Antique Rare Civil War Era /  Merwin & Bray Front-Loading (Cup Fire) Pocket Revolver
Guns International #: 103080031 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Antique Revolvers - Cartridge - Civil War Revolvers

Seller's Information
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Verified Seller
Seller: steve03038
Member Since: 9/13/13
State: Florida
Country: United States
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 37
Total Number of Listings: 113
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.

Payment Types Accepted: Personal check, bank check, postal money order, Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App



Description:
Antique Rare Civil War Era /  Merwin & Bray Front-Loading (Cup Fire) Pocket Revolver

Merwin & Bray Firearms Co. – Plant’s Manufacturing Co. Pocket Revolver
Circa 1864–1868 | .30 Caliber Cup-Primed | 5-Shot | Front-Loading SN: 1612

?? General Description:
    |>
  • |>Type: Antique Pocket Revolv
    • |>
  • Caliber: .30 Cup-Primed Metallic Cartridge
  • Capacity: 5-Shot Cylinder
  • Loading Type: Front-Loading (proprietary cup-primed cartridges)
  • Barrel: 3½" Octagonal with Rib
  • Action: Single Action
  • Trigger: Spur trigger
  • Grips: Square-butt rosewood grips in very good condition with minor handling marks
  • Condition: lightly oxidized bore with minor pin-prick pitting and showing strong rifling throughout. Mechanically works excellent with very good timing and lock-up. Hammer holds in half and full-cock positions with a strong hammer spring. To remove the cylinder you remove the cylinder pin , pull the hammer back slightly , not in half cock and the cylinder will fall out. Replace the same way careful not to catch the cylinder hand lever.
|> ?? Markings:
  • Top of Barrel: "Merwin & Bray Firearms Co. New York"
  • Cylinder: "PAT. JULY.12.1859. JULY.21.1863"
  • Manufacturer: Plant’s Manufacturing Co., New Haven, Connecticut (not marked on all models but confirmed by design and construction)
?? Finish & Materials:
  • Frame: Brass, now developing a warm ochre patina, with traces of original silver plating
  • Barrel & Cylinder: Originally blued, now a smooth, uniform gun-metal gray patina
  • Grips: Polished rosewood with light aging – retains solid finish and tight fit
?? Historical Context:
  • Total Production: Approx. 20,000 units
  • Era: American Civil War & Reconstruction (1864–1868)
  • Use: Privately purchased and carried as a personal sidearm by civilians and Union officers
  • Design Note: Developed to circumvent the Smith & Wesson Rollin White patent by using a front-loading cylinder with non-reloadable metallic cartridges
?? Collectibility & Value Factors:
  • Rarity: Unique cup-primed front-loading system with limited total production
  • Condition Highlights: Original rosewood grips, attractive aged patina, legible cylinder patent dates
  • Historic Appeal: Civil War private-purchase weapon; iconic transitional revolver bridging percussion and metallic cartridge eras
  • Display Presence: Compact, distinct octagonal barrel and brass frame with aged silver traces – very appealing to collectors of early American firearms.
As a collector's piece,  Merlin & Bray Firearms Co. Front loading Revolver,  holds historical significance due to its association with an influential figure in American firearms history and its representation of mid-19th-century firearm design and innovation. Its unique markings and features make it a desirable item for enthusiasts of antique firearms and collectors of historical artifacts.  This gun is and Antique and ships direct to the buyer with FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED
Payment can be made with a personal check, money order, Venmo or Zelle .
 

Price: $775.00

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .30 RF
Manufacturer: Plant's Manufacturing
Model: Merwin & Bray
Serial Number: 1612
Barrel Length: 3 1/2