Allen & Thurber Worcester Pepperbox .31 Cal, Fluted Six-Barrel, Factory-Engraved, c. 1854–1856
This Allen & Thurber Worcester Standard-Size Pepperbox is an antique .31 caliber, six-shot percussion revolver from c. 1854–1856. It features the fluted barrel cluster variant, factory light scroll engraving, and the maker’s Worcester address. The bar-hammer, double-action mechanism and birds-head wood grips reflect a classic mid-19th-century configuration that appeals to collectors of American percussion-era arms.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor.
Bore Condition: Poor - Noticeable dirt, stains, significant corrosion or damage.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces show no original finish and display a heavy brown patina with pitting. Engravings on the frame and barrel cluster are faded. The original two-piece wood grips are intact and exhibit significant handling wear.
What’s Included
- Allen & Thurber Worcester Standard-Size Pepperbox pistol (.31 caliber)
The Worcester Standard-Size configuration uses a six-barrel fluted cluster measuring 3.8 in in length. It carries the "WORCESTER" address and a two-line top stamp on the bar hammer, aligning it with the mid-1850s production period.
This model operates on a double-action percussion bar-hammer system with individual nipples for each barrel. It has a conventional trigger within a thin oval guard and no fixed sights, as produced.
Factory-applied light scroll engraving on the frame and barrel lug adds period embellishment. The rounded birds-head grip uses two-piece wood panels secured by a transverse screw for a compact, hand-filling profile.
Made in the United States circa 1854–1856, this antique is part of the Worcester series known for its bar-hammer layout and clustered barrels. Its features, markings, and fluted barrel set it firmly within the recognizable Allen & Thurber pattern of the era.