ETHAN ALLEN AND VARIANTS

No other 19th-century American firm produced a wider variety of firearms than did Ethan Allen & subsidiaries. In 1843, Ethan Allen invented an engraving machine to do rolled scroll. During 1854, Thomas Wheelock (Allen's brother-in-law) joined Allen & Thurber, and the new company name became Allen, Thurber & Co. New guns were marked accordingly. On June 14, 1854, the Allen, Thurber & Co. factory burnt to the ground. A new factory was built by the end of the year. On Jan. 2, 1856, Charles Thurber retired and sold his shares to Ethan Allen for $6,500. The firm changed its name to Allen & Wheelock. On May 21, 1864, Thomas Wheelock died at the age 51 of apoplexy. During 1865, a new company was formed, called E. Allen & Co. (guns were marked E. Allen & Co.). The company consisted of Ethan Allen and two of his sons-in-law, Henry Wadsworth and Sullivan Forehand. On Jan. 7, 1871, Ethan Allen passed away. The new company name became Forehand & Wadsworth. During 1890, Henry Wadsworth passed away and the company name changed again to Forehand Arms Co. The name remained after Sullivan Forehand's death in 1898, until his heirs eventually sold to Hopkins & Allen during 1902.
Manufacturer/trademark originally located in Grafton, MA. Ethan Allen started many plants to keep up with expanding business after 1832. He invented the underhammer pocket gun in 1836.
Listed below is a chronological order of the firms constituting the family dynasty founded by Ethan Allen.
E. Allen - Grafton, MA 1832-1837
Allen & Thurber - Grafton, MA 1837-1842
Allen & Thurber - Norwich, CT 1842-1847
Allen & Thurber - Worcester, MA 1847-1854
Allen, Thurber, & Co. - Worcester, MA 1854-1856
Allen & Wheelock - Worcester, MA 1856-1865
E. Allen & Co. - Worcester, MA 1865-1871
Forehand & Wadsworth - Worcester, MA 1871-1890
Forehand Arms Co. - Worcester, MA 1890-1902

ETHAN ALLEN AND VARIANTS Antiques Models

VEST POCKET .22 DERRINGER Image

VEST POCKET .22 DERRINGER

.22 rimfire cal., single action, single shot, brass frame finished bright, blued, 2 in. part octagon/part round side pivoting barrel marked "ALLEN & CO. MAKERS", spur trigger, walnut bird's head grip, no extractor. Mfg. by E....

ALLEN & THURBER BAR HAMMER PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER BAR HAMMER PISTOL

.28-.36 cals., double action, single shot, breech loader, with centrally mounted bar hammer marked "ALLEN & THURBER/GRAFTON MASS.", 2-10 in. part octagon/part round, screw off barrel marked "ALLEN'S PATENT/CAST STEEL"...

.22 SINGLE SHOT PISTOL Image

.22 SINGLE SHOT PISTOL

.22 rimfire cal., single action, single shot, central hammer, round (early mfg.) or flat sided, brass or iron frame, 2-5 1/2 in. side pivoting, full octagon (early mfg.) or part octagon/part round barrel marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK/WO...

ALLEN & WHEELOCK CENTER HAMMER ARMY MODEL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK CENTER HAMMER ARMY MODEL

.44 cal., single action, center hammer, solid frame, 6 shot unfluted rebated cylinder, base pin inserted from front of frame, 7 1/2 in. part octagon/part round barrel marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER MASS. U.S. ALLEN'S PT'S JAN....

SIDEHAMMER .22 RIMFIRE MODEL Image

SIDEHAMMER .22 RIMFIRE MODEL

.22 rimfire cal., single action, sidehammer, solid iron frame, 7 shot unfluted cylinder, 2 1/4-4 in. octagon barrel marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S./ALLEN’S PATENTS SEPT. 7, NOV. 9, 1858” (First-Sixth Issues) or "ETHA...

CENTER HAMMER SS MUZZLELOADING RIFLE Image

CENTER HAMMER SS MUZZLELOADING RIFLE

.44 and various other cals., also mfg. as a shotgun, long frame extends to end of stock wrist, 36 in. and various other lengths, round barrel octagon at breech, marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK", brown finish, iron mountings, walnut b...

DROP BREECH RIMFIRE RIFLE Image

DROP BREECH RIMFIRE RIFLE

.22 through .44 rimfire cal., single shot falling block, brass (rare) or iron frame in two sizes, .22-.40 cal. standard frame, .42-44 cal. large frame, flat or round sides, various length part octagon/part round barrels with 23-28 in. avera...

PUNT/MARKET HUNTER GUN Image

PUNT/MARKET HUNTER GUN

4 ga., very large (approx. 7 1/4 in. long) lockplate marked "ALLEN THURBER & CO/WORCESTER" also on barrel, single shot muzzleloader, 35 in. part octagon/part round barrel, wood forearm, wood halfstock with shotgun style butt....

