Pepperbox revolvers, I pick them up when a good deal presents itself even though they aren't practical by today's standards. In their day though they were good sellers for protection guns, many manufactured by the various namesake companies of Ethan Allen. Most all work the same, double action smooth bore percussion guns, they have a simple and reliable mechanism and provided fast, short range firepower. You can find some excellent videos on the internet of CA shooters getting hits on multiple targets very quickly. With a smooth bore, heavy front, and no sights accuracy was limited and as Mark Twain said the only safe place around somebody shooting an "Allen" was behind them.
US calibers ran mostly from 28 to 36 with the 32 being by far the most popular. Imports like those from Samuel Nock of England ran up to 44 and 50, but as you can see from the picture it was a stretch to call the larger versions like the Allen 38, pictured on top, a pocket gun. The guns also became very front heavy. While six shots was the most common, there were really small ones with three like the Manhattan at the bottom.
Pepperboxes hang on even past the introduction of the Colt 1849 and really don't begin to disappear until the cartridge era. If you choose to pick one up, the Allen 32s are not hard to find or expensive. Best advice is to examine the nipples closely as they are machined into the barrel casting and are not replaceable. Damage is usually the result of age and dry firing.
The S&W is pictured to provide some scale.
US calibers ran mostly from 28 to 36 with the 32 being by far the most popular. Imports like those from Samuel Nock of England ran up to 44 and 50, but as you can see from the picture it was a stretch to call the larger versions like the Allen 38, pictured on top, a pocket gun. The guns also became very front heavy. While six shots was the most common, there were really small ones with three like the Manhattan at the bottom.
Pepperboxes hang on even past the introduction of the Colt 1849 and really don't begin to disappear until the cartridge era. If you choose to pick one up, the Allen 32s are not hard to find or expensive. Best advice is to examine the nipples closely as they are machined into the barrel casting and are not replaceable. Damage is usually the result of age and dry firing.
The S&W is pictured to provide some scale.
