I have been collecting and researching Ethan Allen guns since 1970. I have only know two of these brass frames to exist. Very very rare rifle came from a famous collection. The center fire conversion was done 1890’s not factory. The one I use to have had a steel dropping block with brass frame. I still have my double barrel dropping block cased set with full octagon barrels.
I am not into guns, never was, never will be, but hell, I am enjoying all of your videos. Your narration and the variety of info, reminds me the documentary narrators in the 70's (europe). Calm, pleasant, simple (cause life after all is simple) and not pretentious at all. You re good!
+Greco Maskara you must be my long lost brother. Similar reasons as to why I enjoy these videos. Educational presentation in history and function. Very well researched. Simple and directly informative. Best of all, an appreciation to craftsmanship and mechanics. It's all an art of engineering and history when done so well. I'm not a major gun lover, but I finally found a channel that let's me enjoy guns without bias or some insane political doctrine.
Wow, I`m impressed by the fireing pin solution. Very clever and simple. Thanks for all of the interesting videos, I enjoy all your "walktroughs" of the guns.
That tiny pin that holds the barrel into the receiver scares the hell out of me considering the breach block doesn’t lock on the barrel that pin takes all the pressure of firing!
Thats a very elegant looking rifle. I love the looks of it. And surprised by the number of features it has. That sight might not be the greatest, but it sure looks damn cool! I feel like a modern reproduction of this would go over pretty well. I mean it appears to be fairly simple and not a lot of parts. Maybe in 357 magnum or something like that. Id be interested anyway. Cool video, thanks!
If they made it properly they could get some parts interchangeability between the reproductions and originals for anyone who perhaps wants their old Ethan Allen to shoot. A barrel and extractor kit in a customers chosen caliber could sell well.
@@bendynamic2150 True, and one thing I've found shooting black powder loaded cartridges is that when you've got the load dialed in and lube and alloy right, it can be easier to clean than smokeless. Especially smokeless and copper jacketed.
@@forge52100 true true only wish i could have a fire arm like that even the old Springfield trap doors are up to about $850 give to take for a rack grade.
For shooting black power ,This design was well thought out and has advangances over a lot of other CW carbines as far as simplicity, repairing and cleaning.
Amazing rifle. Wel thought of. Pitty that nowadays it's AR15 & standard run of the mill gun designs that dominate. Such nice and intrecate firearms were made in the past.
These weird and wonderful actions never cease to amaze me. Usually for how impractical they are, but this is definitely an exception. And also just a really beautiful rifle to look at. But I could never own it and not shoot it. Great vid!
***** Oh, most definitely. That statement was purely made to oppose the previous statement. A lot of collectors by firearms just to look at it. I'd never buy something that doesn't go bang :-)
I love old guns from the Civil War. Just because they tried to cram a so many features and so many random things into them like the rifle stock for the Colt revolvers that had a canteen built into them or the rifles that had coffee grinders built in weird quirks like being able to change from Rimfire to Centerfire and the entire Barrel to just come out like that
@@bryanc2262 thats the most solid of all actions...its just not used anymore because it have to be single shot...but in term of high pressure you are 'bullet proof' lol
@@bryanc2262 It would have to be made out of steel for modern cartridges, the brass frame wouldn't be strong enough. But one made out of steel would be able to handle the pressures, just wouldn't look as good as that brass.
Slaughter Hound The brass would handle the pressure - the barrel retention pin would be another question. I can see the barrel going down range after a very few shots. (Good quality Brass has the same tensile strength as mild steel - but ten times the price).
As always, utterly interesting! Does this information come with the guns you show or do you research all this stuff up yourself? Greetings from Sweden.
Good to see. I started converting a old single shot 32 rim fire to be able to use 32S&W shorts. Much easier to reload. It came with a 32 rim fire shotgun barrel. I couldn't find any info on that round let alone ammo.
Why rim fire? What as it about rim fire rounds in a variety of calibers that made them so popular in that era. I've just read an article about how difficult it is to set up a rim fire manufacturing plant and how there hasn't been a new rim fire plant built in the use in at least 30 years.
Yeah that is a cool little rifle, That's kind of worried about the ball brass receiver but it actually has a steel barrel that goes all the way through so it can hold up to probably pretty good pressure.
At the beginning of the video (0:35), we caught a glimpse of what appeared to be some sort of trap door in the buttplate. Was that used for anything special?