SxS "HINGED BREECH" SHOTGUN Image

SxS "HINGED BREECH" SHOTGUN

8, 10, or 12 ga., double barrel breech loader, breech exposed by hinged trapdoor fitted with locking lever, marked "ETHAN ALLEN & CO. WORCESTER, MASS." on breech, approx. 28 in. barrels marked "FINE LAMINATED STEEL",...

SIDEHAMMER  SS MUZZLELOADING RIFLE Image

SIDEHAMMER SS MUZZLELOADING RIFLE

.38 and various other cals., case hardened iron long frame which extends to end of stock wrist, 28-32 in. browned octagon barrels, walnut buttstock with crescent or shotgun style buttplate and sometimes patchbox, no forearm, wood ramrod, on...

LIPFIRE REVOLVING RIFLE Image

LIPFIRE REVOLVING RIFLE

.44 cal., lipfire, revolving single action, 6 shot round cylinder, 26-28 in. round barrel with octagon breech area, open sights, combination trigger guard which operates ejector rod for spent rounds, iron mountings, blue barrel and cylinder...

SIDEHAMMER .32 RIMFIRE  MODEL Image

SIDEHAMMER .32 RIMFIRE MODEL

.32 rimfire cal., single action, sidehammer, solid brass (rare) or iron frame marked "JULY 3, 1860" (Second and Third Issues), 6 shot unfluted cylinder, 2 7/8-5 in. octagon barrel marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S....

ALLEN & WHEELOCK CENTER HAMMER NAVY MODEL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK CENTER HAMMER NAVY MODEL

.36 cal., single action, solid frame, 6 shot unfluted rebated cylinder, base pin inserted from front of frame, 5, 6, 7 1/2, or 8 in. octagon barrel marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK WORCESTER, MASS. U.S./ALLEN’S PT’S. JAN. 13, DEC. 15, 1857”, bl...

ALLEN & WHEELOCK .32 SINGLE SHOT PISTOL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK .32 SINGLE SHOT PISTOL

.32 cal., rimfire, single action, single shot, central hammer, round iron frame, 4 or 5 in. side pivoting, full octagon (early mfg.) or part octagon/part round barrel marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK/WORCESTER, MASS", spur trigger, bl...

VEST POCKET .32 DERRINGER Image

VEST POCKET .32 DERRINGER

.32 rimfire cal., single shot, single action, brass (bright) or iron frame, 2, 3 1/2, 4, or 6 in. part octagon/part round side pivoting barrel, marked "E. ALLEN & CO WORCHESTER, MASS./ALLEN'S PAT MCH. 7, 1865", spur trigger, b...

ALLEN & THURBER CENTER HAMMER PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER CENTER HAMMER PISTOL

.32, .36, or .44 cal., single shot, single action, muzzleloader, 3-12 in. part octagon/part round barrel marked "ALLEN AND THURBER", "ALLEN THURBER & CO.", or "ALLEN & WHEELOCK", blue finish, walnut bag...

ALLEN & THURBER DOUBLE BARREL PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER DOUBLE BARREL PISTOL

.34 or .36 cals., SxS muzzleloader, single action, 3-6 in. round barrels marked "ALLEN AND THURBER", "ALLEN THURBER & CO.", or "ALLEN & WHEELOCK", single trigger, blue finish, walnut bag type grip, two...

VEST POCKET .41 DERRINGER Image

VEST POCKET .41 DERRINGER

.41 rimfire cal., single shot, single action, 2 1/2-2 7/8 in. side pivoting part octagon/part round (early mfg.) or full octagon barrel marked "E. ALLEN & CO WORCHESTER, MASS./ALLEN'S PAT MCH. 7, 1865", blade front sights, spu...

GRAFTON DRAGOON LARGE SIZE PEPPERBOX Image

GRAFTON DRAGOON LARGE SIZE PEPPERBOX

.36 cal., double action, muzzleloader, large size frame with wide backstrap, 6 shot, 5 1/2-6 in. barrel cluster, fluted barrel ribs, no sights, curved trigger with oval guard, wood bag type grips, near vertical grip angle, removable (First...

SIDEHAMMER SS BREECH LOADING RIFLE Image

SIDEHAMMER SS BREECH LOADING RIFLE

.36-.50 cal., lockplate marked "AT & CO.", often called "faucet" or "tap" breech since operating lever resembles water faucet, part octagon/part round brown barrel of various lengths marked “ALLEN & WHE...

ALLEN & THURBER SIDEHAMMER TARGET PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER SIDEHAMMER TARGET PISTOL

.34, .41, or .45 cal., single action, single shot breech loader, 6-12 in. octagon (early mfg.) or part octagon/part round barrel marked "ALLEN AND THURBER, WORCESTER" or "ALLEN THURBER & CO.", open sights, trigger gu...

