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ALLEN AND WHEELOCK NAVY .36 CAL.-LIPFIRE REVOLVER

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This is a nice example of the .36 caliber "Navy" version of the "Lip Fire" Revolvers made by Ethan Allen and his brother-in-law Thomas Wheelock in Worcester, Mass. In 1856 the two formed a partnership that lasted until Wheelock's death in 1865, and were most known for their Pepperbox Percussion revolvers. However, they also did make many other types of firearms, including the "Side Hammer" rimfire revolvers. These were produced from 1859 to 1862, when litigation from Smith Wesson brought production to a halt. S&W had purchased exclusive rights to the Rollin White patent, which governed bored through cylinders, and defended it actively.

In an effort to get around this, Allen & Wheelock introduced a revolutionary "Lip Fire" cartridge-based revolver. It utilized a small "lip" on the edge of the cartridge base, where the primer would be stored, as opposed to having a rim going all the way around. This also included such luxuries as a hinged trigger guard that actuated the ejector, a loading gate on the cylinder, and an easily removable arbor pin. Allen also went to a "center hammer" design, instead of the earlier side hammer, which improved the frame strength and ease of loading.

Unfortunately, the Lip Fire revolvers also was found to infringe on the Rollin White Patent, and saw a much shorter production life. The guns being introduced in late 1860 or early 1861 and being put out of production by the November 1863 court order. Despite these setbacks, Allen persevered, continuing to manufacture percussion revolvers, and long arms, including a drop-breech cartridge rifle and double-barreled shotguns with metal wrists. Allen also produced a successful line of single shot, cartridge derringers that did not infringe upon the Rollin White patent.

This example is a .36 caliber “Navy” model, differentiating itself from the “Army” model in caliber, size, and the extended octagonal barrel (the Army had a barrel that was round toward the muzzle to accommodate the larger .44 caliber round). German silver blade front sight. Walnut grips are in nice condition with only the left side panel lower corner chipped and missing (from an over tightened screw). The grips have a thick coat of varnish present with a little flaking on the bottom. The timing and lockup are both tight. The bore is dark but, retains rifling.  The original bluing is completely gone and all metal surfaces are plum grey. Some minor oxidation on the left side of the barrel and top of the frame. The barrel is worn and lightly stamped ALLEN & WHEELOCK. WORCESTER. MASS. US. ALLEN’S PATS SEPT 7 NOV 9 1858. Some sections are illegible. A roll engraving can be seen on the cylinder surface. Serial number 70 can be found on the frame, grips, cylinder arbor, rear of cylinder and loading lever. This pistol likely falls within the 1861-1862 manufacturing period.

The Civil War spurred an unprecedented level of innovation, with this pistol being a case in point. [stp][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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