SCARCE! ANTIQUE EARLY PRODUCTION CASED ALLEN & THURBER "GRAFTON DAINTY" PEPPERBOX PISTOL WITH BOLEN MERCHANT MARKING

Scarce Antique Early Production Cased Allen & Thurber "Grafton Dainty" Pepperbox Pistol with Bolen Merchant Marking. Manufactured during 1841 and 1842, the "Grafton Dainty", named for it's small size and the firm's then-hometown of Grafton, was Allen & Thurber's first double action pepperbox pistol. At the time, the Dainty was a massive leap in portable firepower; John Bolen (one of Allen's earliest sales agents known to create presentation sets for railroads) advertised them as useful for both men and women for repelling multiple attackers. Immediately recognizable as an Allen & Thurber, the pistol is marked "E.A.P.M. 1841" on one of the barrel ribs, "ALLEN'S PATENT" on top of the hammer, and "BOLEN NY" on the left side. The number "22" is present on the barrel group, trigger guard, front strap and mainspring. Light engraving is present on the sides and rear of the frame. It comes with an orange velvet lined hardwood case containing a brass powder flask decorated with alternating star and bulls-eye designs, a nitre blue "L" shaped takedown tool, and a two-chamber bullet mold. The consignor notes that the lack of Pittman and ratchet setup and the "E.A.P.M." marking indicate it was a very early experimental action. Less than 50 to 100 are believed to have been manufactured. Caliber/ Gauge: 30 gauge; Serial Number: 22 Working Order: Firearm has not been tested; Background Check: Not Required; Keywords: Firearms, Guns; Ref: BD1836