Merwin & Hulbert Large Frame Double Action .44-40 WCF 7″ Revolver Antique
SOLD FOR: $2075
LSB#: 220111MZ001
Make: Hopkins & Allen manufactured this revolver for Merwin, Hulbert & Co. who distributed the revolvers.
Model: Large Frame Double Action
Serial Number: 21142
Year of Manufacture: 1880s
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Twist-lock Barrel and Side-Loading Gate 6 Round Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “CALIBRE / WINCHESTER” and “1873”. The left side of the grip frame under the grip is marked “4177”. The rear face of the cylinder and the rear face of the barrel lug are marked “4177”. The left side of the barrel is marked “HOPKINS & ALLEN Manufacturing Co. Norwich, Conn. U.S.A.” but some of these markings are worn away. 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.”.
Barrel Length: 7”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a half-round blade integral with the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in a boss at the top of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black hard rubber on a square butt grip frame. There is a crack loss on the left grip along the back edge at the top. There are losses on the bottom faces that have been repaired. There are glue repairs on the grips. There are some scattered little compressions, scuffs, and light handling marks. The checkering has rub wear and is smooth. The grips are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is worn. There is erosion scattered throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish has cloudy areas. There are some swirl marks and draglines. There are a few spots of finish loss, the most noticeable are on the cylinder and have oxidized. There are a few little nicks and small scratches. There are a few tiny bubbles. There is dishing around the screwheads. There are some scuffs that have caused smooth spots. There are standard operational marks. The screwheads are lightly tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are mostly clear but some are worn away due to refinishing, most notably the markings on the left side of the barrel. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: The Merwin & Hulbert company was a firearms dealer-distributor who listed their address as New York City. They were the primary sales agents for Hopkins & Allen of Norwich, Conn., the company that manufactured their guns. Merwin & Hulbert twist-barrel revolvers were offered in three frame sizes and in .32, .38 and .44 calibers, very similar to the frame size and caliber offerings of Smith & Wesson. M&H sold “Army” models chambered in .44 Merwin-Hulbert and “Frontier” Models in .44-40 Win. A “Pocket Army” model was offered with a rounded birds-head but shape with a substantial steel “beak” below the grip panels, and the grip shape was sometimes known as the “skull crusher”. This is a model Lrge Frame Double Action revolver chambered in .44-40 Winchester. The revolver has a new nice looking nickel-plated finish and the barrel, cylinder, and frame have matching numbers. The revolver is in about Very Good with about 90% of its finish remaining. The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling and light to moderate erosion scattered throughout the bore. This is a fine example of a M&H revolver and would look great along-side a collection of other M&H revolvers but would also be a great companion gun to a Winchester lever action chambered for .44-40. There are many configurations to choose from: open top or top strap, square butt, round butt or birds-head grip, single or double action, various calibers, etc., making it very hard to form a complete collection of M&H revolvers. Please see our photos and good luck!