (such as the Norwich or Worcester address) or even the Allen company name will be omitted and normally only the ALLEN’S PATENT markings will appear on the hammer. The reader should bear in mind, as previously stated, that contradictions often occur.
Grafton Production Pepperboxes
Grafton-made pepperboxes were not only Allen’s first production, but are among the scarcest for the collector and may generally be regarded as the most valuable. It is within this group that collectors have singled out the earliest, and one of the smallest of Allen’s pocket sizes to apply the quaint name “The Dainty Grafton.” Two other sizes of Grafton-made pieces are found and are usually referred to as the “standard” and the “dragoon.” These early Allens are easily distinguished by both their “Grafton, Mass.” address markings and the very sharp angle at which the grip is set to the frame; the so-called “quick drop.” They usually are also seen with the very tiny die-stamp markings (the so-called No. 1 die—1-1/2 millimeters in letter height), considerably smaller than on the later Norwich and Worcester production arms. A nuance worth investigating for the advanced collector is the absence and later introduction of the internal pitman and ratchet mechanism which is a distinguishing feature of variations within the Grafton line.
“DAINTY” OR SMALL POCKET SIZE. The first pepperbox manufactured by Allen. Six-shot. 28 caliber. Removable, numbered nipples. Barrel lengths vary; normally of approximately 2-3/4" to 3". Most specimens with engraved frame bearing simple, leaf-like designs with some specimens plain, unengraved. Often marked ALLEN’S PATENT on left sideplate in very tiny block letters, and on left side of hammer ALLEN & THURBER/GRAFTON, MASS. also in tiny No. 1 die size. Made without nipple shield:
5A-012
| 5A-012 | Values—Good $2,000 | Fine $6,000 |
STANDARD OR MEDIUM SIZE. Barrel lengths vary, approximately 3" to 5". Six-shot. 31 caliber.
Early Type. Removable, numbered nipples; fluted barrel ribs; wide backstrap (over 1/2" width). Frame either plain or with very simple broad leaf hand-engraved designs; left side of frame often found (but not always) with tiny ALLEN’S PATENT markings. Hammer marked ALLEN & THURBER/GRAFTON, MASS. in tiny letters:
| 5A-013 | Values—Good $1,100 | Fine $3,250 |
Second Type. Distinguished by first use of integral nipples; wide backstrap (over 1/2" width), hammer markings identical to above, but not found with sideplate markings; usually bears simple engraved frame designs; fluted barrel ribs. There are known specimens with full hexagonal shaped barrels which are considered very rare and will command premium values:
5A-014
| 5A-014 | Values—Good $1,100 | Fine $3,000 |
Third or Late Type. Similar to above. Its most easily identifiable feature is the narrow backstrap (about 5/16" width). It is on this model that Allen first used a nipple shield, although not all specimens are found with this feature. Top of hammer marked in tiny letters ALLEN’S PATENT. Side of hammer marked ALLEN & THURBER/GRAFTON, MASS. Full hexagonal barrels also known on this type but are considered quite rare and will bring premium values:
| 5A-015 | Values—Good $875 | Fine $2,750 |
DRAGOON SIZE. Large frame. Six-shot. 36 caliber. Barrel lengths approximately 5-1/2" to 6". All variations have wide backstrap. All made without nipple shield and all have fluted barrel ribs.
Early First Type. Plain, unengraved frame; unmarked sideplate; removable numbered nipples; fluted barrel ribs; side of hammer marked ALLEN & THURBER/GRAFTON, MASS. in tiny letters (No. 1 die) and on top of hammer, ALLEN’S PATENT:
| 5A-016 | Values—Good $1,750 | Fine $4,000 |
Second Type. Simple engraved frame designs; removable numbered nipples; same markings as above. Internal change showing use of the pitman and ratchet:
| 5A-017 | Values—Good $1,500 | Fine $3,750 |
Third Type. Similar to above. Quickly distinguished by its integral/fixed nipples. Also shows use of the pitman and ratchet:
5A-018
| 5A-018 | Values—Good $1,400 | Fine $3,500 |
Fourth or Last Type. Similar to above. Quickly identified by its hand engraved nipple shield:
| 5A-018.5 | Values—Good $1,400 | Fine $3,500 |
Norwich Production Pepperboxes
Similar in style to the earlier Grafton pepperboxes, particularly in the sharp angle where the handle joins the frame and the use of long, narrow, oval shaped German silver inlays (spangles) on grips. The earliest Norwich specimens have the so-called “quick drop” grip with this angular juncture becoming less severe in later Norwich production running the gamut to the so-called “slow drop” and full and semi “dog leg” grips. Such nuances are often very important and are felt by some advanced collectors to be classified as a distinct category of the Norwich line, but this is felt beyond the scope of categorization of this work.
All Norwich pepperboxes are six-shot. The earliest Norwich pepperboxes have the so-called No. 1 die (tiny 1-1/2 millimeter letter height) markings on the top of hammer and matching ALLEN & THURBER/NORWICH C-Ton side of the hammer. It is quite firmly believed that