Boulder350
Member
Here are a few of the Plant revolvers, or Merwin and Bray. They did not infringe on the Rollin White patent, but were a work around. The cylinders were almost bored all the way through with the cartridge loading in the front of the cylinder. They used a cup-fire cartridge in 42 caliber. The early guns came with both the cup-fire cylinder and a cap and ball cylinder. The cap and ball cylinder is extremely hard to find.
The first model guns were made in brass, followed by iron. Fladerman's estimates less than 100 brass and about 150 iron first models made. They are tip ups like the Smith and Wesson.
The second model guns were also made in brass, followed by iron. Flayderman's estimates under 50 brass frames were made and about 350 iron frames were made. The second models had the slide ejector mounted on the side of the frame.
The Transitional model was made in iron. Flayderman's estimates that about 100 were made.
The third model is the most common. They start around serial number 700 and go to approximately 8,000. There was a short run of 3rd model iron frames made in the 6,500 range. My research on the early model serial numbers is close to Flayderman's on the early guns quantities. For the the iron framed third models i have found some in the 6,500 and 6,600 range, then a two brass ones in the 7,000 range, then an iron one with serial number 7073.
The below picture is of the first model iron, second model iron, the transitional, and the 3rd model brass. Also a few detailed pictures of the first model revolver.
There were some guns converted to fire the 41 colt rimfire cartridges after they left the factory.
Here is a Forgotton Weapons link to the operation of the third model.
https://youtu.be/MoSh-agjZmo
The first model guns were made in brass, followed by iron. Fladerman's estimates less than 100 brass and about 150 iron first models made. They are tip ups like the Smith and Wesson.
The second model guns were also made in brass, followed by iron. Flayderman's estimates under 50 brass frames were made and about 350 iron frames were made. The second models had the slide ejector mounted on the side of the frame.
The Transitional model was made in iron. Flayderman's estimates that about 100 were made.
The third model is the most common. They start around serial number 700 and go to approximately 8,000. There was a short run of 3rd model iron frames made in the 6,500 range. My research on the early model serial numbers is close to Flayderman's on the early guns quantities. For the the iron framed third models i have found some in the 6,500 and 6,600 range, then a two brass ones in the 7,000 range, then an iron one with serial number 7073.
The below picture is of the first model iron, second model iron, the transitional, and the 3rd model brass. Also a few detailed pictures of the first model revolver.
There were some guns converted to fire the 41 colt rimfire cartridges after they left the factory.
Here is a Forgotton Weapons link to the operation of the third model.
https://youtu.be/MoSh-agjZmo
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