Merwin Hulbert 1

This 1st Model, Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Army revolver, is FULLY engraved NY Style( Wexell & DeGress and MH&Co. Bodenstein Engraver  Characteristics  Most interesting is the Frame !! The left side Panel scene is a sitting howling wolf !!the right side Frame is HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

It is ENGRAVED with the 1876 Great Seal of the State of Texas( Coat of Arms) . Amazing, all the original parts are still present, even the Lanyard Ring. ALL the ” Bee Hive” buttons, ALL parts are factory original It has all the early characteristics of the First/First Model, 2 screw for trigger and guard , barrel wedge and Orange Mottled Grips. ALL screw heads are clean and have straight slots. Despite the Cylinder issue, it is still 100% mechanically correct !. The twist and pull cartridge ejection system, and the working action of cocking, locking and indexing.

Today it is a dark gray untouched original patina with all the Engraving still present and visible

MOST IMPORTANT: The right side of the frame is ENGRAVED with the 1876 Coat of Arms of TEXAS. Which leads me to  the fact it comes with Research Letter . Detailing the 1876 Coat of Arms of Texas, PLUS information from ranger Museum, as OBVIOUSLY ONLY a Ranger, or TEXAS GOVERNMENT Official would Have a Merwin revolver with the Coat of Arms engraved on the frame !!!! It has characteristic engraving of NY/ Wexell & DeGress, plus some touches of Otto Bodenstein engraving.

Somehow in the day, a cartridge was fired, perhaps, the wrong one or loaded with too much black powder. It fired and blew out One Chamber That is present today. A shame as everything still operates correctly. Serial No.1863, has all matching Assembly Numbers, it is a 100% factory original revolver VERY HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT : it once was owned by the State of Texas, a TX. Ranger, Law Enforcement Officer, or Texas Government Official in 1876

The documentation letter also has illustrations of the 1876 Coat of Arm of Texas , so there is
NO< NO question that it is in fact a Texas Merwin.

If you like the Old West, and Texas, this Merwin embodies it all !! A real piece of history.

This Merwin, Hulbert 1st Model @1875-1876 is a true survivor of the frontier. I would say having seen use and exposure. Serial No. 66X currently has about 25-30% of the original factory nickel finish. the balance is a dark gray patina, with some darker spots present. However, the finish is an all original patina, it has never been cleaned or buffed, it is as 150 years  has brought it to us. Amazingly it has the original Ivory grips, in delightful condition. They have that old luster and the light mustard patina, and best of all, NO, damage !! It makes for a total image of the Pocket Army. It has matching Assembly Numbers of 47X. ALL ! parts are the original factory parts it was shipped with ! The original “BEE HIVE” buttons are still present as well as other parts.

MOST IMPORTANT: For Merwin’s is the working actions, This Pocket Army has 100% correct working actions. The unique twist and pull cartridge ejection system function totally correctly.

The cocking, locking and indexing to fire function 100% correctly There is even some hints of case color on the hammer. NO mechanical problems here ! Rough but ready!

History always leaves us with the question what, when and where did you play your role ? however, I think with the case of early Merwin Army revolvers the Western Frontier was their role. Perhaps even more specific, the really harsh Frontier of the Southwest. Merwins’ were quite popular an many shipped to Wexell & DeGress in Mexico, with many finding homes along the Texas Border. The carved Ivory grips were very popular with the Mexican Snake & Eagle, not to say they were not found throughout the West, but more in the Southwest Frontier. Serial No.566X is very colorful and fits the possibilities very well. It is ALL matching, with Assembly Number A3402 . ALL factory applied markings are clear: barrel address, serial number and assembly numbers. ALL parts are the factory original. SIGNIFICANT: ALL the working actions are 100% correct. That includes the twist and pull cartridge ejection system, closure of the revolver, cylinder rotation for loading, cocking and indexing, releasing to fire. This is a perfect mechanical Merwin, as it was designed. FINISH: there is about 30-35% original nickel present/ mostly on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder flutes and some on barrel. The balance is a soft gray patina with some darker gray , BUT untouched and natural. The Ivory grips are outstanding, original to the Merwin, and obtained that PERFECT mustard patina, with a extremely artistic rendering of the Snake & eagle perched on a Prickly Pear Cactus.
This Merwin exudes the charisma of the Western Frontier, a prized possession, and proud to show it off !!!