Ethan Allen hinge breech shotgun

[Ken Snyder]

Ken,
That's a really lovely example of an Ethan Allen hinge breech, congratulations! This was a really unique and innovative design. As mentioned, it required the use of a proprietary shell. I love the way the extractor functions. The trigger guard is hinged at the front, by pulling the rearward portion down with the hinged breech open you will see the extractors move rearward thus allowing removal of a spent shell. Most examples I've seen, including mine, have very thin BWT at the muzzles, often referred to as "biscuit cutters".
Very nice higher grade example, thank you for posting!
Ken

[double barrel]

Ken you are right about the muzzle wall thickness, I believe choke boring had not been thought of yet as the tubes have no choke. My bore measure about 25 thousandths.

[double barrel]

I did a little investigative work and found the patent of this shotgun and still feel that 1865 as the original start date of manufacture.