- Ethan Allen (armsmaker)
Ethan Allen (1806-1871) was a major American armsmaker from
Massachusetts . He is believed to be unrelated to the revolutionaryEthan 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 bySamuel Clemens . It was commonly found during theCalifornia Gold Rush .He was a coinventor, with
Thomas P. Wheelock , of the "Allen and Wheelock"single-action revolver , an inexpensivepocket 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)
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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