Merwin Hulbert

sportee

sportee

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IT FINALLY ARRIVED :dancingbanana::dancingbanana:

My Merwin & Hulbert Pocket Army. I bought the gun being told it was in 44MH but when i got it here i found it was actually a 44 russian gun. Even better!

Ive been looking for a pocket army to bring into Canada for two years now. It seems they were all made in 44-40...the 44MH and 44 russian models are quite rare.

Its a 7" model with open top frame in blue yet! Its in pretty rough shape at the moment and honestly a restoration would increase its value. It functions but...what a dog. Youll see when i get some pics up. Its deffinitely a project. Re-finishing it doesnt bother me...this one wont be for re-sale.

I'll post some pics soon.
 
Pics we need Pics :)
I seen one a 44 Russian open top before. there nice looking guns.
With the scooped out cylinder flutes.
I just about bought one.
Can you mic the cylinder wall thickness at the Back of the chambers,
im curious how thick the chamber walls are.
 
I know, I know...Im trying to get some pics up. Camera died and it looks like I might need to get a new one. Sorry folks, it might take a while. :(:(

To answer your question Dingus...the walls mic at .061 at the rear and .069 at the business end. This is the russian model yet...the 44MH walls would be thicker.

I actually should have a 44MH frontier in a few weeks.
 
OK, here's a pic i got of the gun disassembled before the camera pooched.

HPIM0373.jpg


It's actually a second model frame (with the lug for the topstrap) but had the barrel cut to resemble the open top model...lots of home made parts too. I was a bit mislead on this part but oh well...at least i got my pocket army.

Here is the frontier I bought:

pix91376203.jpg


This one is chambered in 44MH.
 
Well to bad that one you got didnt have the right barrel to engage the top of that action as thats a popular model with the skull crusher grip.
Someone went to alot of troble to make that Loading gate.

The lower picture of the other one looks like a decent gun.
.61 aint as bad as i thought it would be.

my S&W Russian model made around the same time as your M&H is .74
Thick at the back. same as my S&W DA.
 
The pocket army is really a piece of work.

The barrel, cylinder and frame dont match. The trigger, trigger guard, loading gate, barrel latch, side plate and mainspring are home made.

The frame is originally blued, the cylinder nickeled and the barrel...im not sure.

Definitely a project.
 
Well i like your gun home made parts and all :)

I think i would make a top strap that ties into the frame and get it attached to your Barrel. silver brazed is plenty strong.
Not only would it look cool and more orignal it would add considerable strength to the gun!
Take advantage the fact the main frame has the part to lock into and hasnt been ground off.
It might be abit of a complicated top strap to make but with files and alot of Pateints a person can do alot.
Id buy some oil hardened flat barr 3/8 x 1 inch wide and make it work some how. you might have to make a couple till ya get it right.

Nothing wrong with project guns Sportee!
 
I honestly prefer the open top look on the pocket army's

I think i'll leave the barrel alone for now and look for another one somewhere.

The assemble numbers dont match the gun anyways.

I was thinking of finding an open top 3.5" barrel and a topstrap/full fluted 4th model barrel. That would be an interesting combination...:)

What i need to find is a chopped up frontier or pocket army to rob parts off of.

Added: I also spoke with a big Merwin collector...its most likely a 44MH cal gun with a 44 russian cylinder.
 
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Yes well that Barrel alone is a rare item i can see leaveing it alone till you find another proper Barrel for that gun.
Not like theres a M&H parts supplier tho.
I find alot of Weird stuff if i see any M&H parts guns i will let you know.
There was a M&H 44 Russian on US auction for $600 buy it now, I was thinking about it.
To long tho as it sold Fast.
It was marked 44 Russian and had the skull crusher grip. compleat gun matching #s and was beat up with dents and stuff.
I think they were the most intresting Antique Revolver made back then.
 
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For that price i wouldnt have hesitated.

I love the pocket model with the skull crusher grip...been looking for one for quite a while now. I just need to find some parts and a proper barrel for it now.

Im sure i'll find something one day. I almost bought a MH copy a few weeks ago for a great price but just before i sent the funds the guy decided he wouldnt ship to Canada...got some advice from a "friend". Oh well. The nickel frontier i picked up is a far better piece.
 
Just discovered some more on the pocket army.

After taking it apart for a good cleaning i discovered that it was originally nickel. There are some traced inside the grip frame just under the mainspring. the rest was pretty well removed and it looks like it may have been rust blued as there is lots of left over evidence inside the frame.

Anyways, I paid top dollar for a gun that is no where near what it was descibed as...still, im glad I finally got my pocket army :D

I bought a parts gun that should be here in a few weeks. Im planning to rob the essentials off it to complete the pocket army...

The frontiers should be here soon too. I'll post pics when they arive.
 
Have a pair of pocket models in 44 winchester. (that's before they started calling them 44-40's)
whoever called them "pocket models" had a warped sense of humor.
 
did you get her to the range?

Just wondering if you had any luck after friday and had a chance to try her? I know you were a little disappointed with it but I thought she was a beauty homemade parts and all !!! Of course I am a gunnut!
 
John Sukey said:
whoever called them "pocket models" had a warped sense of humor.
Click to expand...

Youre not kidding...I guess pocket model just means it has a shorter barrel. :D They really are a full sized 44 with a snubby barrel...

gregs5190 said:
Just wondering if you had any luck after friday and had a chance to try her?
Click to expand...

No luck:(

Maybe this week...I might just wait until the frontier arrives so I can take it out too.
 
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