Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
First Model. Loading gate hinged at top.
Narrow grip:
5A-063
| 5A-063 | Values—Good $1,100 | Fine $3,750 |
Flared grip:
| 5A-064 | Values—Good $1,400 | Fine $5,000 |
Second Model. Loading gate hinged at bottom.
Flared grip:
| 5A-065 | Values—Good $950 | Fine $3,500 |
Narrow grip:
| 5A-066 | Values—Good $875 | Fine $3,000 |
Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Lipfire Navy
Navy Model Center Hammer Lipfire Revolver, a.k.a.“3rd Model Lipfire,” by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. early 1860s; total quantity about 500.
36 lipfire. 6-shot round cylinder with notches for cartridge lips at rear wall. 8" octagonal barrel; also made in 4", 5", and 6" lengths (7-1/2" reported).
Walnut grips. Blued finish, with casehardened hammer and trigger guard.
Serial (batch) numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S./ALLEN’S PATENTS SEPT. 7, NOV. 9, 1858.
As with the Army Model Lipfire revolver, the Navy type was discontinued due to infringement pressure from Smith & Wesson. Collectors should not confuse the lipfires with conversions; in fact it appears that the lipfires predated Allen & Wheelock’s production of the percussion Center Hammer Army and Navy Revolvers. Although no government contracts were given for this model, it is considered by collectors as a martial piece. Variations as found in the Army Model have not been encountered on this model:
5A-067
| 5A-067 | Values—Good $750 | Fine $2,250 |
Allen & Wheelock Sidehammer Lipfire Pocket
Pocket Model Sidehammer Lipfire Revolver, (former term 1st Model Lipfire disused), by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. early 1860s; total quantity estimated at several hundred.
32 lipfire. 6-shot round cylinder with notches for cartridge lips at rear wall. Barrel lengths of 4", 5", and 6"; octagonal. Cylinder pin entering frame from front section of the barrel lug. Loading gate on frame is locked by long ratchet type (rack and pinion) loading lever unit affixed to left side of barrel just ahead of the cylinder. Variations have been noted in the plate on left side of breech of barrel covering the rack and pinion; early models have noticeable angular shape to right side and will bring a premium value; later, commonly encountered specimens, are evenly rectangular.
Serial numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S./ALLEN’S PATENTS SEPT. 7, NOV. 9, 1858, JULY 3, 1860. Specimens also known and worth premium bearing ETHAN ALLEN & CO. markings.
This rather unusual design featured the spur trigger combined with the sidehammer associated with percussion Allen & Wheelocks, and the cylinder, barrel lug, and cylinder pin arrangement associated with the Center Hammer percussion and lipfire models. This model was made in lipfire only, and is not to be confused with conversions:
5A-068
| 5A-068 | Values—Good $450 | Fine $1,750 |
Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Lipfire Pocket Revolver
Pocket Model Center Hammer Lipfire Revolver, a.k.a.,“4th Model Lipfire,” by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. 1861-1863. Total quantity estimated less than 200.
25 caliber lipfire. 7-shot round cylinder with notches for cartridge lips at rear. Octagon 3" barrel. Easily distinguished by its solid frame, spur trigger contours and the small circular sideplate on left frame with the retaining screw off-center. Although one known specimen bears Allen & Wheelock markings (very rare), this model is normal and correct with the complete absence of makers markings:
5A-069
| 5A-069 | Values—Good $375 | Fine $1,150 |
COMMENTARY ABOUT A& W LIPFIRE REVOLVERS: Quite a few were converted after manufacture to accept rimfire (and in some instances, centerfire) cartridges. Alterations possible by A& W, but never proven; generally assumed such conversions were accomplished by parties unknown. Details about the various methods of conversion are best read in Ethan Allen and A& W: Their Guns by P. Henry (q.v.). Decidedly collectible,; their values usually lessened by 25 percent, often greater.
Allen 32 Sidehammer Rimfire Revolver
32 Sidehammer Rimfire Revolver by Allen & Wheelock and Ethan Allen & Co. Made c. 1859-1862; total quantity estimated over 1,000.
32 rimfire (with 6-shot cylinder). Barrel lengths from 2-7/8" to 5"; all barrels octagonal. Iron frame standard. A few specimens with brass frames are known and may be considered rare. It is believed they are to be found only on the Third Model.
Walnut grips. Blued finish.
Serial (batch) numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S./ALLEN’S PATENTS SEPT. 7, NOV. 9, 1858. On the frame of most specimens made after this date: JULY 3, 1860. Cylinder scene of dogs chasing rabbit (often very lightly rolled) is observed on some, but not all specimens; usually encountered on earlier production only.
As with the 22 caliber Sidehammer series, the styling is typical of most Allen & Wheelock revolvers, and the cylinder pin usually enters from forward of the barrel lug. A number of variations will be found (classified into at least eight distinct types), but three basic variants are significant in terms of pricing. Some lesser details will affect price slightly. First and second models have the so-called “quick drop” shape to handle (see illustration) while the handle of third model noticeably