1857 Allen & Wheelock five-shot .34 revolver

[majspud]

I let go my only remaining reproduction firearm, a M1851 Colt Civilian in .44cal to help purchase this original pistol.

The top-hammer design was carried over from earlier Allen single shot pistols and later pepper-box type revolvers to get around Colt's original patent. The .34cal large-frame top-hammer revolver was only in production from 1857-1860, with only 1500 units produced, before giving way to center- and side-hammer designs. Larger .36 and .44 cal revolvers modeled after this type were produced during the Civil War.

Company history (Wikipedia):

1831–1837: E. Allen (Grafton)
1837–1842: Allen & Thurber (Grafton)
1842–1847: Allen & Thurber (Norwich)
1847–1854: Allen & Thurber (Worcester)
1854–1856: Allen Thurber & Co (Worcester)
1856–1865: Allen & Wheelock (Worcester)
1865–1871: E. Allen & Company (Worcester)

Initially Allen's firm manufactured single shot pistols and rifles, but eventually moved on to early revolvers. The Allen & Thurber Pepper-box, known as the "Gun that won the East", was the most common repeating handgun of its day. In 1843 he and Thurber relocated to Norwich, Connecticut and in addition to arms making, built prototypes of Thurber's typewriter designed for the blind, disabled and those “nervous” about writing by hand. Though patented, the typewriter was never manufactured for commercial sale.

In 1847, the company moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, and in 1854 Wheelock became an equal partner with the firm's name changing to Allen Thurber & Co. In 1856, following Thurber's death, they reorganized as Allen & Wheelock and developed a single-action revolver bearing their names.

After the death of Wheelock in 1865, his 2 sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth, began working for him and the company changed names to Allen & Company. Upon Allen's death in 1871 the two operated the company under their own names: Forehand & Wadsworth, until Forehand reorganized the company in 1890 as the Forehand Arms Company after Wadsworth's retirement.

With the serial number of *233, the pistol is a very early one, probably produced in first year run of 1857. *233 is visible on the trigger guard, barrel, cylinder, and frame. Finish is about 25% blue and patina. Cylinder works fine and the bore is great for its age. Markings are clear save the "Allen and Wheelock Worcester, MA" which appears as a faint solid line. I had to open one cylinder by drilling through from the face and using a nail to punch out the rust blockage. A little difficult as the nipples are not removable and sit at right angles to the chamber. Scale is shown with an 1858 half dollar.

A neat and rare little revolver. Thanks for the look.

T

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