ENGRAVED Antique ALLEN & THURBER .31 Bar Hammer NORWICH Pepperbox BELLY GUN First American Double Action Revolving Pistol

Description:
ENGRAVED Antique ALLEN & THURBER .31 Bar Hammer NORWICH Pepperbox BELLY GUN

First American Double Action Revolving Pistol

Here Ancestry Guns present an antique Allen & Thurber Norwich Period Bar Hammer 6-shot Percussion Pepperbox Pistol made circa 1842-1847.  Only six-barrel pepperbox pistols were produced during the Grafton Period (1830s-1842) and the Norwich Period (1842–1847), and all had smooth barrel external contours until the later Worchester (1847-1865) & Allen and Wheelock period, when fluted barrels became the norm. This is a six-shot revolving pistol and was made during the Norwich Period. It wasn’t until the Worchester period that the five-shot pepperbox was introduced. Percussion nipples were integrated into the barrels. Made with a bar hammer and standard trigger, models have been encountered with or without an integral nipple shield. While simplifying shooting (no manual cocking of the hammer), the bar hammer did preclude the inclusion of usable sights. However, this early example of a double-action pistol must have been quite a selling point. As these were considered “point and shoot” short range defensive weapons or “belly guns”, the market did not seem to object to the limitation of not having sights. 

Ethan Allen was already a prolific inventor and successful businessman in the 1830s when he came up with this design. This percussion, six-shot, double-action pocket revolver was a very popular pistol that was produced in Norwich, Connecticut. It’s a 31-caliber pepperbox with a revolving screw off fluted barrel and has factory engravings in a floral motif executed on both sides of the frame. Made from 1842-1847, these pistols enjoyed even greater popularity than Sam Colt’s first pistol. The history that these pistols enjoyed over the years is astounding: the Seminole Wars, Gold Rush, Mexican War and American Civil War. These guns are true relics of American history.

The overall condition is good. Period refinished. Strong action. The bores are good for their ages. Both grips are in good shape, have been sanded, and retain an average amount of handling wear. Markings are legible. A slight dent is present on the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers on the grip strap, mainspring, and both grip panels.

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

Barrel is 3-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .31 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$1500

#260507
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $1,500.00
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