The design of the .32 caliber lipfire breaks from its bigger brothers in several important ways. Firstly, it sports a spur trigger rather than using the standard trigger with guard. Secondly, it uses a side-hammer of earlier design. Lastly, it ditches the trigger guard ejector/plunger for a weaker left-mounted plunger with rack and pinion gears to the top and left of the chamber. In design, it seems to be a marriage/compromise between its bigger brothers and the earlier .32 Rimfire revolver. Barrel lengths include 4, 5 and 6 inch. .36 caliber lipfire rtevolver Very similar in design to the 44 caliber lipfire, this revolver was 'downsized' slightly and chambered in .36 caliber. The cylinder has a six-shot capacity. As with the similar sized center-hammer percussion, barrel lengths were produced in 5, 6, and 8 inch to accommodate different tastes. No significant variants are recognized, which may indicate that the .36 followed the .44 after the .44 design gestation. .44 caliber lipfire revolver The .44 was the first lipfire revolver produced. It sports a six-shot cylinder. Similar in appearance to the center-hammer percussion revolver, the rack and pinion mechanism of the loading level is hijacked to provide a cartridge case removal plunger. Thus the trigger guard pivots to actuate the plunger, as the center-hammer percussion revolver used the trigger guard to ram the load into the cylinder. Four variants are recognized, with 'narrow' and 'common' width grips and top vs. bottom hinges on the loading gate highlighting the difference. Standard barrel length was a massive 8 inches long, with the breadth and heft of the Army model center hammer percussion pistols. Single shot rimfire pistols With single-shot percussion pistols still selling well, it was natural that Allen would adopt cartridges to this style of pistol. A single-shot cartridge pistol also did not infringe on the Rollin White patent as described above. .22 caliber rimfire side swing pistol .32 caliber rimfire side swing pistol Cartridges On September 25, 1860, Ethan Allen was granted a patent for his lipfire cartridge. He also manufactured pinfire cartridges from 1862 until at least 1865. References Sources The Story of Allen & Wheelock Firearms, H. H. Thomas (1965) () Ethen Allen, Gunmaker: His Partners, Patents and Firearms, Harold Mouillesseaux (1973) () External links Defunct manufacturing companies based in Massachusetts People from Bellingham, Massachusetts Firearm manufacturers of the United States 1871 deaths 1808 births Defunct firearms manufacturers Firearm