ETHAN Allen & C°
The Drop
Block Breech or Falling Block rifle has a nice streamlined silhouette. The rifle
comes in two frame sizes. The small frame, designed for the 22rf, 32rf, 35rf and
38rf cartridges. The large frame for the 42rf and 44rf.
The
majority of the models have half-octagonal / half-round barrels, with lengths
varying from 23″ to 28″.
Production of these rifles started around 1860 and continued for the small frame
model until the end of the Allen & Wheelock period (1865) while production of
the large frame model continued well into the Forehand & Wadsworth period
(~1880).
The
standard version of the rifle has a blued steel frame and barrel, but the small
frame version could also be supplied with a brass frame. By removing a pin screw
situated at the top of the frame, the barrel could be taken off the frame to
ease transport or cleaning.
Although
the basic design didn’t change much, many variations have been made over the
long production period. Later models were also available in center fire. In
addition, many earlier versions have been converted to use center fire
cartridges.
The shown
example is a large frame model is from the E.Allen & Co period in .44 Henry. The
rifle has a late type stock plate; the early types are much less curved.
Although no official military contracts are known, the large caliber rifles are
considered martial rifles by collectors.
Caliber:
.44RF
Length:
Barrel:64 cm (25"), Total:107 cm
Barrel
marking: E.ALLEN & CO WORCESTER MASS / PATENTS DAT SEPT 18 1860 bpgcollector
bpgcollector
