RARE CASED ENGRAVED MERWIN & HULBERT POCKET MODEL SPUR TRIGGER REVOLVER.

RARE CASED ENGRAVED MERWIN & HULBERT POCKET MODEL SPUR TRIGGER REVOLVER. SN 3628. Cal. 38 S&W. Nickel finish with scarce 3-3/4″ keyhole shape bbl, half moon front sight and 2-line Hopkins & Allen address on top of rib. It has 5-shot scooped flute cyl and is mounted with square butt hard rubber grips with deep relief dogs’ heads at the top and matching numbered to this revolver. Left side of frame has the Merwin & Hulbert address and right side of frame the caliber marking. Frame has spur trigger. Revolver is spectacularly engraved, probably by the very famous master engraver Gustave Young with extremely fine detailed foliate arabesque patterns and wavy borders around both sides. Rear points of frame are engraved with heart patterns with a large heart pattern at top rear of frame. Foliate arabesque and leaf & vine patterns extend over the sides of the bbl with foliate & floral patterns on right side of bbl lug. Top strap & each side of hammer slot along with edge of recoil shield are engraved in feather patterns. Backstrap is engraved in matching foliate arabesque patterns with fine stippled background. Accompanied by its orig New York exhibition style hinged lid black leather covered casing with black & gold embossed lines around the lid. Interior is red satin lined with a bright royal blue satin hinge cover and a matching diagonal blue ribbon inside lid. Bottom is recessed for the revolver and the left front is set with a cartridge block for 32 cartridges containing 31 early style beveled rim, copper primed 38 S&W cartridges. The assembly number “3756” was observed on the left side of the buttstrap, under the grip, which number is also found on rear face of bbl lug, rear face of cyl and inside right grip. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms these revolvers were produced in the 1880s with an unknown quantity manufactured and he states they are “scarce” and that the scoop flute cylinders are “rare”. Given that this model is very rare and with its exceptional engraving and the exhibition/presentation style casing it is almost certain that this revolver was for an exhibit. Merwin & Hulbert were not manufacturers but were, in fact, distributors who would discover a good product, purchase the patent and contract with an established company to have it manufactured such as the Hopkins & Allen Company for their revolvers. Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were quite popular with users from all walks of life with their ease of ejecting empty casings with the simple push of a button, a short pull and return to battery for reloading through the part in the right recoil shield. Unfortunately they came onto the market late with an inadequate distribution system and so never reached their potential. A large number of the Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were sold in Mexico and are seldom found with high original finish. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes (1980); Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching, probably unfired. Overall retains virtually all of its crisp orig nickel finish with no discernible flaws. Hammer & trigger retain all of their crisp bright case colors; grips are equally crisp & new with no discernible diamond point wear. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore. Case has a few nicks & dings and shows moderate wear on outside; interior is bright & clean. 4-45332 JR76 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	1645	$12,650.00	RARE CASED ENGRAVED MERWIN & HULBERT POCKET MODEL SPUR TRIGGER REVOLVER. SN 3628. Cal. 38 S&W. Nickel finish with scarce 3-3/4″ keyhole shape bbl, half moon front sight and 2-line Hopkins & Allen address on top of rib. It has 5-shot scooped flute cyl and is mounted with square butt hard rubber grips with deep relief dogs’ heads at the top and matching numbered to this revolver. Left side of frame has the Merwin & Hulbert address and right side of frame the caliber marking. Frame has spur trigger. Revolver is spectacularly engraved, probably by the very famous master engraver Gustave Young with extremely fine detailed foliate arabesque patterns and wavy borders around both sides. Rear points of frame are engraved with heart patterns with a large heart pattern at top rear of frame. Foliate arabesque and leaf & vine patterns extend over the sides of the bbl with foliate & floral patterns on right side of bbl lug. Top strap & each side of hammer slot along with edge of recoil shield are engraved in feather patterns. Backstrap is engraved in matching foliate arabesque patterns with fine stippled background. Accompanied by its orig New York exhibition style hinged lid black leather covered casing with black & gold embossed lines around the lid. Interior is red satin lined with a bright royal blue satin hinge cover and a matching diagonal blue ribbon inside lid. Bottom is recessed for the revolver and the left front is set with a cartridge block for 32 cartridges containing 31 early style beveled rim, copper primed 38 S&W cartridges. The assembly number “3756” was observed on the left side of the buttstrap, under the grip, which number is also found on rear face of bbl lug, rear face of cyl and inside right grip. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms these revolvers were produced in the 1880s with an unknown quantity manufactured and he states they are “scarce” and that the scoop flute cylinders are “rare”. Given that this model is very rare and with its exceptional engraving and the exhibition/presentation style casing it is almost certain that this revolver was for an exhibit. Merwin & Hulbert were not manufacturers but were, in fact, distributors who would discover a good product, purchase the patent and contract with an established company to have it manufactured such as the Hopkins & Allen Company for their revolvers. Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were quite popular with users from all walks of life with their ease of ejecting empty casings with the simple push of a button, a short pull and return to battery for reloading through the part in the right recoil shield. Unfortunately they came onto the market late with an inadequate distribution system and so never reached their potential. A large number of the Merwin & Hulbert revolvers were sold in Mexico and are seldom found with high original finish. PROVENANCE: Tommy Rholes (1980); Robert Howard Estate Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching, probably unfired. Overall retains virtually all of its crisp orig nickel finish with no discernible flaws. Hammer & trigger retain all of their crisp bright case colors; grips are equally crisp & new with no discernible diamond point wear. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore. Case has a few nicks & dings and shows moderate wear on outside; interior is bright & clean. 4-45332 JR76 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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