Merwin Hulbert

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Merwin, Hulbert, and Co. or Merwin Hulbert was an American firearms designer and marketer based in New York City which produced revolvers and rifles from 1876 through 1916. The firearms were manufactured by a subsidiary company, Hopkins & Allen of Norwich, Connecticut.[1] Merwin Hulbert's designs had influenced other gunmakers of the time, such as Meriden Firearms Co., Harrington & Richardson, Forehand & Wadsworth, and Iver Johnson.[2]

During the late 19th century, Merwin Hulbert revolvers were used by police departments of many cities in the eastern United States.[3]

History

Joseph Merwin was involved with marketing revolvers as early as 1856 and first formed an arms company known as Merwin & Bray. This company was folded by 1874. In 1876 Merwin formed a partnership with the William and Milan Hulbert, who owned 50% interest in Hopkins & Allen. After Merwin's death in 1888, the company became known as "Hulbert Brothers & Company". Hulbert Brothers declared bankruptcy in 1894 and in 1896 it was liquidated. Hopkins & Allen continued to manufacture Merwin Hulbert marked guns until 1916 when it went bankrupt and was bought the following year by Marlin Firearms.[3]

In 2010 it was announced that the name of the company had been purchased as well as all of the designs and patents by Gunmaker Michael Blank. Blank plans to reintroduce the revolvers made on modern machinery with modern materials.[4] In 2012, the revived Merwin Hulbert company was bought by Sharps Rifle Company, Inc.[5] Potential buyers were encourgaged to send in deposits. None of those potential buyers ever got a gun nor did any of them get their money back. Broadsword Group, the purchaser of Sharps Rifle Company, announced on their website their commitment to return deposits of those who pre-ordered and the discontinuation of any further involvement in the production of Merwin Hulbert revolvers, though they did indicate they are seeking to sell the design to a company that already specializes in reproduction firearms.

Models

Merwin Hulbert manufactured both single action and double action revolvers. Merwin Hulbert's innovation was a rotating barrel design which allowed the user to rotate the barrel 90 degrees in order to pull the barrel and cylinder forward to remove the fired cartridge cases.[6][7]

Small frame single pocket models were produced in .38 caliber and had a spur trigger and no trigger guard. Other small frame double actions were produced in .32 cal. M&H and medium frames in .38 cal M&H. These were available in three and five and one half inch barrels or could be purchased with both barrels. There are five known .38 medium frame revolvers in single action with a trigger guard. The .32 Long target model was made on the .38 frame. The frames were in a saw handle style butt or a birdshead type grip frame. There was also a .22 caliber tip up spur trigger model.

Large frames were made in Frontier and Pocket Army models in .44 M&H caliber, .44-40 Winchester, and .44 Russian. The Frontier model consisted of four styles. Open top first model with two screws above the trigger in the left side of the frame. Second models which were open top but with one screw above the trigger in the left side of the frame. All single action revolvers for the first two and caliber was in .44 M&H. The Third model has a top strap above the cylinder and a round barrel. Third and fourth models were available in single or double action. The fourth model has a ribbed top strap and barrel. Any of these could be ordered with extra barrels that could be changed without tools.

Rare: There is one known matching serial number 7039 three barrel set Merwin Hulbert Frontier 4th model. There are two known smooth bore .44-40 shotshell revolvers with Wild West Shown background. There are five known Merwin Hulbert 4th Models with NO Merwin Hulbert markings, just Hopkins & Allen. These were towards the end of production and possible after the Merwin Hulbert company went out of business. There are five known single action medium frame .38's with a trigger guard and birdshead grip frame.

References

  1. ↑ Flayderman, Norm (2001), Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and their Values, Krause Publications, pp. 396–397, ISBN 978-0-87349-313-0 
  2. ↑ Taffin, John (2005). The Gun Digest Book of Cowboy Action Shooting: Guns · Gear · Tactics. Gun Digest Books. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-89689-140-1. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Walter, John (2006), The Guns That Won the West: Firearms on the American Frontier, 1848-1898, pp. 206–207, ISBN 978-1-85367-692-5 
  4. ↑ Shideler, Dan (2010). Guns Illustrated: The Latest Guns, Specs & Prices. F+W Media, Inc,. p. 37. ISBN 9781440213922. 
  5. ↑ Merwin, Hulbert & Co.
  6. ↑ James, Frank (2004). Effective Handgun Defense. Krause. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-87349-899-9. 
  7. ↑ Gould, Arthur Corbin (1888). The modern American pistol and revolver: Including a description of modern pistols and revolvers of American make; ammunition used in these arms; results accomplished; and shooting-rules followed by American marksmen. A. C. Gould & co. pp. 36–41. 
 8. Merwin Hulbert Collectors Association.

External links

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