NORWICH MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX, 1837 PATENT Image

NORWICH MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX, 1837 PATENT

.31 cal., muzzleloader, double action, 6 shot, 3-5 in. barrel cluster, fluted or flat barrel ribs, marked "PATENTED CAST STEEL", no sights, conventional curved trigger with oval trigger guard, or ring trigger, scroll engraved fram...

COMBINATION MUZZLELOADING RIFLE-SHOTGUN Image

COMBINATION MUZZLELOADING RIFLE-SHOTGUN

.38 cal. and 12 ga. (possibly standard) with various other cals./gauges, SxS or O/U rifle and shotgun muzzleloader, long iron frame extends to end of stock wrist, 28-34 in. barrels, barrel marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK", double tri...

NORWICH MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX, 1845 PATENT Image

NORWICH MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX, 1845 PATENT

.31 cal., muzzleloader, double action, 6 shot, 3-5 in. barrel cluster, fluted or flat barrel ribs, marked "PATENTED CAST STEEL", no sights, conventional curved trigger with oval trigger guard, or ring trigger, scroll engraved fram...

PERCUSSION REVOLVING RIFLE Image

PERCUSSION REVOLVING RIFLE

.44 cal., revolving single action, 6 shot round cylinder, 26-28 in. round barrel with octagon breech area, open sights, combination trigger guard which operates rammer, iron mountings, blue barrel and cylinder, case hardened frame, hammer,...

ALLEN & THURBER TUBE HAMMER PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER TUBE HAMMER PISTOL

small cal., double action, single shot muzzleloader, iron frame marked "ALLEN'S PATENT", short part octagon/part round barrel marked "P.M./E.A. 1937", no sights, large oval trigger guard, walnut bag type grip, some model...

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER BELT MODEL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER BELT MODEL

.28 or .31 cal., single action, solid frame with cylinder base pin inserted from rear, 5 shot round cylinder with roll engraved forest scene with deer, 3-6 in. octagon barrel, marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK/ALLEN'S PATENT JAN.13, 1857" (...

ALLEN & THURBER & CO. TARGET PISTOL Image

ALLEN & THURBER & CO. TARGET PISTOL

.31 or .36 cal., single shot single action muzzleloader, 11-16 in. heavy octagon barrel marked "ALLEN THURBER & CO./WORCESTER/CAST STEEL", also known marked "ALLEN & THURBER/WORCESTER/CAST STEEL", and "ALLEN...

WORCESTER POCKET SIZE PEPPERBOX Image

WORCESTER POCKET SIZE PEPPERBOX

.25, .28, .31, or .34 cal., muzzleloader, double action, external bar hammer, 4 (.34 cal. only), 5, or 6 shot, 2 1/2-4 in. barrel cluster, fluted barrels, with or w/o engraved nipple shield, no sights, conventional trigger with oval guard,...

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER POCKET MODEL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER POCKET MODEL

.28 cal., single action, solid frame with cylinder base pin inserted from rear, 5 shot round cylinder with roll engraved forest scene with deer, 2-5 in. octagon barrel, marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK/ALLEN'S PATENT JAN.13, 1857" (early m...

WORCESTER MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX Image

WORCESTER MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX

.31 cal., muzzleloader double action with bar hammer, or single action with shotgun style hammer, 5 or 6 shot, 3-5 in. barrel cluster, ribbed barrels, engraved nipple shield, no sights, conventional trigger only, scroll engraved frame, wood...

POCKET RIFLE-FIRST MODEL Image

POCKET RIFLE-FIRST MODEL

.31, .32, .34, or .44 cal., single shot, underhammer, flat sided scroll engraved frame marked "E. ALLEN/GRAFTON/MASS" and "POCKET RIFLE/CAST STEEL/WARRANTED", 5 1/8-9 in. part octagon/part round barrel, no trigger guard,...

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER NAVY MODEL Image

ALLEN & WHEELOCK SIDEHAMMER NAVY MODEL

.36 cal., single action, side hammer, solid frame, 6 shot unfluted blued cylinder with engraved scene of animals in a forest, 5 1/2-8 in. octagon blued barrel marked “ALLEN & WHEELOCK/ALLEN'S PATENT JAN.13, 1857" (early mfg.) or “A...

WORCESTER DRAGOON SIZE PEPPERBOX Image

WORCESTER DRAGOON SIZE PEPPERBOX

.36 cal., muzzleloader double action with bar hammer, 6 shot, 6 in. barrel cluster, ribbed or fluted barrels, engraved nipple shield, no sights, conventional trigger with oval guard (early mfg.) or oval guard w/finger spur, scroll engraved...

POCKET RIFLE-SECOND MODEL Image

POCKET RIFLE-SECOND MODEL

.31, .32, .34, or .44 cal., single shot underhammer, round scroll engraved frame marked "E.ALLEN GRAFTON MASS. POCKET RIFLE CAST STEEL WARRANTED", 5 1/8-9 in. part octagon/part round barrel, no trigger guard, walnut bag type grips...