THE GUN THAT REALLY WON THE (EARLY) WEST: ALLEN AND THURBER STANDARD OR MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX

THE GUN THAT REALLY WON THE (EARLY) WEST: ALLEN AND THURBER STANDARD OR MEDIUM SIZE PEPPERBOX

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$695.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2025-497

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To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Pepperboxes get some bad press for accuracy, but for pure firepower in a close-up encounter they did the job. Like this 4-1/2 inch, six-barrel .32 caliber version by Allen and Thurber, most were also double-action, enabling the user to fire it as fast as he could pull the trigger. They were less than half the price of a Colt and had Colt and other revolver makers struggling to catch up into the 1850s. With the barrel assembly cast as one unit and machined with integral nipples, production time and cost were reduced. They were also smoothbore and with the whole barrel cluster rotating, they were made without sights. At the same time the mechanism was simpler: only an indexing pin was necessary hold barrel and nipple under the hammer, and there was no need for cylinder stops or precise alignment of cylinder chambers with a barrel forcing cone.

This one is nicely marked on the bar hammer “Allen’s Patent / 1845” and on the barrel cluster, “Allen & Thurber” and “Worcester.” Ethan Allen partnered with brother-in-law Charles Thurber in 1837 and set up operations in Grafton, Mass. Their pepperboxes are grouped generally into three broad categories by the successive locations of the factory: Grafton, Norwich, and Worcester. “Worcester” dates this one 1847 at earliest, and the firm name at latest to 1854, when the company became Allen, Thurber and Company.

This is a good example, showing decent finish and color to the wood, tight fit to the metal, visible engraving on both the frame and on the nipple shield, and good markings on the hammer and on the barrel cluster. The mechanics are functional, though a bit weak. The frame shows as brown with shallow corrosion. The hammer, nipple shield and barrels are smoother metal, showing largely gray with a little faint blue mixed in as well.

Production numbers are uncertain: Allen and Thurber numbered their guns within batches and not with continuous serial numbers. But, they were immensely popular and widely carried by travelers, westerners, some military officers in the Mexican War era, explorers of the early west, and gold-seekers. We see them shown off in daguerreotypes and even some Civil War photos, though by that time we might suspect a photographer’s prop. They are an integral part of the old west. [sr][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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