Sometimes listed as just the Allen Drop Breech, these breech-loading rimfire rifles were produced in limited numbers, 1,500 to 2,000 all told by Flayderman’s estimate, but in a variety of calibers, from 1860 to 1871 at Worcester, MA. This is a good example in.32 caliber, with nicely marked on the top flat of the 22-inch, part-octagonal part-round barrel:  “ALLEN & WHEELOCK / ALLEN’S PAT SEP. 18. 1860.” For loading the triggerguard with release catch acts as a lever to lower the breechblock fitted with a firing pin.

The metal is generally smooth, though with some thin crustiness to the receiver tang. The barrel shows a nice, thin blue with some rubbing on the left side ahead of the forestock, with the octagonal section stronger. The receiver is smooth metal and shows faded case colors as dominantly brown with hints of blue on the left receiver and more as bluish gray with brown spotting on the left. The block colors match the receiver. The hammer has a more evident mottled blue. The triggerguard/lever has some thin blue, as does the underside of the receiver. The triggerguard tang shows more as brown and gray from handling.  Both sights are in place, including the ingenious, but perhaps awkward rear sight that is elevated by a lever that can be moved to set in any one of ten holes in and arc on the left of receiver. The holes are numbered 1 to 10 and the bottom of the lever is in the shape of a pointer. There is a scratch forward of the last hole from elevating the sight higher. These are usually serial numbered on the triggerguard tang. We see an impression there, but the number, if there, is not legible. The wood is a warm brown with tight fit to the frame, but does show some handling marks- scratches on the flats of the butt stock with some dings to the forestock with a small chip and shallow divot on the forward right. Mechanics function as expected.

These are interesting rifles and despite the small number made come in several different calibers, with variations in rear sights, and in designs for take down.  [sr][ph:L]

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