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

Model: 4th Model Pocket on Birdshead “Skull Crusher” Grip Frame 

Serial Number: 4984

Year of Manufacture: 1887-1892

Caliber: .38 SW 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. N.Y. USA ./ PAT APR. 17. 77 JUNE 15.80.MAR.14.82.JAN.9.93”. The left side of the frame is marked “38 CAL”. The left side of the grip frame below the grip is marked “4984”. The front face of the cylinder and the rear face of the barrel lug are marked “4984”. The articulating hammer spur is marked “87”. The Factory engraving covers the entirety of the revolver. With a Game Scene on the frame and filigree and scroll work throughout.

Barrel Length: 5.5” in length with a full top rib and 2/3 underlug.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall thick blade half-round blade integral with 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 articulating hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown hard rubber on a birds-head grip frame that have large smooth circles at the tops of the grips. The “beak” extends below the grips with a large lanyard hole in the center. There are several light handling marks in the smooth sections of the grips,mostly observable on the right grip panel. The grips are in about fine condition.

Type of Finish: The revolver is nickel plated with deep flowery engraving on the barrel, cylinder, the sides of the frame and at the top of the backstrap. There is also a deer engraved on the left side of the frame behind the cylinder. Please see our pictures as they are worth a thousand words. 

Finish Originality: The styling matches that of the engraving coming from the factory at the time of production. We can see no marks or pitting under the finish, and the markings are what we would expect from a nickel-plated revolver. We believe the finish and therefore the engraving to be original.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling shows light wear. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore with a few spots of moderate erosion. The bore rates at 7.5/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. There are tiny 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 on the front sight, front strap, back strap, trigger guard, cylinder, and the sides and underside of the frame, with scattered dark spots of light erosion, including pinprick surface erosion scattered over the cylinder. Somewhat of a dark drag line in the cylinder. The hammer knurling shows very light wear and the edges of the barrel latch are sharp. The screw heads are sharp and show strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is very little play in the cylinder lockup and the barrel lockup is solid. 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: One Tan zipper pouch is included with the purchase.

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 .38 DA Pocket Revolver with a bird's head butt and folding spur hammer. 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. Besides its unique design, this pistol is also unique in that it has a folding spur hammer, which was not installed on all guns of this model. 

This pistol is factory engraved and is in about Fine condition with about 90% of its original finish remaining. Although semi-bright with sharp rifling and spots of moderate erosion. The cylinder and barrel lockups show a barely perceptible amount of play. With its folding spur hammer, matching serial numbers and great mechanical condition, this revolver should be of interest to the antique revolver collectors out there