Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
5A-095
| 5A-095 | Values—Good $750 | Fine $3,500 |
Allen Thurber & Co. Other Rifles and Shotguns
Other Allen Thurber & Co. Rifles and Shotguns.
An Allen Thurber & Co. advertisement of c. 1854-1856 notes the company was manufacturing (among other products) “Double Rifles, Double Rifle and Shot, Single and Double Shot Guns.” The collector may expect therefore to locate some specimens within those categories not covered in the present volume. Specimens of percussion single barrel and side by side double barrel shotguns are illustrated in the Mouillesseaux and Henry books, but at present very little data is available. An approximate value guide can be gained by consideration of figures given for more common types, bearing in mind that usually single barrel percussion shotguns were a mass market item, and thus generally of comparatively low value.
As with other Allen rifles and shotguns, these types may be found in various qualities, grades of workmanship and extra embellishments, all of which will affect values upwards depending on their importance to the gun. Values reflected below are for plainest grades.
Side lock double barrel 12 gauge percussion shotgun: 26" damascus barrels. Broad scroll engraving on locks and hammers. Each lock marked E. ALLEN & CO. MAKERS. One-piece walnut stock with checkered wrist. Also made in 16 gauge and worth small premium:
5A-096
| 5A-096 | Values—Good $400 | Fine $1,250 |
Iron frame, sidehammer double barrel 10 gauge and 12 gauge percussion shotgun: Rounded iron frame with protruding square take down bolt (requires wrench) on underside. 30" and 32" damascus barrels. Marked on center rib of barrels ALLEN & WHEELOCK/WORCESTERor ALLEN & THURBER/WORCESTER. Two-piece walnut stock and forend:
5A-097
| 5A-097 | Values—Good $350 | Fine $1,000 |
Allen Thurber & Co. Whaling Gun
Large, heavy percussion, muzzle-loading whaling gun for shoulder firing whale harpoon or an explosive whale bomb lance (the latter most often used.) c. 1854-1856. Quantity unknown; extremely rare.
Known recorded specimens with 1-1/8" bore; thick wall 22" part octagon/round barrel (outside diameter at muzzle 2"); iron frame with side hammer; 38" overall; weight 24 pounds. Walnut stock; iron buttplate. No provision made for ramrod. Marked on barrel ALLEN THURBER & CO / WORCESTER. and NO. 2 / CAST STEEL.
Further research may reveal an intriguing story. The most widely made and used of this style bomb lance guns were those of C. C. Brand of Norwich, Conn., whose whaling guns are unmarked (q.v.). His best known has an heavy, iron, skeleton stock cast integral with the frame; the earliest attributed to him has a walnut stock and closely similar (with but minor variation) to ALLEN’S WHALING GUN(etc.) WITH IMPROVEMENTS BY C.C. BRAND. The use of that name may be mere coincidence as it refers to Oliver Allen of Norwich, Conn. inventor of a bomb lance in 1846, believed to have first designed the gun.
C.C. Brand guns were sold in three sizes, the “No. 1” with 7/8" bore; “No. 2” 1-1/8" bore; “No. 3” 1-1/4" bore; weights varying accordingly. Thus far only the No.2 size has been recorded for the ALLEN THURBER & CO.marked gun:
5A-097.3
| 5A-097.3 | Values—Good $4,500 | Fine $7,500 |
Allen Thurber & Co. Punt or Market Hunter’s Gun
Massive size, percussion, muzzle-loading half stock fowling piece made by Allen Thurber & Co. c.1854-1856. Quantity unknown but would have been extremely limited. Very rare.
Known, recorded specimen 4 gauge; 35" part octagon/round barrel. Unique, massive 7-1/4" lockplate (illus. shows standard lock next to gun for comparison); weight 18 lbs. Marked on both the barrel and lock ALLEN THURBER & CO / WORCESTER:
5A-097.5
| 5A-097.5 | Values—Good $1,750 | Fine $4,000 |
Allen Drop Breech Rimfire Rifle
Drop Breech Single-Shot Rimfire Rifle (a.k.a. “Falling Block Rifle”) by Allen & Wheelock, Ethan Allen & Co. Made c. 1860-1870s; total quantity estimated at 1,500 - 2,000.
Variety of rimfire calibers 22 through 44 (a number of these viewed with later conversions to centerfire). Both the smallest and largest calibers scarcer and usually bring premium values. Varying length barrels (usually part octagon/part round) 23 to 28 inches average; others known. Iron frame standard (brass frames extremely rare and worth substantial premium). Two frame sizes; largest calibers (usually 42 and 44 RF on larger frame). Sides of frames observed with flat or rounded configurations. Some specimens of both size frames were fitted with a simple take-down feature whereby barrel could be easily separated from frame and removed (by a small pin easily knocked out on frame; larger frames on later production with a tapered square-headed screw). Trigger guard acts as lever to open breech and eject cartridge; hammer cocked manually. Rear sight lever mounted on left side of frame with lever to manually elevate or lower; graduated numeral markings to pre-set. Sights on late manufacture replace with leaf type.
Iron mountings; blued barrel; case hardened frame, hammer and trigger guard.
Walnut buttstock and forend observed with many variations; some fitted with sling swivels and metal forend caps.
Serial numbered. Barrel marking: ALLEN & WHEELOCK/ALLEN’S PAT. SEPT. 18, 1860; or E. ALLEN & CO./WORCESTER MASS/ALLEN’S PATENT. SEPT. 18, 1860.
The hammer profile and trigger guard operation show the distinct styling of certain Allen & Wheelock arms. Short barreled, large caliber specimens with sling swivels are often considered by collectors as a secondary martial type carbine, and bring a slightly higher value as do takedown models. Quite a few of this type are found with the FOREHAND & WADSWORTH markings; prices will be approximately the same as Allen marked specimens. This well-known Allen rifle is encountered in many different qualities and grades including engraved specimens, fancy wood and checkering; varying buttplates, etc. Values adjusted upwards depending on the embellishments and quality of engraving.