Make: Hopkins & Allen manufactured this revolver for Merwin, Hulbert & Co.

Model: 1st Model

Serial Number: 2034

Year of Manufacture: 1876-1878

Caliber: .44 M&H Centerfire

Action Type: Single/Double Action 5 Shot Revolver with Push Down Loading Gate Side Loading Cylinder and Barrel Assembly That Twists to Remove

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “MERWIN, HULBERT & CO. NEW YORK. USA ./ PAT JAN.24.APR. 21. DEC16.74. AUG.3.75.JULY.11.76.APR.17177.PAT’S MAR.6.77”. The left side of ther barrel is marked “ Hopkins and Allen Manufacturing Norwich Conn.” The left side of the grip frame below the grip is marked “145”. The front face of the cylinder is marked “145” , and the rear face of the barrel lug and cylider rod are marked “145”. The butt is marked “2034” 

Barrel Length: 4 ?” in length with an underlug.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a thin brass blade added the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in a boss at the top of the frame in front of the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are red hard rubber stocks. There are several light handling marks on the grips, mostly observable on the right grip panel. There is a repaired chip on the right panel near the back strap. The grips are in about good condition.

Type of Finish: In the white (blued )

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn. There is corrosion scattered throughout the bore. The bore rates at 5/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. There are spots of finish loss with dark eroded metal scattered over the barrel, top strap and the top of the frame around the hammer. There are areas of finish loss throughout. The hammer knurling shows wear. The screw heads are tool-marked and show good slots. The markings are faded. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair condition.

Mechanics: The action does function correctly. This pistol has a very unique twist barrel, unlocked via a sliding button on the bottom of the frame, that only moves forward far enough for fired cases to be removed, but not far enough to eject loaded cartridges. A latch on the left rear of the barrel allows the barrel and cylinder to be removed. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A leather holster and ammo rig that appears appropriate for the time of the revolver. The Holster Rig is in fair condition and should make a fine display.

Our Assessment: Merwin, Hulbert & Co. were not manufacturers or makers of guns. There was a group of New York City gun and sporting goods dealers who had a major interest in Hopkins & Allen Firearms of Connecticut and had Hopkins & Allen make guns for them under their own name. Sometimes they sold guns marked with the Hopkins & Allen name, and some guns were marked with both names, but all were made by Hopkins & Allen in Connecticut. 

This is a .44 DA Pocket Revolver with a flat butt. This model pistol has a latch on the bottom of the frame which when pushed back allows the barrel and cylinder to be twisted off the frame, finally released by a 2nd latch on the left side of the barrel’s underlug. The revolver also has a loading gate, which is pushed down to get access to the cylinders, although there is no provision for an ejector. This pistol is in about Fair condition with about 5% of its original finish remaining. Although the bore is dark with dull rifling and spots of erosion; the action does function properly. With its matching serial numbers, this revolver should still be of interest to the antique revolver collectors out there.