Ethan Allen

6 shot .36 caliber percussion pepper-box by Allen & Thurber (Worcester). Barrel flute bears 1837 patent date, hammer is marked "Allen's Patent".

Ethan Allen (1806–1871) was a major American armsmaker from Massachusetts. He is believed to be unrelated to the revolutionary Ethan Allen. His first firearm, the "Pocket Rifle" was developed in 1836, and his first patent was granted in 1837.

The Pepper-box, known as the "Gun that won the East", was the most common repeating handgun prior to the invention of the revolving cylinder. Its name may have been coined by Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain). It was commonly found during the California Gold Rush.

He was a coinventor, with Thomas P. Wheelock, of the "Allen and Wheelock" single-action revolver, an inexpensive pocket pistol.

Trade names

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)

Ethan had daughters but no sons. The "Company" was his sons-in-law Messrs Forehand and Wadsworth. On Ethan's death in 1871 they took over under their own names, till 1890.

References

• The Story of Allen & Wheelock Firearms - H. H. Thomas (1965) (ISBN 0-913150-73-8)
• Ethen Allen, Gunmaker: His Partners, Patents and Firearms - Harold Mouillesseaux (1973) (ISBN 0-919316-68-9)

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