Guns International #: 103273159
Seller's Inventory #: 250011

Category - Merwin & Hulbert Revolvers - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge

Category
Merwin & Hulbert Revolvers
Antique Revolvers - Cartridge

Antique MERWIN, HULBERT & Co. Large Frame .44 SINGLE ACTION ARMY Revolver WILD WEST Single Action Army “FRONTIER” Revolver

Description:
Antique MERWIN, HULBERT & Co. Large Frame .44 SINGLE ACTION ARMY Revolver 

WILD WEST Single Action Army “FRONTIER” Revolver

Here we present an antique Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Second Model “Frontier” Large Frame Single Action Revolver, made between 1878 and 1882 in Norwich, Connecticut. This Army features 6 shots of .44-40 WCF or, as Merwin & Hulbert put it: “CALIBRE WINCHESTER 1873”. These revolvers are considered today to be some of the best made of the late 19th Century and the Wild West, even better to some than similar Colts and Smith & Wessons, though we all know who stood the test of time. These revolvers certainly tended to have different, very well-thought features than their competition, and they were extremely well-made. During its 12-year life, Merwin, Hulbert & Co. produced no fewer than 14 different revolvers. The Frontier Model was a large-frame single action, and later double-action, meant to compete with the Colt Single Action Army, 1875 Remington and Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolvers.

The Frontier revolver was made in four variations. The First Model, made between 1876 and 1878, was chambered in the proprietary .44 Merwin & Hulbert, similar to Smith & Wesson’s .44 American cartridge. It was an open-top, single-action revolver that was mostly seen with a nickel finish. One distinctive feature was the “scoop”-type cylinder flutes that did not extend all the way to the front of the cylinder. The Frontier First Model was made for just two years.

The introduction of the .44-40 Winchester caliber (aka Winchester 1873) in the 2nd Model was an attempt to capture the market of those who preferred the same cartridge for rifle and revolver, acknowledging the popularity of the Winchester rifles of the day. The .44-40 became by far the most popular caliber for the Frontier throughout the remainder of the series. Production of the 2nd model lasted from 1878 to 1882.

The Third Model, made between 1883 and 1887, had several significant changes, chief of which was the introduction of a top strap to give the revolver more strength and reliability. Other changes included were the elimination of the barrel wedge, extending the scoop flutes to the more popular 3/4 flutes seen on competing revolvers and the incorporation of a folding hammer spur to make the revolver easier to draw from concealment.

A Fourth Model included a barrel rib and, for the first time, two additional barrel lengths, 3 ½” and 5 1/2”, in addition to the standard 7” barrel length. The front sight became a separate component to the barrel as well. Customers could buy the additional barrels and change them without tools. The Fourth Model enjoyed some popularity as an alternative to the Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Remington revolvers. They exhibited a degree of craftsmanship coveted by many collectors today.

One great feature was the method of ejection. Loading was achieved by placing the hammer at half-cock and sliding down the loading gate to single feed cartridges. If one wanted to unload the gun, they could simply push the latch back on the bottom of the gun, twist the barrel and cylinder assembly and pull forward. Only the empty brass would come out as the space created was shorter than a loaded cartridge, enabling the shooter to top of his gun and keep rounds available. An ingenious method was designed to achieve this that included a machined cut on the cylinder axis pin and a ledge on the breech face that kept the cartridge rims underneath. This system was also advantageous for forcefully removing stuck cartridges, providing lots of mechanical advantage.

Merwin & Hulbert arms were owned or carried by number of famous frontier lawmen and notables, including Texas Ranger Frank Hamer (who ambushed and killed Bonnie & Clyde) who carried a medium frame seven-shot .32 caliber Merwin & Hulbert. Pat Garrett (the killer of Billie the Kid) was presented with an inscribed .38 Medium Frame Merwin & Hulbert in September of 1881 from the “grateful citizens of Lincoln County”, and Diamond Dick of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show carried a Merwin & Hulbert as well. More notorious frontiersmen known to have owned and carried Merwin & Hulbert revolvers include Bob Dalton, Sam Bass, and John Wesley Hardin, just to name a few.

To give one an idea of the size of this large frame Merwin, in the earlier years it was commonly referred to as the “skull crusher”. The innovation here is an exposed metal butt with an integral lanyard loop. If in a hand-to-hand melee situation, the grip was quite an effective club.

The overall condition is very good. Much original nickel remains on the barrel. The bore is good for its age with serviceable rifling. The hammer does not hold in the cock position, and that causes some timing issues. The barrel release latch (replacement) has resistance when opening and closing. Both grips are god with average dents and dings. Markings are legible.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 6-13/16 inches.

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester Center Fire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns

$2200

#250011
 

Antique: Yes

Price: $2,200.00
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