Original Item: Only One Available. This is one of the first cartridge pistols produced in United States after the Civil War, made in the 1860's for the U.S. Market by Ethan Allen of Massachusetts (1808-1871). Allen developed his Gun business by taking his brother-in-law Charles Thuber as his partner, and they moved the plant to Worcester, Mass. Ethan Allen, no relation to the Revolutionary Ethan Allen, applied for various patents, most notably early on for a "TUBE HAMMER" ignition system in 1845.

In 1865 Allen received another Patent for this Single shot Cartridge pistol design, which is marked on the side of the "swing aside" barrel, showing maker and patent information:

It has a wooden "bird's head" style grip, with a spur style trigger, which was popular at the time. The overall length is about 6 inches, and the pistol has a 4 inch long rifled barrel chambered for .32 rimfire, which is stamped 400 on the bottom. These were also made in a slightly larger .36 rimfire. The bore of the pistol shows some wear, but lands and grooves are still clear.

The pistol is loaded by cocking the hammer, and swinging the front of the barrel to the left. This ejects the spent cartridge, if present, and allows loading of a fresh cartridge. Condition is very good, with the expected wear on a pistol that is about 150 years old.

Ethan Allen took into his business another brother-in-law, Thomas Wheelock, and later his two Sons-in-law, Sullivan Forehand and Henry Wadsworth, who continued the business after Ethan Allen's death in 1871. Most interesting that all these names have become an integral part of the U.S. arms industry.

A cute little pocket Pistol, ready for display.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1865
Caliber:  .32" Rimfire
Ammunition Type: rimfire cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 6 inches
Action: Top Action Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required

Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.