The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-20
FIREARMS INDUSTRY
Ethan Allen a Pioneer in It in Making First Revolv-
 ing Gun.
NORWICH FIRM's GROWTH
Hopkins & Allen Arms Co.,, one of the Oldest Remaining Factories
 Established in Early 4Os.

The following interesting, hitherto unwritten history of Ethan Allen and the Hopkins and Allen Arms Co, ap pears in the February issue of Field and Stream, and is the third paper of a notable series, entitled, The History of American Arms and Ammunition, now running in that publication:
 For the first three-quarters cen tury of our national life New England practically controlled all branches of manufacturing, and Yankee inventive talent accomplished so many marvels that it became proverbial the world over, For many years Connecticut was popularly esteemed the home of in- ventors, and though the state was made the butt of many quiet jckes as the land of wooden clocks and wooden nutmegs, the fact remains that it still holds pre-eminence in many lines of mechanical productions, and notably in the making of firearms. Many factories were established in Connecticut and Massachusetts, a few of which still continue in business, though by far the larger number are now but memories. One of the oldest remaining, and for many years con- ducting an enormous business, is the Hopkins X Allen Arms O., which has been located at Norwich Conn, since the early '4Os. It is the successor of number of firms, the business of which was acquired through purchase and absorption. One of the largest of these, the Forehand Arms Co.,, es- tablished at North Grafton, Mass, in 1882. Many of the readers of these pages will doubtless remember the revolvers, in common use years ago, bearing the imprint of this firm, or of Forehand & Wadsworth.
 Ethan Allen, one of the pioneers of the firearms industry in American, was in his time a well-known figure in New England-a man standing over six feet in his stockings, and of whose prowess many tales are told. An oc- currence during the time he was liv- ing at North Grafton is typical of the man. It seems that he had misun- derstanding with some of his fellow citizens and, being a man of very strong opinions which could not be shaken by argument or force, soon had the greater part of the commun- ity arrayed against him. The breach widened and matters became worse until, finally, MT. Allen was approach ed by committee of four and asked to apologize. It happened however, that Ethan did not take kindly to apologies, and what he told the com mittee failed to make it's members any better natured. The next day, when going for his mail, he discover ed a series of posters which stated that, unless Ethan Allen apologiZed to the community by noon of the fol- lowing day, he was to be tarred and 2 feathered and ridden on a rail out of town at exactly 12 o'clock. Ethan quietly returned to his factory and continued his work. and nothing was seen of him until noon of the next day, when he came striding down the street and stood in front of the post office with a 'pepperbox' pistol of his own make in each hand At 12;30 he returned to the factory, without D having seen a face or heard a sound Perhaps it is needless to add that Ethan did not leave town on rail nor did he apologize to the citizens of North Grafton.
 At that period Mir, Allen was man. ufacturing saw-handled, rifed tar. get pistol and the Lambert cane gun and also the famous pepper-box, the first revolving arm made in America From this arm was evolved the mod. ern revolver, in which the cylinder only revolves, discharging it's loat through a single barrel The pepper. box was very popular as a weapon O defense for many years, and it figure, prominently in the literature of fit, years ago. One of these pistols wa carried by Mark Twain when he wa treed by the buffalo, as related b, himself. The writer of Beyond tn, Mississippi" book read in it's da, by everybody, tells how this weapon was responsible for the origination O B certain slang phrase which is stil In constant use. An adventurous bur glar essayed to climb to the window of worthy merchant, and as h reached the sill was confronted by
 big pepper-boX. "You get!" said tn merchant '"you bet!' responded tn climber promptly. and accepted tn merchants advice instead of his mon ey. It was related that the pepper box was introduced in the Southwes In a rather dramatic manner Tn travelling representative of the firm one William Onion, visiting a larg Texas town, stepped out upon the ve randa of his hotel and discharged al the barrels of two pepper-box pistol In quick succession. It was a whol lot of shooting in very brief space and quite naturally brought out tn entire town, armed to the teeth an prepared for trouble. Guns protrude from doors and windows, and me with pistols in either hand ran eau .iously from all directions. thinking
 pig fight was in progress. After tn explanation Onion was able to boo orders that kept the factory busy fo long time. and the popularity c The pepper-box throughout the South west was assured.
 Another arm to which historical i'm portance attaches is the first shotgu loading from the breech that was eve manufactured in America. of whic ,n illustration will be found elsewhe1
 n this article. Its production marke he beginning of modern gunmakin
 In this country. The Damascus bal -els on this arm are two of a yer lew made by Ethan Aliens son-ir law in an experimental way. The prc iuct proved wholly satisfactory an perfect in quality. but it was foun that the cost Of material and skille .ahor in America was too great to pc init of profit in barrel production consequently our manufacturers col .iaed to import their Damascus ba