Guns International #: 101377411
Seller's Inventory #: 7228

Category - Antique Pepperbox - Antique Revolvers - Percussion

Category
Antique Pepperbox
Antique Revolvers - Percussion

RARE Antique ALLEN & WHEELOCK Pepperbox Revolver

Description:

RARE Antique ALLEN & WHEELOCK Pepperbox Revolver

1 of About 1,000 Transitional Pepperbox Revolvers

Here we present an antique Allen & Wheelock Transitional Pepperbox Revolver in .31 caliber, made circa 1858 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ethan Allen was a brilliant inventor and businessman with many innovations to his name and just about as many business partners. His most notable work in firearms began in the late 1830s with his patent for a double action percussion revolver that was called a “pepperbox” due to its proximate appearance to a pepper mill. Instead of a single barrel with a revolving cylinder, pepperboxes were characterized by a barrel cluster, basically a cylindrical chunk of steel with bores all the way around the muzzle flat that acted as both chamber and barrel. While these were the rage with the 49ers going out to California, Samuel Colt was in development of his keystone self-defense revolver, the 1849 Pocket. Colt’s revolver, though not double action, benefitted from a slimmer profile and lighter overall weight.

This Allen & Wheelock Revolver represents the transition from the chunkier pepperbox to the more modern single barreled revolver. This is emphasized by the aesthetic and ergonomic design, patent technology, and the engraving. This revolver retained the pepperbox’s double action with a spurless bar hammer and bag shaped grip. The cylinder also still has the percussion nipples on the outside circumference. The primary changes included the barrel and solid top strap. The top strap is marked “ALLEN&WHEELOCK”. The hammer is marked “PATENTED APRIL 16.1845”, the same patent employed for the pepperbox revolvers. The cylinder bears a finely roll engraved forest scene complete with a dog chasing a stag amidst the trees with a wolf and a couple does, very similar to their later revolvers. The frame is engraved with attractive scrolls, just like those found on the previous pepperboxes. Just like the pepperboxes there is no front or rear sight. It was practically a point and shoot type of weapon. The grips are antique ivory. This one has serial or batch number 3.

The overall condition is very good. The metal surfaces have an even, gray-brown patina. The markings are clear. The cylinder scene is near fine. The numbers match. The ivory grips are smooth and solid with a hairline crack on the right panel that is stable and looks worse than it actually is. The bore is very good, clean with sharp rifling. The action is excellent, strong and robust. Here is a very neat piece of firearms history. If you enjoy collecting Allen’s Pepperboxes, this Transitional Revolver is for you!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3 inches.

Caliber: .31 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$1550

#7228

SOLD

Antique: Yes