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Allen & Thurber pistol

brimickribrimickri Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
I was digging through some old stuff here at the house and I found an old heirloom, an Allen & Thurber pistol! I don't know much about it other than my Great Great Granfather bought it for his wife for protection when he went off to fight in the Civil War. Does anyone know where I could find info on such a piece. It's in OK shape, but it's nothing I would ever try to shoot. It is a cap and ball pistol, single barrel, not a pepperbox. I don't know the caliber, but it's BIG!! I cleaned it up a little with some Hoppe's to remove a bit of surface rust and the only other markings is a serial number. ANY IDEAS???
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Comments

  • 1KYDSTR1KYDSTR Member Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This was one of the Ethan Allen family of companies and operated from Grafton and Worster Mass from 1837 to 1856. The time period you mentioned would likely be about right as most companies during the Civil war were busily making martial arms and hge would have had to get whatever he could for Grams! Interesting, but I couldn't give you a value. Hang on to that heirloom as it has a cool family history!!

    "When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
    "Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
    "History is written by winners"(Patton)
    "You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
    "There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Norm Flayderman in his book "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms" has a section regarding the Allen & Thurber, single shot pistols. Along with pictures of them.

    Flayderman's book is considered by most collectors to be the bible on antique American firearms. It's been in print continuously for well over 20 years, and is now out in it's 8th edition.

    You can go to most public libraries, as it's considered a standard reference, or buy a new or used edition on-line.

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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    There were NINE differant Single Shot Percussion Pistols made under the Allen & Thurber Name from the early 1830's to 1865.....Post or Send Me a Photo and I'll tell You which one You have...You could be holding a Pistol Worth some serious money......

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff<P><BR>
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  • brimickribrimickri Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello,
    I will try to take a few digital pics of it tomorrow and post them.
    check back tomorrow
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