about 50 basic types were made from their first introduction in the 1830s to final production in the 1860s. Of these there exist numerous sub-types and a great many variations have been identified.
Allen pepperboxes have always enjoyed a wide following in the dual collecting categories of Allen arms and American pepperboxes. Their attractiveness is based on a close association with many important eras of American history, the popularity of their maker’s name, and the several variations in which they can be found, acquired and accumulated. Very likely the major problem experienced in collecting them has been the lack of a definitive, systematically categorized check-list of all models, sub-models and variants. Allen pepperboxes have thus far had not a little literature written about them, yet they have managed to elude a simplified, reasonably complete detailed listing and itemization (the very first, and meager, attempt appearing in the April, 1911 issue of the short-lived Magazine Of Antique Firearms) which the average collector or merely mildly interested gun trader finds so essential for reference. In attempting to break through that barrier, the author has established the first simplified guidelines for identification and evaluation of these highly important American arms. It is essential for the reader to understand that in pioneering new territory, especially in a field such as the Allen pepperboxes (which were manufactured in so many styles and variations), the simplified listings in this chapter represent the most often encountered, basic styles plus some of the better known variations and rarities. In order to grasp, and consequently properly evaluate, the importance of pieces not falling within any of these listings (specimens of which the reader may encounter), it is essential that he perform further research on his own.
It is indicative of the difficulty of systematically categorizing Allen pepperboxes that all prior works on the subject have thus far avoided a confrontation with the problem. These guns just have not lent themselves to the neat systematized presentations that such arms as Colts and Smith & Wessons have. This certainly does not lessen their importance nor their value; it merely presents the collector with more of a challenge and further allows the serious student a chance to accumulate knowledge and shed some very important light on the field. The reader is also referred to Chapter VII-B (American Percussion Pepperboxes) for further information about these arms.
Fundamental to the identification and evaluation of Allen pepperboxes are a few observations concerning their manufacture at three different locations, their two basic styles (i.e., 1837 and 1845 patents), the few features commonly found in most types (enumerated below) and the fact that CONTRADICTIONS OFTEN OCCUR.
For the sake of systematization, Allen pepperboxes are divided into three basic groups: (1) Those made at Grafton, Massachusetts, c. mid-1830s to 1842; (2) those made at Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1842 to 1847; (3) those made at Worcester, Massachusetts, c. 1847 to 1865.
The two basic subdivisions of Allen pepperboxes made at the latter two locations are those of the 1837 patent type and of the 1845 patent type. These are key identifying features, especially in the Norwich made pepperboxes, and are easily recognized and verified by the collector.
The 1837 patent type has a one-piece straight (more or less) mainspring which fits into a small clip at the base of the inside strap (underneath the grips). The screw which adjusts the tension on that spring (and which can be observed by the eye on the outside of the gun) appears on the inside (or front) gripstrap very close to the bottom or butt of the handle.
The 1845 patent type has a large “U” shaped mainspring and the tension adjusting screw (which is easily observed on the outside of the gun) appears approximately in the center of the inner (or front) gripstrap of the handle.
A few other features more or less common to all Allens of all three types are factory standard walnut grips; early ones often have long narrow oval German silver inlays (known in collectors’ terminology as “spangles”). A variety of other types of grips are found on Allen pepperboxes and are discussed in the prefatory text of this section. The usual finish on standard pepperboxes was blued barrels and frames with casehardened hammers, although other finishes are seen with varying degrees of frequency. These too will alter values upward depending on their originality and type.
Indicative of manufacturing economy introduced by Allen is his utilization of the integral nipple with barrels. Only on the early Grafton-made models are removable nipples seen; all other Allen pepperboxes have nipples milled integrally with barrels.
A feature standard with most Allens (it will be so noted where normally not encountered) is hand-engraved designs on the frame and nipple shields. Types and styles vary and are described in the following listings; it should be noted that rarely will specimens be found identical on any type as they were all hand engraved and for the most part quickly, but well executed. For the expert, engraving style, although repetitive and varying slightly, is sufficient to place a piece within a certain time and place of manufacture. Highly embellished, custom engraved specimens are sometimes seen having designs covering sections of the barrel as well as much finer quality workmanship on the frame; such pieces—when proven original—command premium values and must be judged individually on their own merits.
Serial numbers on Allens are not a good method of judging either period of manufacture or variation. They are manufacturing batch numbers and hence, will be noted with but very few digits and in a low series.
Barrel lengths of the various models and types fall within general patterns which are detailed in the following descriptions. It has been observed that varying lengths, as long as they fall within known patterns, do not normally affect values nor demand. Of course, should bona fide unique or extra long lengths occur as is always possible, such a piece would merit a considerable premium.
Another major feature in understanding the general sequence of production of early Allen pepperboxes as well as evaluating them is the shape, and especially the angle at which the grip or handle is set to the frame. This is a nuance which is not easily categorized in a listing such as the present one, and tends very much to cloud the issue for our purposes. The collector, however, should be very much aware of this and it is certainly well worth his effort to review the subject, quite well discussed in Ethan Allen, Gunmaker. The matter of grip angle is decidedly introduced in our listings, but variants do occur within them which require further attention on the reader’s part. Mention is made of major handle variations when important for basic identification. Five major angles have been categorized by Allen collectors: (A) The “quick drop” grip in which the handle is set at a very sharp, almost right angle to the frame, as found on the earliest Grafton and Norwich specimens. This is the first style and the most easily observable. (B) The so-called “slow drop” grip in which the handle is still at a sharp angle to the frame, but slightly more curved than the early type. (C) Full “dog leg” grip and (D) semi “dog leg” grip, both of which have the early long handles normally with oval “spangles” or escutcheons, but are not set at nearly the sharp angular positions of the early, first two types. (E) The most commonly encountered evenly arched “late rounded” grip as found on most of the Worcester manufactured pieces.
Among the other details to which the serious collector should pay heed are the use of grip pins, “spangles” (the long oval narrow German silver grip inlays), numerous marking variations and the sizes and shapes of marking dies.
The pitman (or connecting rod) and ratchet features are often mentioned and referred to in Allen pepperbox literature. These features first appear in the Grafton series and were continued throughout all other Allen pepperboxes. They consisted of an inner series of cam teeth on the base of the barrel unit and a square pin below the cylinder pin extending from the breech. When hammer is at full cock the square pin extended from the breech and locked the cylinder for the moment of firing.
A feature found on several late Grafton and Norwich pepperboxes is a slotted hammer for sighting (at the rear of the hammer a rectangular slot which is used to sight through). It is estimated that less than one-third of the late Graftons and approximately one-third of all Norwich production were made with this feature. The incidence of their survival seems to be less than formerly indicated and does call for a small premium to their value. Front sights were not usual and the presence of them will also add a premium to value.
DEALER, DISTRIBUTOR OR AGENT MARKINGS