Merwin Hulbert .38 (updated pictures)

twaits

twaits

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I know this is the S&W forum, but I've had no luck joining the Merwin forum for some reason. I'm hoping Montanian comes along and looks at this.

This is a Merwin Hulbert .38 that my Dad has had since he was a kid.

I think it's a pretty desireable gun as both barrels number to the gun. Unfortunately as you can see, someone took it upon themselves to "engrave" a woodland scene on the sides of the gun at some point in its life which I'm sure diminishes the value somewhat.

I'd just like to know if anyone out there has a feeling as to what this piece would be valued at in todays market.

Thanks for looking.

IMGP4117.jpg


IMGP4118.jpg


IMGP4119.jpg
 
I can't help you, but that is an interesting piece, thanks for posting it. I'll bet some one comes along that knows the answers you need.
 
That "woodland scene" was a standard from the factory I've seen all kinds of what we would call pawn shop engraving on MW's and it is almost always factory. I think the set should be worth about $500 to $700 in my experiance.
 
Twaits, You have a rare edition of the Merwin & Hulbert Automatic Ejecting revolver. Get yourself a copy of "The Story of Merwin & Hulbert Firearms" by my old friend, the late Art Phelps, and read up on them. You have two features seldon seen, the "Skull Cracker " protrusion on the butt and the second side panel screw. Both are very rare, in fact the book shows a picture of a Merwin with the 2nd screw and says " Only one known !". I think there are more, but the are seldom encountered. The 2nd barrel was often added to Merwin purchases, but seldom are both numbered the same, which would prove they came together as a set when new. The Game scene could be factory, and at least dealer added, and could possibly be etched rather than engraved. Value, as is, is well into 4 figures. Ed #15
 
Thanks guys. I wish I had a more close up shot of the "engraving"
The woodland scene is really crude and appears to have just been scratched into the blueing. I don't think the factory would have done this. But even so, it's all aged so nicely that it doesn't really detract from it too much as far as I'm concerned. I think it's a really great little gun.
 
As a side note, I was watching this Merwin Hulbert ammo box on ebay. When I first saw it, it was somewhere around $20. I kinda liked it, and figured if I could pick it up for $25 I'd go for it. Guess it was more valuable than I thought. It sold for $578!:eek:

Bc9VcgBWkKGrHqQOKioEq43HB5kdBKyn957.jpg
 
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gunlovingirl said:
As a side note, I was watching this Merwin Hulbert ammo box on ebay. When I first saw it, it was somewhere around $20. I kinda liked it, and figured if I could pick it up for $25 I'd go for it. Guess it was more valuable than I thought. It sold for $578!:eek:

Bc9VcgBWkKGrHqQOKioEq43HB5kdBKyn957.jpg
Click to expand...

Yeah I've heard that original M&H ammo is crazy valuable.
Misty, was that just the box or where there cartridges inside?
 
Could you post a photo or two showing how the revolver opens and closes for loading? I've read about the MH but have never had a chance to handle one.
 
n4zov said:
Could you post a photo or two showing how the revolver opens and closes for loading? I've read about the MH but have never had a chance to handle one.
Click to expand...

Sorry, the gun is back at my fathers house and I didn't take pictures of the action. Perhaps someone else here can provide one.

It works like this: For loading You put the gun at half cock and open the loading gate on the side. It loads just like a Single action Colt. To eject the empty shells you pull the little button in front of the triggerguard back, then twist the barrel sideways on the cylinder pin and pull it forward. There is a little shoulder on the recoil shield that holds the shells in place and the empties fall out of the gun. Any loaded cartridges still in the cylinder are held in place by the bullet.
To remove the barrel entirely you just press the little button forward of the cylinder and it pulls right off. I think this is the most ingenious revolver system ever devised. In seconds you can swap barrels with no tools.
 
If someone could make a copy of that folding trigger for a J frame, they would make a mint!
 
feralmerril said:
If someone could make a copy of that folding trigger for a J frame, they would make a mint!
Click to expand...

Yeah, you know I can't believe no company today doesn't steal this idea. It's so cool. I'm hoping the guys at the new M&H company eventually offer this on the new Pocket Armys they are going to be making.
 
For those who may not know, Patrick Swayze used a pair of M&H in the Movie Tall Tales, by Disney. They were chambered in 44-40, and as an extra in the movie and Gun Handler, I have some of the Blanks fired from the guns used in the movie. Along with some other stuff.

The guns, not overly rugged by today standards, broke during filming a couple of times and I had to go find a Gunsmith familiar with the inner workings to get them repaired.
(It was only 120 miles round trip).

M&H certainly have a placed secured in our history.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Little bit of trivia here: Merwin & Hulbert never made any guns, they were mostly all made by Hopkins & Allen and were so well made to very close tolerances than when you opened the action to extract shells, the gun would close by itself due to the vacuum created by the close tolerances! Also, I've found that many ammo. boxes posted on ebay (eBay rulues will not allow seller to sell ammo.) by sellers, are boxes with ammo that has been removed, but the seller has the ammo. and inquires to the seller can result in the ammo. arriving at your door step with the box for a negotiable price. Ed.
 
I met "Hammer" when I wrote folding trigger, but I imagine everyone knew what I meant. I had a close friend many years ago that had 3 or 4 of them. I marveled at the hammers back then. He had some beautys, one nickle .44 also had two barrels. It was pristine.
I read somewhere that either merwin or hulbert was killed by indians while outwest pushing his guns. Anybody else read that?
 
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feralmerril said:
I met "Hammer" when I wrote folding trigger, but I imagine everyone knew what I meant. I had a close friend many years ago that had 3 or 4 of them. I marveled at the hammers back then. He had some beautys, one nickle .44 also had two barrels. It was pristine.
I read somewhere that either merwin or hulbert was killed by indians while outwest pushing his guns. Anybody else read that?
Click to expand...

I've heard that too but I think it may be a colorful tall tale.
 
opoefc said:
Twaits, You have a rare edition of the Merwin & Hulbert Automatic Ejecting revolver. Get yourself a copy of "The Story of Merwin & Hulbert Firearms" by my old friend, the late Art Phelps, and read up on them. You have two features seldon seen, the "Skull Cracker " protrusion on the butt and the second side panel screw. Both are very rare, in fact the book shows a picture of a Merwin with the 2nd screw and says " Only one known !". I think there are more, but the are seldom encountered. The 2nd barrel was often added to Merwin purchases, but seldom are both numbered the same, which would prove they came together as a set when new. The Game scene could be factory, and at least dealer added, and could possibly be etched rather than engraved. Value, as is, is well into 4 figures. Ed #15
Click to expand...

Ed,

What do you make of this one?

Merwin & Hulbert Blue 5 1/2 DA Folding Hammer Revolver - Merwin & Hulbert

This is pretty much the exact same set up as mine but there is a
THIRD sideplate screw. His second barrel doesn't number to the gun, but this is the first time I've seen one almost exactly the same as my Dads.
 
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