Merwin & Hulbert Medium Frame .38 S&W 3.5″ Folding Hammer Revolver Antique
SOLD FOR: $1090
LSB#: 210606JV10
Make: Merwin, Hulbert, & Co.
Model: Medium Frame Double Action
Serial Number: 10078
Year of Manufacture: 1880s
Caliber: .38 S&W
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action 5-Shot Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MERWIN HULBERT & CO. NEW YORK U.S.A. / PAT. APR. 17. 77 JUNE 15. 80. MAR. 14. 82. JAN. 9. 83”. The left side of the frame is marked “38 CAL”. The back of the cylinder is marked “10078”. The rear of the barrel is marked “10078”. The right side of the folding hammer is marked “Pat’d / JAN. 27. 85” and the front is marked “631”. The butt of the grip frame is marked “10078”. The left side of the grip frame is marked “2803” and the interior of the right grip panel is marked “2803”.
Barrel Length: 3 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to the barrel, and the rear sight is “V” notch in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with smooth borders and diamonds around the grip screw escutcheons. There are some little marks on the smooth portions. The checkering has rub wear and some smooth spots but the majority is defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is light pitting and scattered erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are some little spots that are cloudy, some of the most noticeable are on the sides of the rib. There are some little nicks and scratches, some of the most noticeable are on the sideplate and left side of the frame. There are some little spots of finish loss, mostly on the sides of the grip but there is another on the sideplate. There are some little marks on the backs of the recoil shield. There are some spots of discoloration from previous oxidation and thinning on the hammer, trigger, and trigger guard. The screws are sharp to lightly used. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup produces some light side-to-side play. The barrel has some play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Merwin, Hulbert & Co. were not actually manufacturers or makers of guns. There were a group of New York City gun and sporting goods dealers who had a major interest in Hopkins & Allen Firearms of Connecticut and had Hopkins & Allen make guns for them under their own name. Sometimes they sold guns marked with the Hopkins & Allen name, and some guns were marked with both names, but all were made by Hopkins & Allen in Connecticut. This is a .38 Medium Frame Double Action folding hammer revolver with a nickel finish and black hard rubber grips. This model pistol has a latch on the bottom of the frame which when pushed back, with the hammer in quarter-cock, allows the barrel and cylinder to be twisted off the frame, finally released by a 2nd latch on the left side of the barrel’s underlug. The revolver also has a loading gate, which is pushed down to get access to the cylinders, although there is no provision for an ejector. This pistol retains its original nickel finish and it is parts matching, in about Very Good-Fine condition as Antique. This is a really nice Antique double action with a very interesting design that should appeal to all with an appreciation of firearms history. We expect the collectors of early American revolvers and those of Hopkins & Allen and Merwin Hulbert in particular to be very interested in this revolver. Please see our photos and good luck!