| Ethan Allen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ethan Allen July 19, 1806 Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | January 10, 1871 (aged 64) Massachusetts, United States |
| Occupation | Inventor, businessman |
Ethan Allen (1806–1871) was a major American armsmaker from Massachusetts. He is believed to be unrelated to the revolutionary Ethan Allen. His first firearm, the "Pocket Rifle" was developed in 1836, and his first patent was granted in 1837.
The Pepper-box, known as the "Gun that won the East", was the most common repeating handgun prior to the invention of the revolving cylinder. Its name may have been coined by Samuel Clemens. It was commonly found during the California Gold Rush.
He was a coinventor, with Thomas P. Wheelock, of the "Allen and Wheelock" single-action revolver, an inexpensive pocket pistol.
Ethan had daughters but no sons. The "Company" was his sons-in-law Messrs Sullivan Forehand and H. C. Wadsworth. On Ethan's death in 1871 they took over under their own names, till 1890.