Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
resembling the handle of the Smith & Wesson Model 2 Army. First and second models also have mortised front sights while most third models are often fitted with blade type sights.
First Model; identified by obtuse angle, rounded contoured profile at rear of topstrap (where hammer enters frame). Cylinder pins of button head type, secured by screw entering front of frame. Abrupt drop grip profile. Does not include the JULY 3, 1860 date stamping:
5A-070 First Model
| 5A-070 | Values—Good $275 | Fine $950 |
Second model; front of topstrap (over the cylinder) is bevelled (i.e. curved) gradually to meet barrel; rear of strap at right angle to hammer at its point of entry. JULY 3, 1860 date marking usually present on frame:
5A-071 Second Model
| 5A-071 | Values—Good $250 | Fine $850 |
Third model; front of topstrap machined down (narrower) and has concave slope to where it meets barrel. JULY 3, 1860 frame marking usually present. Later specimens have ETHAN ALLEN & CO. barrel markings, with 1858 and 1861 patent dates:
Long 1-1/8" cylinder type (as shown):
5A-072 Third Model
| 5A-072 | Values—Good $225 | Fine $675 |
Short 1" cylinder type:
| 5A-072.5 | Values—Good $200 | Fine $625 |
Allen 22 Sidehammer Rimfire Revolver
22 Sidehammer Rimfire Revolver made by Allen & Wheelock, Ethan Allen & Co. Made c. 1858-1865; total quantity estimated over 1,500.
22 rimfire; 7-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths from 2-1/4" to 4".
All barrels octagonal. Iron frame; a few specimens with brass frames and others with part octagon/part round barrels are known and may be considered quite rare.
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 (on most specimens made after date): JULY 3, 1860. Cylinders on issues one through six are engraved with five circular panels depicting mounted rider, standing Indian (seal of Massachusetts), ship and other military trophy designs.
These distinctive sidehammer pistols feature the typical styling of most Allen & Wheelock revolvers, and the cylinder pin usually enters forward of the barrel lug. Quite a few variations will be found in these models, and eight distinct types are known. The most important of these are listed below. Many lesser variants will affect price slightly.
Quite a few of these side-hammer 22s are encountered in original factory wooden cases (usually with a panel inside bored to accept numerous rounds of rimfire cartridges...and value will at least double, often much more). There is also a very rare type of case made of Gutta-percha (usually black a.k.a. “hard rubber”) fitted especially for this model. The outer cover is designed with high relief scroll work.
Early model; cylinder pin of long, narrow, round shape entering from rear; hammer strikes to right of center; grip frame has comparatively sharp drop. Grooved topstrap for sighting. Scarce:
5A-073
| 5A-073 | Values—Good $275 | Fine $900 |
Second issue; with short button tip cylinder pin entering from front of frame with large retaining screw under forward section of frame, and hammer strikes at center; grooved topstrap for sighting; very scarce:
5A-074
| 5A-074 | Values—Good $300 | Fine $950 |
Third issue; rear entry cylinder pin with short projecting button tip; V-notch rear sight; beveled type frame; considered the scarcest type:
| 5A-075 | Values—Good $375 | Fine $1,000 |
Minor details identify the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh issues, values of which are about equal. Watch for front entry cylinder pin, V-notch rear sight at back section of topstrap, quick drop and later more gradually curving grip profile, and (Seventh Issue) name change in markings to Ethan Allen & Co:
5A-076
| 5A-076 | Values—Good $150 | Fine $500 |
Eighth issue; has bird’s head shape grips, small sideplate, and the Ethan Allen & Co. or E. Allen & Co. markings. It later was made under the Forehand and Wadsworth name:
5A-077
| 5A-077 | Values—Good $175 | Fine $450 |
Allen & Wheelock 32 Center Hammer S/S
32 Center Hammer Single Shot Pistol by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. early 1860s; total quantity between 500 and 1,000.
32 rimfire caliber. Full octagonal or part octagonal/part round barrel, usually of 4" or 5" length; pivots to the right for loading and found both with and without automatic ejection.
Walnut grips. Blued or nickel plated finish.
Serial (batch) numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK/WORCESTER, MASS.
An unusual deringer type pistol, the frame