It used to have a special take down tool specially made by Ethan Allen only for this rifle. This rifle was very scare only 2 made in brass frame. Only this one and another one had the brass dropping block. Most dropping block rifles where made in steel frame. Roughly 6,000 of them where made 1858-72 period. I have a cased set with two full oct barrels 38 cal and 44 cal. There was over 20 different versions of this gun.
The same Ethan Allen who was behind the famous furniture? It wouldn't be surprising considering up until recently furniture makers were often involved in firearm manufacture. For that matter, when I was young the wood portions of long guns were often referred to as "furniture."
John Ratko The furniture outfit was started in the '30s, and named after the Revolutionary war figure that captured Ft. Ticonderoga. He was no relation to the firearms maker, or the furniture people.
Saw an 1882 Protector Palm Pistol from France. Pre Chicago patent buy out and it was in incredible condition! Like the nickel had been plated yesterday. Thought it would be an ideal gun for Forgotten Weapons!
Forgotten Weapons Ha! Love it! Haven't been subbed long since most firearms are illegal here but these popped up and are legal for sale since the ammo isn't readily available. Keep up the awesome work.
Just discovered the falling block action seconds ago(drop breach as you called it which is probably the proper name knowing you lol) I should of bet money you had a video on atleast 1 of them.
What a great rifle. I love the field stripping and takedown- wish more modern rifles were that simple and well thought out. I had heard of these in a state militia context somewhere along the way, but i knew verylittle about them. Does anyone know if this Ethan Allen was related to the famous patriot militia leader of the Revolution? From Vermont, thus the name Green Mountain Boys. As a historical note, Col Paul Revere fell at Gettysburg. He was the grandson of the patriot and silversmith of fame and legend from the Revolution. Great video. Thank you
Why are old single shots so much cooler than modern ones (and some modern repeaters)? Most modern single shots are either bolt action or break open. I guess that makes manufacturing easier, since some of the tooling could be reused for/from magazine bolt actions and break open shotguns, but still.
I assume these would have been dramatically cheaper than an 1860 Henry or any similar lever gun. The ease of changing barrels or even moving the gun between rimfire and centerfire would be quite the selling point in that era when the metallic cartridge was new and centerfire was not the de facto choice of new calibers.
Very cool rifle. Now if someone would make an updated semi automatic version that would be a take down as well I would be willing to bet people would buy them.....if only.
Bob Azadi Nope, I am not an employee (and I do work with the James Julia auction house as well) - but I do want to make the most of a great opportunity there!
Forgotten Weapons Well I do appreciate your videos and all your research into the obscure! I share your fascination with old and oddball firearms, and your channel has become my favorite of all "gun porn" channels! Keep up the good work!
Early in the video, you said the rifle was chambered in .42 cal, then later (when showing the firing pin setup) you said .44 cal. Not trying to complain, simple slip of the tongue, I'm actually just curious which one was correct (if you can remember). Keep up the fascinating videos!
They came in many cal. Anywhere from .22 cal all the way up to 56 cal. The center fire conversion was not a factory conversion done by Ethan Allen. But some local gun smith did it.
Anyone else wonder about head-spacing problems after changing barrel? I guess if you owned multiple barrels each one could be turned to work with the breachblock in the gun.
It's videos like this that make me glad that I'm poking around in your older content.
Me too!
I have been collecting and researching Ethan Allen guns since 1970. I have only know two of these brass frames to exist. Very very rare rifle came from a famous collection. The center fire conversion was done 1890’s not factory. The one I use to have had a steel dropping block with brass frame. I still have my double barrel dropping block cased set with full octagon barrels.
what a piece. never heard of a double barrel falling block!
Surprisingly modular and clever for such a simple action
Clever little rifle, that would be a great design for a modern small caliber rifle. Well done Ian.
You gotta love the optimism of putting a 1,000 yard sight setting on a rimfire rifle.
I am not into guns, never was, never will be, but hell, I am enjoying all of your videos. Your narration and the variety of info, reminds me the documentary narrators in the 70's (europe). Calm, pleasant, simple (cause life after all is simple) and not pretentious at all. You re good!
Greco Maskara Thanks!
Greco Maskara Hear Hear Greco, couldn't have put it better myself.
+Greco Maskara you must be my long lost brother. Similar reasons as to why I enjoy these videos.
Educational presentation in history and function. Very well researched. Simple and directly informative. Best of all, an appreciation to craftsmanship and mechanics. It's all an art of engineering and history when done so well.
I'm not a major gun lover, but I finally found a channel that let's me enjoy guns without bias or some insane political doctrine.
Gag!! gag! I think this guy wants to blow you! simple!
+Greco Maskara Same! And this is a properly cool bit of technology
Genius… amazing this rifle never grew more popular!
This is one of the coolest rifles i've seen in quite some time.
That rear sight is pretty clever for a rifle!
greg Bilotta Definitely better than the ladder sight that for some reason was so popular in 19th Century America.
Wow, I`m impressed by the fireing pin solution. Very clever and simple. Thanks for all of the interesting videos, I enjoy all your "walktroughs" of the guns.
That appears to have been a extremely versatile rifle. It is was in production today I would buy one.
That tiny pin that holds the barrel into the receiver scares the hell out of me considering the breach block doesn’t lock on the barrel that pin takes all the pressure of firing!
Was thinking the same thing…that is quite a lot riding on that wee little pin there!
Neat piece of history there. Elegant design for something so simple. And that rear sight is really cool.
Thank you for making these videos. I always enjoy watching theses very informative videos.
Good video, short, succinct, and focused on the gun. No endless blathering on.
Thats a very elegant looking rifle. I love the looks of it. And surprised by the number of features it has. That sight might not be the greatest, but it sure looks damn cool!
I feel like a modern reproduction of this would go over pretty well. I mean it appears to be fairly simple and not a lot of parts. Maybe in 357 magnum or something like that. Id be interested anyway. Cool video, thanks!
I'd buy one. especially with barrels in 44/5 or even 32
If they made it properly they could get some parts interchangeability between the reproductions and originals for anyone who perhaps wants their old Ethan Allen to shoot. A barrel and extractor kit in a customers chosen caliber could sell well.
Andrew Ince I dont know if it already exists (except for maybe spring kits) but a company making parts for old guns in general would sell well.
Indeed it would.
Now that's a cool little rifle! Wouldn't mind having something like that in a modern caliber with steel frame.
Personally i would like one that fire's 45 ACP with a brass frame
@@bendynamic2150 45 ACP with a bronze frame? I'd go for it. And it'd be fun to load a few with black powder now and then.
@@forge52100 exactly there's nothing stopping you from loading black powder round to us smokeless rifle you just need to clean it a bit more
@@bendynamic2150 True, and one thing I've found shooting black powder loaded cartridges is that when you've got the load dialed in and lube and alloy right, it can be easier to clean than smokeless. Especially smokeless and copper jacketed.
@@forge52100 true true only wish i could have a fire arm like that even the old Springfield trap doors are up to about $850 give to take for a rack grade.
That's a really cool rear sight design, so user friendly.
That's a clever design, I like it.
You’re videos were just as good then as now Ian. This is a great little rifle!
For shooting black power ,This design was well thought out and has advangances over a lot of other CW carbines as far as simplicity, repairing and cleaning.
Very cool. Thanks, Ian.
wow what an amazingly simple yet functional rifle :)
I don't know exactly why it is, but I find this rifle to be very striking. Would be happy to own one, even in reproduction.
Amazing rifle. Wel thought of. Pitty that nowadays it's AR15 & standard run of the mill gun designs that dominate. Such nice and intrecate firearms were made in the past.
These weird and wonderful actions never cease to amaze me. Usually for how impractical they are, but this is definitely an exception. And also just a really beautiful rifle to look at. But I could never own it and not shoot it.
Great vid!
***** Oh, most definitely. That statement was purely made to oppose the previous statement. A lot of collectors by firearms just to look at it.
I'd never buy something that doesn't go bang :-)
I love old guns from the Civil War. Just because they tried to cram a so many features and so many random things into them like the rifle stock for the Colt revolvers that had a canteen built into them or the rifles that had coffee grinders built in weird quirks like being able to change from Rimfire to Centerfire and the entire Barrel to just come out like that
Damn, this gun is beautiful.
That's a lot of Lugers behind you.
I wish Uberti would reproduce it for modern 44 magnum or 45 colt
Or 45-70, but the breech block is probably not up to stuff at that pressure.
@@bryanc2262 thats the most solid of all actions...its just not used anymore because it have to be single shot...but in term of high pressure you are 'bullet proof' lol
@@bryanc2262 It would have to be made out of steel for modern cartridges, the brass frame wouldn't be strong enough. But one made out of steel would be able to handle the pressures, just wouldn't look as good as that brass.
@@slaughterhound8793 Perhaps a nice case hardened finish?
Slaughter Hound The brass would handle the pressure - the barrel retention pin would be another question. I can see the barrel going down range after a very few shots. (Good quality Brass has the same tensile strength as mild steel - but ten times the price).
This is such a cool and simple design.
That's a really neat sight!
a very interesting rifle
I love forgotten weapons Most Best gun history videos on UA-cam keep on making them very proud subscriber
Larry Fuller Thank you!
I hear the name and don't associate it with Firearms, but the Furniture store chain.
Fascinating, always looking forward to your videos Ian. Studying these old designs and oddities is a great way to get real depth in knowledge...
As always, utterly interesting! Does this information come with the guns you show or do you research all this stuff up yourself? Greetings from Sweden.
henkeH2 Glad you like it! I do all my own research for these videos.
Very neat gun, thanks for showing it to us.
Very useful video 👍👍
Very interesting! I have never seen on of these before. Thanks.
lovely looking piece
As you said, very interesting features.
Good to see. I started converting a old single shot 32 rim fire to be able to use 32S&W shorts. Much easier to reload. It came with a 32 rim fire shotgun barrel. I couldn't find any info on that round let alone ammo.
The rifle looks beautiful
Still does
I would love to see a reproduction with polished brass good looking rifle
Why rim fire? What as it about rim fire rounds in a variety of calibers that made them so popular in that era. I've just read an article about how difficult it is to set up a rim fire manufacturing plant and how there hasn't been a new rim fire plant built in the use in at least 30 years.
+Mark Lasater Rimfire cartridge were invented first, before people figured how to make standalone reliable primers.
From a survival stand point i could be every gun you need
I love that rifle, very cool and Bill ruger should of patterned the number 1 rifle so you could swap barrels so easily.
What a fantastic weapon, i would love to own one of these and try to track down other barrels in different calibers for it. Like always a great video!
Yeah that is a cool little rifle, That's kind of worried about the ball brass receiver but it actually has a steel barrel that goes all the way through so it can hold up to probably pretty good pressure.
That would had been useful. During that time all kinds of different rounds were being developed.
I love brass guns, very pretty.
I would always say, falling block rifle are easy to reconvert for different calibers, in fact more easily than bolt action and lever action.
this is my favorite rifle yet too cool!
Pretty slick! Thanks Ian
as always. fascinating
I had an Ethan Allen .22 single shot from the turn of the century and sold it for 75 bucks. Wish I kept it.
Α very smart design
At the beginning of the video (0:35), we caught a glimpse of what appeared to be some sort of trap door in the buttplate. Was that used for anything special?
Andrew B Cleaning rod, I believe.
It used to have a special take down tool specially made by Ethan Allen only for this rifle. This rifle was very scare only 2 made in brass frame. Only this one and another one had the brass dropping block. Most dropping block rifles where made in steel frame. Roughly 6,000 of them where made 1858-72 period. I have a cased set with two full oct barrels 38 cal and 44 cal. There was over 20 different versions of this gun.
The same Ethan Allen who was behind the famous furniture? It wouldn't be surprising considering up until recently furniture makers were often involved in firearm manufacture. For that matter, when I was young the wood portions of long guns were often referred to as "furniture."
John Ratko The furniture outfit was started in the '30s, and named after the Revolutionary war figure that captured Ft. Ticonderoga. He was no relation to the firearms maker, or the furniture people.
slowhand11 Well, now I know.
John Ratko
Not trying to spout, but you asked.
The word "furniture" to describe the stocks has not gone away.
Neat
I have wanted a .44 brass rifle for a long time
You had me at "brass"
Saw an 1882 Protector Palm Pistol from France. Pre Chicago patent buy out and it was in incredible condition! Like the nickel had been plated yesterday. Thought it would be an ideal gun for Forgotten Weapons!
Dr Mantis Toboggan Indeed it would!
ua-cam.com/video/Zv4ekzpWdFk/v-deo.html
Forgotten Weapons Ha! Love it! Haven't been subbed long since most firearms are illegal here but these popped up and are legal for sale since the ammo isn't readily available. Keep up the awesome work.
this is my favorite rifle yet too cool
Ethan Allen was definitely a talented man.
He died long before this gun. The name was used by the business.
I want a falling block rifle. Like something like the Panzerbuche 38
Very interesting Rifle!
One thing I never understood about these ancient weapons. Why is the barrel of most of them only covered by wood on the underside?
the rear sight has rifle mode and artillary mode.
Clever rifle
Great!!!! thanks again!!
AWESOME!
A good looking single shot rifle.
I love the design and it was dang old rimfire 👍
Very nice. Looks very well thought out. Must have made a nice hunting rifle for deer.
Just discovered the falling block action seconds ago(drop breach as you called it which is probably the proper name knowing you lol) I should of bet money you had a video on atleast 1 of them.
Простая и надёжная винтовка. Продуманная конструкция. Был удивлён простотой разборки и устройства.
Vermonts finest
What a great rifle. I love the field stripping and takedown- wish more modern rifles were that simple and well thought out. I had heard of these in a state militia context somewhere along the way, but i knew verylittle about them. Does anyone know if this Ethan Allen was related to the famous patriot militia leader of the Revolution? From Vermont, thus the name Green Mountain Boys. As a historical note, Col Paul Revere fell at Gettysburg. He was the grandson of the patriot and silversmith of fame and legend from the Revolution. Great video. Thank you
Troy Ortega same Ethan Allen
Well,thats cool as hell.
It would be nice if someone would start making theses in .22 RF.
Why are old single shots so much cooler than modern ones (and some modern repeaters)? Most modern single shots are either bolt action or break open. I guess that makes manufacturing easier, since some of the tooling could be reused for/from magazine bolt actions and break open shotguns, but still.
I assume these would have been dramatically cheaper than an 1860 Henry or any similar lever gun. The ease of changing barrels or even moving the gun between rimfire and centerfire would be quite the selling point in that era when the metallic cartridge was new and centerfire was not the de facto choice of new calibers.
Very clever design indeed.I wonder if any of these rifles were made in a steel frame?
This is one cool gun! I'd like to be able to afford one... But also I'd be interested in a modern version of this. With bigger cartridges perhaps?
ruger No 1 ... falling block single shot it is chambered up to elephant hunting caliber ...but also in more regular one like 7mm 243 etc
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_No._1 here you go from 22 hornet to 450 nitro express and everything in between, have fun =)
Lovely gun
Ian should design his own gun
Id love to make one of these in some pistol calibers
Digital sights back then! Who knew?
Very cool rifle. Now if someone would make an updated semi automatic version that would be a take down as well I would be willing to bet people would buy them.....if only.
TryNsurviveN semi-auto would completely defeat the point
TryNsurviveN Ruger 10-22.
It's a single shot semi auto!
That was cool!
Ian sounded like billy maze during this video.... BUT WAIT! THERES MORE!
Another great video! So are you working for RIA at this point? You seem to spend a lot of time there!!
Bob Azadi Nope, I am not an employee (and I do work with the James Julia auction house as well) - but I do want to make the most of a great opportunity there!
Forgotten Weapons Well I do appreciate your videos and all your research into the obscure! I share your fascination with old and oddball firearms, and your channel has become my favorite of all "gun porn" channels! Keep up the good work!
Early in the video, you said the rifle was chambered in .42 cal, then later (when showing the firing pin setup) you said .44 cal. Not trying to complain, simple slip of the tongue, I'm actually just curious which one was correct (if you can remember). Keep up the fascinating videos!
They came in many cal. Anywhere from .22 cal all the way up to 56 cal. The center fire conversion was not a factory conversion done by Ethan Allen. But some local gun smith did it.
Just a little correction, it's Bronze not brass.
Oh god it's so sexy! I want a replica of it! Do you think a gunsmith worth their salt could make one from this video alone, Ethan?
The Generalissimo the frame of the gun is brass. Buy a barrel and make it yourself :D
Who the fuck is Ethan?
Greg The Leg Ethan’s spirit lives in Ian!
At least wore gloves for professional inspection, to preserve.
I have an Ethan Allen snake eyes pistol. Its so weak that you could catch the bullets by hand at 20 feet.
Like a civil war era T/C contender but more interesting
It is located with a ZD rifle or a nearby one with the stamp of the year of manufacture 1910
Anyone else wonder about head-spacing problems after changing barrel? I guess if you owned multiple barrels each one could be turned to work with the breachblock in the gun.