 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Antique MERWIN & BRAY Front Loading PLANT MFG. Spur Trigger “ARMY” Revolver “Cup Primed” CIVIL WAR ERA Revolver
Guns International #: 102259479 Seller's Inventory #: 228497
Category: Civil War Revolvers - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1466
Total Number of Listings: 29942
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
Antique MERWIN & BRAY Front Loading PLANT MFG. Spur Trigger “ARMY” Revolver
“Cup Primed” CIVIL WAR ERA Revolver
Here we present an antique Merwin & Bray Front Loading Plant Manufacturing Company “Army” Model Revolver, made circa 1864 in New Haven, Connecticut. Approximately 8,000 of these six-shot revolvers were produced during the mid-1860s, firing their patented “cup primed” cartridge. This particular example of a Plant’s Manufacturing Company Front Loading “Army” Revolver is a Third Model. The 3rd models were produced in the 700-8000 serial number range. As with most of the firearms Merwin was involved with, the guns were always undergoing evolution and improvements to make them as perfect as possible. The 3rd Model guns were made in two types, the majority were the “heavy framed” version in the 700-6800 serial number range, with the last guns produced with a lighter, thinner frame and a “pinched” site groove in the top strap. These “light frame” 3rd Model Type II guns were produced in the 6800-8000 serial number range.
Makers of revolvers during the American Civil War had three choices: 1) they could take their chances violating the Smith & Wesson owned Rollin White Patent for the concept of a “bored through cylinder” to accept metallic cartridges, 2) they could continue to make percussion guns with all of their disadvantages, or 3) they could invent their own concept that was both an improvement over percussion guns and circumvented the Rollin White Patent. The latter option is what Plant’s chose.
The gun was about the same size as Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver but was much easier to reload and packed more firepower into the same sized package. As a result, the Plant’s Manufacturing Company Front Loading “Army” Revolver became a popular choice for the armed citizen and military officer of the mid-1860’s. The robust, solid frame design was much stronger than its direct competitor, the Smith & Wesson #2 “Old Army”, and the .42 cartridge packed more punch than the S&W in .32 rimfire.
Plant’s Mfg. Co. was financed and represented by the famed firearms agents Merwin & Bray, hence their name on the revolver. The managing partner in the firm of Merwin & Bray was Joseph Merwin, who would one day go on to produce some of the finest cartridge revolvers in the world, under the name Merwin, Hulbert & Company. Merwin would also go on to be one of the primary shareholders in Hopkins & Allen (formerly the Bacon Firearms Company) and one of the largest investors in the Evans Repeating Firearms Company. Merwin was a firearm visionary and was always on the forefront of repeating cartridge firearms technology during the mid-19th century. Their revolver featured a “cup-primed” and front-loading concept, which was among the best attempts to get around S&W’s 12-1/2 year stronghold on cartridge revolvers. They found relative success with the public rather than with the military.
The overall condition is near fine. Nice patina and a good amount of original silver plate on the brass frame. The action is excellent and so is lockup. The bore is shiny bright with nice rifling. The rosewood grips are solid and in very good condition. A nice example of a scarcer Civil War period firearm.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 5-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .42 Cup-Fire
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$1600
#228497
SOLD
Antique: Yes