Lot 65

Engraved Allen & Thurber Pepperbox Inscribed to B.H. Burrell

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Engraved Allen & Thurber Pepperbox Inscribed to B.H. Burrell

Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Attractive Factory Engraved Allen & Thurber Worcester Percussion Pepperbox with Ivory Grips Inscribed to Captain B.H. Burrell by the Roxbury Artillery This historic pepperbox is linked to the Roxbury Artillery and the Burrell family through its inscription on the grips, both of Massachusetts, the birthplace of American independence. The Roxbury Artillery was originally established in 1784 by General William Heath at his farmhouse. He is said to have personally known General George Washington during the revolution. In "The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace" by Frederick M. Cutler, he notes that in 1784 the professional standing army of the fledgling United States of America consisted of just one company and by 1787 only amounted to 1,200 regulars. Thus, it was necessary for various state militia units to be formed, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, such as the Roxbury company, who appear to have been the first unit of a truly organized state militia structure after the revolution. They were thus commonly referred to as the 1st Company, even when combined into larger battalion and regiments sized structures. The men of the Roxbury Artillery represent a long tradition of Americans setting aside their daily lives to take up the cause of liberty and freedom, with the previously mentioned book describing them as "Citizen-soldiers, citizens who serve as soldiers when necessary, without relinquishing their civil occupations, part-time fighting men—such have always been the chief reliance of free peoples when it becomes necessary to defend their territory or to enforce their sovereign will." This is an American tradition that has evolved over time evolving into both the various states' National Guard organizations, as well as the constitutionally enshrined right of everyday citizens to keep and bear arms. The Roxbury Artillery were present in 1789 to receive and escort President George Washington, as well as in 1793 in the funeral procession of Massachusetts patriot and Founding Father John Hancock. During the second war with Britain, which broke out in 1812, the Roxbury Artillery, along with various other Massachusetts militia units, manned the defenses around Boston and along the coast, keeping the Royal Navy out at sea. In 1844, the 5th Regiment of Artillery was organized within the Massachusetts militia, consisting of the 1st, the Roxbury Artillery; 4th, the Dorchester Artillery; 6th, the Columbian Artillery; 7th, the Washington Artillery; and 8th, the Boston Artillery, though the Dorchester artillery was disbanded the following year. It was during this time that mention is made of Captain Benjamin H. Burrell, who is believed to be the recipient of this pepperbox, of the 1st Roxbury Company, where he is noted as holding the rank from 1843 to 1845, as well as listed as dying in 1848, though this appears to be an error. The “Boston Evening Transcript” on 9 March 1849, lists “Benj. H. Burrell” as embarking on the ship “Sweden”, headed for San Francisco, quite possibly as part of the California Gold Rush, while a Massachusetts death certificate lists a Benjamin Burrell as having died in 1850 of dysentery while returning from California. That same Benjamin Henry Burrell is listed as having a son named Isaac Sanderson Burrell, who would continue the connection to the Roxbury Artillery, as he became captain of the 1st Company in 1853. By 1853, the 5th Regiment of Artillery had grown to eight companies under Colonel Robert Cowdin, who had assumed command of the regiment in 1850. With the outbreak of the Civil War and the call of volunteers, most of these companies were converted to infantry, with some of them forming the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, which has the distinction of being the first state regiment to answer President Lincoln’s call and arrive in Washington, D.C. In October of 1862, Isaac S. Burrell was commissioned as colonel of the 42nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which went on to take part in the Battle of Galveston. It is quite likely that this particular pepperbox was a gift of admiration to Captain Benjamin Henry Burrell from the men of the 1st Company, Roxbury Artillery, likely before his departure for California, a treacherous journey which he did not survive. Manufactured c. 1847 to 1849, these pepperbox revolvers were widely popular during the California Gold Rush, and it would have made a fantastic gift for a man departing in search of gold or a related business venture. The pistol itself follows the typical pattern of the Worcester production, Allen & Thurber “Standard” or “Medium Size” pepperboxes and it features beautiful factory engraving throughout. The engraving exhibits fantastic floral motifs and scrollwork, while the maker’s mark and patent marking are on two of the barrel ribs. The Allen’s patent marking is on the left of the hammer. It is fitted with a pair of attractive smooth ivory grips with a silver escutcheon on either side, the left engraved with “Presented to Captain B.H. Burrell” in three lines, while the right has “by the Roxbury Artillery”, also in three lines.

Manufacturer: Allen & Thurber

Model: Pepperbox

BBL: 4 inch solid rib

Gauge: 31

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: ivory

Serial Number55

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The John Dutcher Collection
  • Condition: Fine as a historic and well-traveled American pepperbox, retaining much of the attractively aged, dark silver plating on the flash shield and the balance mostly a grey-brown patina, some scattered light handling marks, and crisp engraving. The grips are very fine with a few short age lines, attractively aged tone, aged patina on the silver, and crisp inscriptions. Mechanically functions. This is a historic Massachusetts treasure that also appears to have very solid links to the Civil War, the western frontier, and the California Gold Rush!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000