Ethan Allen Drop Breech Rifle

Although never purchased by the U.S. government, some Allen rifles did see military service.

1860 Allen and Thurber (U.S.) Drop-breech Carbine (single-shot/ breech-loading/ black powder/ cartridge ammunition)

Ethan Allen of Massachusetts became a major manufacturer of firearms in the United States during the percussion era. On September 18, 1860, the firm patented a unique drop-breech rifle. Short-barreled, large-caliber specimens with sling swivels, such as this example, served as secondary martial carbines in some Civil War encounters. Because these carbines were never officially adopted during the war, scouts, spies, and private citizens sometimes obtained these for service on both sides of the lines. A few years after the conflict was over, however, several northern states adopted these carbines as official militia arms for mounted troops. In either of these roles, these carbines proved to be very satisfactory.

- Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #71