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Old 11-25-2020, 05:12 PM
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Default What the heck is this pistol????

Family friend gave me this pistol to research and I have to admit for the first time in years, I am totally clueless. This persons early family had someone in the international trade business (we are talking steam ships to start with) in south and central america and beyond that, they have not knowledge of the pistol or how they ended up with it in their possession.

The only writing in english that I can make out is:
Norwich, Conn. U.S.A. located on the left side of the barrel with the A of USA ending about 1.5 inches from the breach face of the barrel. Unfortunately, I can NOT make out the word in front of Norwich.

I've been pretty confident of my knowledge of firearms but this one has me totally stumped. I measured it to be around .410 at the muzzle.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:16 PM
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Couple more pics.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:23 PM
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You probably already figured that out, but the left sideplate has the crest of "Estados Unidos de Columbia", or United States of Columbia. I am guessing that whatever company was in Norwich made it for the Columbian government, since I cannot see Columbia paying to have the special engraving done after manufacture.

The United States of Columbia ceased in 1886, replaced by the Republic of Columbia, so it pre-dates 1886 assuming the engraving is contemporary with the revolver.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:26 PM
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Looks like a Merwin Hulbert
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:27 PM
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It's a Merwin & Hulbert revolver and if your measurement is on
It's in 44 M&H cal
Cool gun!
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:27 PM
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According to Wikipedia the United States of Columbia existed from 1863 to 1886.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:30 PM
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If indeed made in America, what you have is a Merwin Hulbert.
Probably chambered for either 44-40 or 44 Merwin.
.44 Merwin is very similar in dimension to .44 Special but with a somewhat different bullet and of course much lower Blackpowder pressures.

If you have not tried yet, you can depress or slide the bottom catch and rotate the cylinder and barrel to unlock and pull forward which opens the action. The rim in the center would pull the empties out and allow them to fall and you would close and top off through the gate like a colt.

BTW very nice. I am a Merwin fan.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:31 PM
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Also, Norwich was the original home of S&W, as well as Winchester. Bacon, Crescent, and Hopkins and Allen, as well as others, all claimed Norwich as their home at one time or another. That region of Connecticut was exploding with gun manufacturing in the mid-19th century.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:33 PM
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Awesome info-thanks! I have never seen a pistol set up like this one to include the bizarre location of the bullet loading gate and what appears to be the way the pistols barrel can be quickly removed from the frame.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:40 PM
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I'd be interested to know the significance of the 5 notches on the back of the grip frame - I suspect if that gun could talk, it could tell a few tales!

John
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:08 PM
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I agree about the notches and if you look closely on the upper left grip (which I am thoroughly convinced is ivory) there are also five faint lines cut into the grip. This pistol sits in an original time period leather holster and has spent at least the last 70 plus years in a drawer untouched by anyone and that makes me confident that the notches are from the time that the pistol was carried.
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:17 PM
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Grips appear to be MOP.
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:30 PM
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As said above, the revolver is a Merwin & Hulbert Army model, made in Conn., by Hopkins and Allen Firearms. Cal .44 M&H. Will also chamber several other .44 Cals, such as the .44S&W, .44Webly, etc. These are very well made firearms, with tolerances even closer than S&W or Colt. This model is not uncommon, however with the history & provenance you have, it makes this example a one-of-a-kind, for sure ! Ed
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by copterdrvr View Post
I agree about the notches and if you look closely on the upper left grip (which I am thoroughly convinced is ivory)
Those are Mother of Pearl, not ivory. Very distinctive.
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:47 PM
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I think there was a plan underway a few years back to resurrect M&H revolvers. Not sure what happened to that.
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Old 11-25-2020, 07:07 PM
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Nice gun! I love it.
I sent a PM to Modelof1891 for you. He'll be able to tell you all about it.
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Old 11-26-2020, 08:48 AM
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Thanks to all for the info-it's been very helpful and informative. Have to admit I'm a bit embarrassed to have come across a pistol that I had absolutely NO knowledge of!!! I'm amazed at the quality and complexity of the pistols manufacture.
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Old 11-26-2020, 09:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by copterdrvr View Post
I agree about the notches and if you look closely on the upper left grip (which I am thoroughly convinced is ivory) there are also five faint lines cut into the grip. This pistol sits in an original time period leather holster and has spent at least the last 70 plus years in a drawer untouched by anyone and that makes me confident that the notches are from the time that the pistol was carried.
Any chance of getting a look at that period holster ?
Thanks & regards,
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Old 11-26-2020, 11:25 AM
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Default What the heck is this pistol????

Looks like a 1st Model Merwin-Hulbert Frontier Army SA in .44MH made from 1876 to 1879. Sold for a basic 16.00 and extra 4.00 for MOP grips. Built in the Hopkins & Allen factory.
The engraving is somewhat like the factory punch dot style but I believe it was done after it was shipped.

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Old 11-26-2020, 11:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otis24 View Post
I think there was a plan underway a few years back to resurrect M&H revolvers. Not sure what happened to that.
The venture never got off the ground, beyond a few 3D printed part prototypes. A lot of people lost their deposits when the company went belly up. Amazingly, I had stupidly prepaid in full for a gun and extra barrel assembly but still got all of my money back! I used the refund to buy a Model 16-3 so I came out as good as could be hoped for.
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Old 11-26-2020, 11:50 AM
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US Firearms Mfg' Co/Hartford flirted with making a repro of the M&H but it never came to be.

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Old 11-26-2020, 12:12 PM
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Thank you for your knowledge and expertise-the family will greatly appreciate the info.

I took a couple pictures of the holster and found some interesting notations on it-unfortunately, the pictures of the writing is a little hard to see.

On the left side of the band is a backwards swastika, in the center are the initials G.F.K. and on the right side, 09. We can guess that the initials belong to the family member that ultimately owned the pistol as their last name begins with K).

The backwards swastika is interesting, and yes I know it's use was for religious and good luck reasons.
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Old 11-26-2020, 12:33 PM
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Disassembled the pistol and found that the equivalent of the hand in a modern pistol has broken off of the pin it was a part of. I'm guessing that finding any parts whatsoever are impossible......
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Old 11-26-2020, 12:53 PM
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You may find this Forgotten Weapons episode interesting.

Merwin & Hulbert Revolvers - YouTube

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Old 11-26-2020, 03:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by copterdrvr View Post
Disassembled the pistol and found that the equivalent of the hand in a modern pistol has broken off of the pin it was a part of. I'm guessing that finding any parts whatsoever are impossible......
I have an original Merwin Hulbert that worked single action but not double (or vice versa, I don't recall which). My local skilled gunsmith was able to fabricate a new sear for it.
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Old 11-26-2020, 03:12 PM
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Darn ugly and probably unsafe to shoot.
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Old 11-27-2020, 09:29 PM
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Yeah, thanks for the in depth comment.......

I ran a borescope through both the barrel and the cylinder and was really surprised at the quality of the finish of both of them. I've seen barrels and cylinders in much worse condition and they were modern firearms. I'd have no fear whatsoever to fire this pistol if I had the appropriate ammo.

And for those that actually know something about the pistol, the length of the cylinder is 1.500 inches-does that help in insuring the exact caliber of the pistol?

Thanks for your responses.
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Old 12-03-2020, 02:46 PM
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All first models were 44 MH unless the frame was marked Russian Model, then .44 Russian.

Great gunsmith, Matthew Sinberg Yardly PA
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