MERWIN, HULBERT & Co, SINGLE ACTION TOP STRAP, 44/40 FRONTIER ARMY REVOLVERS.

These revolvers are nearly a consecutive pair, with one being Serial No. 1800X, and the other being serial No. 1811X, a mere 108 serial numbers apart. The revolvers are nearly identical in condition, both with about 90%+ original nickel plate finish, the balance showing a gray patina, and in a few limited spots, a darker gray patina. Serial No. 1800X is slightly better than the other. Both of them have perfect barrel addresses, and patent lines, as well as frame caliber identification. Hammers on both show better than 75% case hardening colors remaining. Both have checkered hard rubber grips, with no damage. The unique Merwin extraction system on both revolvers functions perfectly. The cocking, cylinder alignment, and hammer release for firing all function PERFECTLY. These revolvers are very CRISP mechanically. A very HISTORICAL pair of revolvers, as in the 1880's the S.D. Prison held some very "hard case" western desperadoes. The revolvers come with impeccable documentation, coming from the last prison head of the Armory, and one time Assistant Warden at the S.D. State Penitentiary, Mr. Bernard Plymate. After retirement from the prison ,he was also the 1st Reserve Chief of Police of Minnehaha County. In addition to the Plymate documents, it comes the historical lineage of the prison which perfectly coincides with the years of production of the Merwins. These are ABSOLUTELY authentic weapons from the "tough times " in the S.D. Prison. PRICE $ 6,500

MERWIN, HULBERT & Co., 1st,1st .44mh, SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER

This Single Action .44 Army Revolver, Serial No. 58X, exhibits all of the very earliest production features:

• Open Top Frame
• Scoop Flute Cylinder
• Detent Pin
• Barrel Wedge
• Front Frame Screw
• 2 Screw drop out floor plate
• Orange mottled grips
• Short front trigger guard
• shorter cylinder

In addition to the early production features, the original factory nickel plate finish is in 99.9999% condition. The hammer has all it's case hardening colors, and the grips are as new in 1875. Without saying, all mechanical aspects of this revolver function perfectly. The patented shell extraction system, the loading, cocking, cylinder indexing, and firing, all function 100% perfectly. ALL assembly numbers are matching, and ALL parts are original to the revolver. The barrel address, is strong and perfect, as are all factory applied markings.

Early production Merwin, Hulbert & Co. revolvers are very difficult to find, and in this condition very, very scarce. This is an excellent addition for collector. PRICE $10,650

Serial No. 270X is a very fine example of the highly desired 1st Model Pocket Army. It has all the early features which are sought by collectors: scoop flutes, barrel wedge, open top frame, single action, " skull cracker" grip, and short barrel. This 1870's Pocket Army has about 98.9999% of all the original factory nickel plating, and nearly all the case hardening colors on the trigger guard, and hammer. Plus the fire blue trigger! ALL parts are original to the revolver, and ALL assembly numbers are matching. ALL facets of the mechanical operation of this pistol function with precision, and perfection. It has perfect celerity of fire. The barrel address and patents, plus the frame markings are clear and very sharp. the checkered hard rubber grips are perfect, with no wear. Screw heads are perfectly slotted, and have no wear. It is ever increasingly more difficult to find 1st Model Merwin Pocket Army's with this stout a condition. PRICE $5,975

This is quite a spectacular revolver! It is engraved with the most deluxe form of Merwin engraving, Intaglio Floral. In fact, it was patented, on November 11, 1879, and is proudly displayed on the end Label of the box. Serial No. 31XX is UNFIRED condition. It has 100% of the original factory nickel plate finish, and all the case hardening color on hammer, trigger, and trigger guard. All the mechanical functions: opening, ejecting, closing, loading, cocking, indexing, and firing ALL function correctly, and with exact precision.

