FINE PRESENTATION 1ST MODEL MERWIN & HULBERT ARMY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.

SN 6379. Cal. 44 M&H. Nickel finish with 7″ rnd bbl, integral front sight and 1-line Merwin & Hulbert address on top with Hopkins & Allen manufacturer’s address on left side. It has square butt grip frame with lanyard swivel and is mounted with red & black marbled, checkered hard rubber grips. This is the 1st type revolver with open top frame and scooped flute cylinder. Back strap is engraved in period script “A.H.B. to F.C.B. 12/25.78”. The SN is found on butt strap and assembly “3850” is on the left side of butt strap under the grip, also on cyl spindle, rear face of cyl and rear face of bbl lug. Production figures for the Merwin & Hulbert are unknown but Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms states that production is estimated at only a few thousand. Merwin & Hulbert were not themselves manufacturers but dealers & promoters who contracted the manufacturing process to established firearms makers, in this case Hopkins & Allen. These revolvers were very popular on the American frontier with lawmen & others for their rapidity of unloading & reloading. Once all the cartridges were fired, a simple twist & pull of the bbl/cyl assembly emptied the cyl which could then be re-closed and rapidly reloaded through the loading gate on right side of frame. Unfortunately by the time the Merwin & Hulbert emerged on the scene Colt had a 3-year head start with their distribution system and in government contracts. In addition the early Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were introduced in their proprietary calibers such as found here. That ammunition was not always readily available which depressed sales until the company began chambering their revolvers in standard calibers. Merwin & Hulbert marketed these fine revolvers in several different models and calibers only from 1876-1880. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching except grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains virtually all of its fine orig nickel finish with only some very fine pin prick flaking on sides of frame. Hammer retains about all of its orig case colors, turned a little dark. Grips are crisp, mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 49450-12 (14,000-17,000) – Lot 2261

Auction: Firearms - March 2016

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2261	$16,100.00	FINE PRESENTATION 1ST MODEL MERWIN & HULBERT ARMY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. SN 6379. Cal. 44 M&H. Nickel finish with 7″ rnd bbl, integral front sight and 1-line Merwin & Hulbert address on top with Hopkins & Allen manufacturer’s address on left side. It has square butt grip frame with lanyard swivel and is mounted with red & black marbled, checkered hard rubber grips. This is the 1st type revolver with open top frame and scooped flute cylinder. Back strap is engraved in period script “A.H.B. to F.C.B. 12/25.78”. The SN is found on butt strap and assembly “3850” is on the left side of butt strap under the grip, also on cyl spindle, rear face of cyl and rear face of bbl lug. Production figures for the Merwin & Hulbert are unknown but Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms states that production is estimated at only a few thousand. Merwin & Hulbert were not themselves manufacturers but dealers & promoters who contracted the manufacturing process to established firearms makers, in this case Hopkins & Allen. These revolvers were very popular on the American frontier with lawmen & others for their rapidity of unloading & reloading. Once all the cartridges were fired, a simple twist & pull of the bbl/cyl assembly emptied the cyl which could then be re-closed and rapidly reloaded through the loading gate on right side of frame. Unfortunately by the time the Merwin & Hulbert emerged on the scene Colt had a 3-year head start with their distribution system and in government contracts. In addition the early Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were introduced in their proprietary calibers such as found here. That ammunition was not always readily available which depressed sales until the company began chambering their revolvers in standard calibers. Merwin & Hulbert marketed these fine revolvers in several different models and calibers only from 1876-1880. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching except grips which are unnumbered. Overall retains virtually all of its fine orig nickel finish with only some very fine pin prick flaking on sides of frame. Hammer retains about all of its orig case colors, turned a little dark. Grips are crisp, mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 49450-12 (14,000-17,000) – Lot 2261 Auction: Firearms - March 2016 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FINE PRESENTATION 1ST MODEL MERWIN & HULBERT ARMY SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER.