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LOT 157
Exceptional Cased Factory Engraved Allen & Thurber Worcester Percussion Pepperbox - Serial no. 220, 33 cal., 4 1/4 inch ribbed bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Ethan Allen’s bar hammer, double action pepperbox revolvers were popular
in the antebellum era and remained in use during the Civil War. High condition examples are hard to find since so many saw use. This incredibly high condition pepperbox was manufactured c. 1847- 1856 by Allen & Thurber after the company moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. The six-shot barrel group has “ALLEN & THURBER” (double stamped) and “WORCESTER” on one rib and “PATENTED 1837 CAST-STEEL” on another. The hammer is marked “ALLEN’S PATENT” on the left side. The nipple shield and frame have scroll engraving. Matching serial/ batch numbers are marked on the barrel group, trigger guard, mainspring, front strap, and both grips. The trigger guard and front strap also have the assembly number “5.” It comes in a very rare and also high condition mahogany case along with a dual cavity bullet mold, loading and cleaning rods, three-compartment powder flask with red leather wrap, a key, and an assortment of balls and pill shaped bullets.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel group retains 98% plus of the original blue finish with only one small streak of fading near the bright muzzle, and the frame retains 50% plus original blue finish with the loss due to typical flaking and a smooth brown patina on the balance. The engraving remains crisp. The grips are also excellent and have minimal light handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and have minimal light age and storage related wear such as some compression marks on the otherwise remarkable lining.
Provenance: The Herbert Green Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 158
Attractive Cased New York Retailer Marked Engraved Allen & Thurber Bar Hammer Percussion Double Action Pepperbox - Serial no. 34, 31 cal., 3 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Worcester production pepperbox was manufactured circa 1840s. The 6-shot barrel assembly has the following markings, each on a solid rib: “ALLEN & THURBER WORCESTER,” PATENTED 1837,”“CAST STEEL,” and “BOLEN 04 B’WAY, N.Y.” for the New
York City retailer J.G. Bolen. The retailer
marking was hand stamped by Bolen
and is missing the “1” in the street
address due to a broken die as the
address should be “104.” The frame and
nipple shield are engraved with floral
scroll patterns. The left side of the bar
hammer is marked “ALLENS PATENT.” A
German silver oval inlay is featured on
each grip panel. Overall length is 7 1/8
inches. Matching batch number “34”
appears on the grip frame, hammer, hammer spring, trigger guard, both grip panels and barrel cluster. The period partitioned case contains a leather wrapped cylindrical powder flask, lead balls, two cavity iron bullet mold, case key, and cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine. The nipple shield retains 60% original blue finish, otherwise the pepperbox retains 50% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. The engraving is crisp. 50% original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are excellent with
some minor handling marks and retaining nearly all original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is very
good with a hairline crack on the lid, minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining.
The accessories are all fine or better. A beautiful Bolen marked set that saw little use.
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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