This is a lovely example of the diminutive Allen & Wheelock Side Hammer Belt Revolver. Allen & Wheelock produced a series of pistols based upon this action that were all essentially the same except for their overall size and caliber. The largest was the .36, six chambered “Side Hammer Navy” revolver, the middle-sized gun was the nominally .31 “Side Hammer Belt” revolver, although these guns were produced in .31, .32 and .34 calibers. The smallest was the pocket revolver, which was manufactured in .28 caliber. Both of the smaller guns had five chambered cylinders. The .31 caliber belt revolver was the middle-sized pistol of the series and was manufactured with barrels ranging from 3-inches to 6-inches in length. All of the pistols in the series featured engraved cylinders that were embellished with scenes of game like deer and rabbits, combined with a forest motif. These pistols were produced from about 1857 through 1861 and it is estimated that between 750 and 1000 of these “belt sized” revolvers were produced. 

Like nearly all Allen & Wheelock pistols, the Side Hammer Belt Revolver went through a number of minor changes and variations while the pistols were in production. The late Paul Henry, noted collector and researcher of Allen & Wheelock firearms, managed to categorize the pistols into different production eras (early, middle, late), based upon the changes in the design of the side plate, number of screws securing it, etc. His book Ethan Allen and Allen & Wheelock – Their Guns & Their Legacy is a must for any collector interested in these uniquely American guns and the company that manufactured them.

The pistol offered here is a classic example of the Allen & Wheelock Side Hammer Belt Revolver in about VERY GOOD+ condition. It is a late second model production variant, which is established by the side plate design. Like so many Allen & Wheelock designs, the lockwork is complicated, over engineered and rather delicate. Thankfully, this pistol still functions perfectly, as many Side Hammer pistols encountered today are in less than great mechanical condition. The pistol has a nominally 4” octagonal barrel, which measures exactly 3 15/16 inches. Minor variations in barrel length of 1/8-inch or so are rather common on Allen & Wheelock revolvers. The barrel is long enough to accommodate the complete Allen & Wheelock manufacturing and patent markings. The left side of the barrel is marked in two lines:

ALLEN & WHEELOCK. WORCHESTER, MASS. U.S.

ALLEN’S PT’S. JAN. 13. DEC. 15. 1857 

The pistol is marked with the serial (or assembly) number 538 on most of the major components, including the left side of the grip frame (under the grip), the rear face of the cylinder, the face of the rotating plate, the loading lever and the cylinder pin. The assembly mark is also stamped inside both of the grips. The pistol in in NEAR FINE condition and retains about 80%+ of the original blue on the barrel and some traces of blue in the protected areas of the frame. The balance of the gun has a dove gray patina with freckles of discoloration and surface oxidation here and there, particularly on the backstrap and just above the grips. The metal is mostly smooth with some small areas of minor surface oxidation and minor roughness, along with a couple of small patches of pinpricking. The roll engraved cylinder retains about none of its original finish and shows a deep smoky gray patina. The cylinder retains about 85%+ of the engraved forest and game animals scene, which remains very sharp and clear. There are some scattered freckles and patches of discoloration and oxidation on the cylinder, along with some minor surface roughness. The loading lever has a mottled smoky gray patina with hints and traces of the original mottled case coloring. The loading lever and its locking latch still work correctly. The action of the pistol works very well with the revolver timing, indexing and locking up crisply. The narrow, curved hammer nose is in fine condition and has not been repaired. This is somewhat uncommon, as these revolvers regularly show repairs to the delicate hammer nose which broke easily. The bore of the pistol is in about VERY GOOD condition, showing strong rifling and evenly distributed light to moderate pitting along its entire length. The original pinched blade German silver front sight blade is dovetailed into the end of the barrel near the muzzle and has a nice silvery patina. The two-piece walnut grips are in about VERY GOOD+ condition and retain about 60%+ of their original varnished finish. The grips are solid, without any breaks, cracks or repairs. The grips only show the normal bumps and dings from carry and use.

Overall, this is a really attractive example of an Allen & Wheelock Side Hammer Belt Revolver that was likely produced just prior to the opening days of the American Civil War. These little percussion pistols never achieved the level of success of guns like the Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver, but there are enough extant period images to know that at least some of these little pistols were carried into the field by soldiers in the early days of the war. This pistol functions correctly and has a wonderfully clear cylinder scene. It is a very nice, complete example of a relatively uncommon pistol that would be a great addition to any Civil War era percussion revolver collection.