Merwin Hulbert 1

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 !!!

This is a very seldom seen box, as it exemplifies the earliest construction, with the interior cardboard dividing walls. Later boxes were simply open interiors. Therefore this is only seen on very early production pocket revolvers, five shot .38 MH caliber, all with spur triggers. The interior upper lid has a schematic of the pistol, and how it operates. Necessary because Merwin revolvers had an extremely unique loading and shell extraction system ! The box remains in excellent condition, only light corner wear, and a solid original bottom.

This Merwin Army revolver exemplifies the determination of the company to offer a revolver to compete with all the other major Frontier revolvers of the time. Originally introduced with the 1st Model Army, it wanted a “Trade Mark” caliber, so it was chambered for the .44Merwin Hulbert cartridge. It would continue to appear sporadically in later years, but a marketing decision was made. It was early in production changed to .44WCF ( 44/40) caliber. Why? it would be more competitive with Colt, as Winchester also used this caliber. In reality in the mercantile stores on the frontier carried the most popular items in ammunition. HOWEVER, for a blink of an eye, before 44/40 they had an idea. S&W was selling a lot of revolvers, domestically and foreign. They thought why not, so they chambered LESS than 100 revolvers in 44 Russian Caliber. This idea quickly reverted to 44/40 , and the .44 Russian for Merwin was finished. It is estimated that only about 100+ or – were manufactured. I have dealt in Merwins for many years and have only seen a few others Russian Models and they were the Pocket Army Model. Despite the condition Serial No.902X, matching assembly numbers 6851, is a VERY RARE model , and if you like Merwin revolvers , worthy of a collection. REGARDING CONDITION: All parts are the original parts from the factory, including the Lanyard Ring. The original Nickel finish has seen long term use and only about 20% is still present. the balance of the revolvers in a mix of gray patina. I might add, untouched original patina. MECHANICS: The Merwin has correct functioning working mechanics, EXCEPT for the extraction process. It cocks, locks and releases to fire. Extraction of cartridges: somewhere in time, the collar was filed off, so the cylinder does not follow the barrel when twisted and pulled. I think it was too difficult for the 19th century owner, so he made it more familiar an action to other revolvers.

This is a First Model, Army revolver in 44/40 caliber, first change. What is this change? The two screws above the trigger guard were changed to a single screw, all else remained the same: open top, scoop flutes, barrel wedge and twist and pull ejection system. This Merwin, Serial No. 10725 has ALL matching Assembly Numbers of 103 and ALL parts are original to this revolver. About 30% of the original Factory Nickel finish is present, the balance is a soft gray untouched natural patina. IMPORTANT: the unique twist and pull cartridge ejection system still works 100% correctly. Mechanically, it also functions 100% correctly: cocks, locks, indexes correctly, no mechanical issues. The Merwin Army has it’s ORIGINAL Ivory grips still with the revolver after 147 years and they are not damaged. They have a wonderful “mustard” patina only age can give you. the only thing missing on the butt is the Lanyard Ring. This is quite prevalent, as many westerners didn’t like it, so it was unscrewed in the day.