What the heck is this pistol????

[copterdrvr]

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.

 

[copterdrvr]

Couple more pics.

 

[Sistema1927]

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.

 

[Modified]

Looks like a Merwin Hulbert

 

[Zzylx]

It's a Merwin & Hulbert revolver and if your measurement is on
It's in 44 M&H cal
Cool gun!

 

[Shark Bait]

According to Wikipedia the United States of Columbia existed from 1863 to 1886.

 

[Sandman4delta]

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.

 

[Sistema1927]

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.

 

[copterdrvr]

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.

 

[PALADIN85020]

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

 

[copterdrvr]

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.

 

[ACORN]

Grips appear to be MOP.

 

[opoefc]

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

 

[Modified]

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.

 

[otis24]

I think there was a plan underway a few years back to resurrect M&H revolvers. Not sure what happened to that.

 

[handejector]

Nice gun! I love it.
I sent a PM to Modelof1891 for you. He'll be able to tell you all about it.

 

[copterdrvr]

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.

 

[turnerriver]

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,

 

[Modelof1891]

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.

Terry Wagner

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tom K]

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.