The revolver if further enhanced by a Pair of Mother of Pearl grips, alive with age and color, and original to the Merwin. Also, free from any damage. Almost all the various colored Jewelers enamel is still in the punch dot patterns, red, green, and black. The panel scene is also quite detailed, and shows a bird! As said earlier, this is a colossal specimen of an original Floral Intaglio engraved DA .38 Merwin, maybe the best ! PRICE $4,950

Serial No. 16XX reigns supreme, with 99.9999% of all the original factory nickel plate finish, all the case hardening color on hammer, all the fire blue on trigger, and PERFECT brilliant Mottled Orange grips. This revolver has ALL the early features:

• Open Top Frame
• Scoop Flutes in Cylinder
• Detent Pin
• 2 screw frame
• drop out floor plate
• orange mottled grips
• barrel wedge
• .44 Merwin caliber

All parts are ORIGINAL to the revolver, and ALL Assembly numbers are matching. All of the unique features of a Merwin function perfectly. The twist and pull ejection system, the loading, cocking, indexing, and firing all function with exact precision. All factory applied roll dies, such as barrel address, and numbering, are clear and perfect. This Merwin has never been fired, and remains in new condition.

PRICE $18,500

***TRANSITION ***SINGLE ACTION ARMY, TOP STRAP w/ SCOOP FLUTES !!

MERWIN, HULBERT & CO. SINGLE ACTION ..TOP STRAP, .44 MH CALIBER / FACTORY PEARL GRIPS.

This is an incredibly scarce revolver, it is believed less than 50 were ever manufactured in this configuration. Merwin, Hulbert changed from the "scoop flute" cylinders, at the same time as they discontinued using the "open top" frame. The mind set of the manufacturers of the 19th century is completely different than today, frugality ruled! Nothing was to be wasted, as it all cost money! So, there were a few scoop flute cylinders left, they were fitted to the new top strap models. In reviewing the Merwin texts, it seems that only 50 or less, are true TRANSITION Army revolvers. Serial No. 220XX is one of the rare transitional revolvers. having the top strap frame, but a scoop flute cylinder. To halt any questions as to originality, ALL the assembly numbers are matching!!! In addition to the configuration, it is chambered for the .44 Merwin cartridge. All the way around, this is a scarce Merwin. Today, it has about 60 -75% of the original factory nickel plating, the balance is a gray patina. The Mother of Pearl grips are superb, showing perfect and harmonious wear, but still retaining the fire and color. The patented ejection system operates perfectly. The revolver cocks and locks into position, and correctly indexes to fire. All factory applied roll dies, such as barrel address, and frame caliber marking, are clear and very legible.

All parts are original to the revolver. This is a very seldom encountered opportunity for the Merwin, and or frontier revolver collector to fill a very unusual slot in their collection.  PRICE $3,250

Serial No. 71XX is a splendid example of a Double Action .38, with the standard spur hammer. it is Factory Engraved, and has the 3-1/2 inch barrel. Highlighting the revolver, is a superb pair of original to the revolver, Ivory grips. The grips today have that mellow cream yellow patina that Ivory has after a hundred plus years. The Da has about 98-99% of all the original factory nickel plating, and the case hardening colors on the trigger, hammer, and trigger guard are 50% showing they have faded over the years.

The revolver has a wonderful panel scene of a sail ship, approaching a cabin on shore. All parts are original to the Merwin, ALL assembly numbers also match. ALL mechanical functions from loading to unloading, and firing work flawlessly.  An excellent examp[le for the collector. PRICE $ 3,250

TRANSITION FRONTIER MODEL .44MH , SINGLE ACTION/ BIRDS HEAD GRIP in BLUE !

In the early 1880's Merwin, Hulbert & Co. was going through a design change. They were changing from the  "Open Top " style revolver, to a more improved " Top Strap " Model, with straight flute cylinders, to give greater strength and stability to the Frontier Model. However, frugality was the main heart of 19th century manufacturing, waste nothing ! On the very first revolvers with top straps, they used up, all the "old " scoop flute cylinders. Besides the new top strap, to save production time and money, they went to the straight cut standard fluted cylinder. Maybe ? a handful of these revolvers exist today, this is ONE OF THEM.  Serial No. 40XX , has completely MATCHING,  assembly numbers, and is totally correct in this configuration. In addition to all of this, is is finished in the BLUE, less than 2% of all Merwin's were finished in the blue. Plus, it is still in the .44 Merwin caliber. All of the unique mechanical functions of a Merwin function correctly, and it cocks, and locks for firing. The hard rubber grips are in excellent condition , with no damage. A rare chance for the collector of Merwin's !  PRICE $ 3,500