GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
EXTRAORDINARY FACTORY ENGRAVED MERWIN AND HUBERT FIRST MODEL ARMY REVOLVER WITH IVORY GRIPS AND MEXICAN PITIADO HALF HOLSTER.HOPKINS & ALLENM&H 1ST MODEL ARMY528544 M&HIVORYCal. 44 M&H. 7" bbl. Factory engraved with full nickel finish and 2-pc ivory grips. Revolver was engraved by Otto Bodenstein with meandering scroll work and rustic representations of animals, which are a hallmark of Merwin & Hulbert products. The floral accents are inlaid with a black enamel to provide contrast. Left side of frame is engraved with a Mexican eagle motif. Right side of frame shows a small bird. Backstrap is engraved behind hammer. Bottom of butt and trigger guard are plain. Bbl is engraved at breech-end, running all the way to muzzle. Cyl is engraved between flutes. Bbl shows correct 1-line Merwin & Hulbert mark with last patent date of March 6, 1877. Left side of bbl shows the Hopkins & Allen address. SN is stamped on butt behind lanyard loop stud. Loop is missing. Assembly no. "3112" is stamped on lower frame under rip. Assembly no. also appears on cyl arbor, rear face of cyl, and rear face of bbl lug. Left inside of grip shows no. "7955" in pencil. Pitiado holster is of the half length variety with decoration on front face and hold-down strap. Holster is lined. Accompanying this revolver is a letter from Peter A. Underwood of Jim's Firearms of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dated April 19, 2009, where he gives attribution to General Porfirio Diaz of Mexico. CONDITION: Excellent. Revolver retains nearly all of orig nickel finish with sharp markings and engraving. Bore appears unfired. Cyl chambers also appear unfired. Hammer shows a generous amount of case color. Trigger shows traces of fire-blue. Grips are fine with only a small chip out of toe on right side. Holster is also very fine with a light russet brown finish and only a slight break at toe of hold down strap. Lining is in tact. Decoration is not frayed. An excellent example of a First Model Army Merwin & Hulbert Patent revolver with orig engraving in a wonderful rig. 51033-46 TEP (18,000-35,000)