1903

Antebellum American Pocket Pistol.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:187.00 USD Estimated At:375.00 - 525.00 USD
Antebellum American Pocket Pistol.
Petit "Allen Thurber & Co." double-action bar hammer percussion muff pistol. An interesting example, with uncommon, original cream ivory grips and triple markings. Patent 1845, .36 caliber. 3" long. Simple scroll engraving. Screw-off barrel allowing breech loading. Serial (or batch) no. 645, dateable within the brief time in 1854-56 that the firm used this transitional name, in their Worcester, Mass. period. Their factory had been destroyed by fire in 1854; this was believed produced in their new facility. Total production of this model range, in all of their locations from 1830s to Civil War period, estimated at "several thousand"--Guide to Antique American Firearms, 9th ed., ref. 5A-006. Some examples did not bear maker's name; this has three markings: "Allen Thurber & C(o.)," "Patented April 16(?)," and "Allen's Patent / 1845." (Their co-namesake Ethan Allen, the celebrated gunmaker, was likely named for the patriot.) Likely reblued long ago, now about 85%, lacking trigger guard, mainspring screw in grip replaced, tight age crack of left grip, very minor crack of right grip, else fine, well-marked, mechanically good, and pleasing for display. (Not warranted safe to shoot.) Ivory grip examples from this narrow period of the firm's production are very uncommon on the market; they are unmentioned in the standard encyclopaedia cited above.