Hopkins & Allen · Pistol

Merwin Hulbert Revolver

Name: Merwin Hulbert Revolver
Brand: Hopkins & Allen

Revolving · .44-40 Winchester · introduced 1876

Also known as Merwin & Hulbert Frontier Army, Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army

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About the Merwin Hulbert Revolver

The Merwin Hulbert Revolver is an American single-action revolver designed by Merwin & Hulbert of New York City and manufactured by Hopkins & Allen of Norwich, Connecticut. Introduced in 1876 with the open-frame Frontier Army model, it is renowned for its unusual twist-open extraction system: releasing a frame catch let the shooter rotate the barrel and cylinder assembly sideways and pull it forward, simultaneously ejecting fired cases while retaining unfired cartridges. Built to exceptionally tight tolerances and often offered with interchangeable barrels, it was prized on the American frontier as one of the finest-made revolvers of its era, chambered for cartridges including the .44-40 Winchester.

The Merwin Hulbert's twist-open design let a rider eject spent brass while keeping live rounds chambered, a clever advantage for reloading on the move. Bass Outlaw, a Texas Ranger turned gunfighter, carried a Merwin & Hulbert Pocket Army revolver.

Merwin Hulbert Revolver specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Revolving
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: .44-40 Winchester
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Magazine: Revolving cylinder

Dimensions

Barrel length: 140 mm (5.5 in)
Overall length: 292 mm (11.5 in)
Height: 140 mm (5.5 in)
Width: 40 mm (1.6 in)
Weight (empty): 1.08 kg (2.38 lb)
Weight (loaded): 1.18 kg (2.59 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand
Grooves: 6

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Stock: Wood
Finish: nickel

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 240 m/s (787 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 470 J (347 ft·lb)
Effective range: 50 m

History

Introduced: 1876
Discontinued: 1916
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Joseph Merwin and the Hulbert Brothers

Features

Twist open extraction
Simultaneous case ejection
Interchangeable barrels
Birds head grip

Safety

Half cock notch

Produced in both single-action and double-action models, with full-size Frontier Army and compact Pocket Army frames. The 3rd Model (1883-1888) added partial cylinder flutes to reduce weight.