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Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Army 44-40 DA Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 3,250.00 USD
Merwin Hulbert & Co. Pocket Army 44-40 DA Revolver
This will be a Live Auction with Online Live and Local Bidding. Shipping Available for all items at the buyers expense. Call 800-686-4216 or visit https://northamericanauctioncompany.com/phone-bidders/ to setup phone bidding.
Offered for sale is a Large Merwin Hulbert & Company Double Action Pocket Army .44-40 Caliber Revolver. It is estimated that only several thousand of these unique handguns were manufactured for Merwin, Hulbert by Hopkins and Allen. A truly advanced design far ahead of its time and probably better than any other revolver design of the day including the Colt, Remington and Smith & Wesson companies with whom it competed. To operate, the hammer is placed at half cock and then the latch in front of the trigger guard is simply slid to the rear so that the entire barrel/cylinder group rotates to the side. It can then be pulled forward to eject all shells simultaneously as the case rims are ingeniously held in the recoil shield behind the cylinder. Further, by then pressing inward on the spring loaded lever on the left forward side of the frame, the entire barrel and cylinder can be slid off the frame for cleaning. Reloading is simply accomplished by sliding down the loading gate on the right side of the frame and inserting fresh loaded cartridges. This model was designed or hard service and includes an all steel projection of the solid frame which doubles as a little finger rest as well as a “skull crusher/steel knuckler” for hand to hand fighting. This feature also made the Pocket Army popular with lawmen who often were called to break up fights or subdue miscreants without using lethal force. Can be fired single action by cocking the hammer manually and then pulling the trigger or double action by simply pulling the trigger which cocks the hammer and fires the weapon in one motion. Correctly marked on the left side of the barrel, “HOPKINS & ALLEN MFG. CO. NORWICH, CONN. U.S.A.” over “PAT. APR. 17, ’77 JUNE 15, ’80, MAR. 24, ’82.” The left side of the frame below the cylinder is marked “CALIBRE 1873 WINCHESTER” indicating this big six shot revolver was chambered for the popular and powerful .44-40 cartridge of Winchester Model 1873 fame. Adding to the desirability and rarity of this particular example is the fact that it was originally manufactured with a blue'd finish which was special order as nickel finish was considered standard on this model. Good aged blue still remains on some of the more protected areas. The hard rubber factory grips have mellowed to a deep olive/brown color and are in excellent condition with remarkably no cracks or chips. Obviously carried and used, this example exhibits good mechanics and even retains a mostly bright bore. A seldom offered big caliber handgun of the Old West Frontier. Few even advanced antique firearms collections can boast one of these handsome and robust handguns. Especially rare in this short barrel 3 1/4" length and blue finish. This revolver was manufactured in the 1880's. Antique firearm. NO FFL transfer or NICS background check required. The serial number is 5939.