Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I have been thinking of starting this post for a while, but have been putting it off because I did not want to intimidate anybody. But after yesterday's What is your Favorite Revolver post, I thought I would start this one anyway.
Most of you probably already know that I like old revolvers.
So what is your oldest revolver? Do you know how old it is, or is it just a guess? Nothing wrong with guesses, I'm just curious.
Anyway, I'll start.
This little Smith and Wesson No. 1 Tip Up, First Issue, 5th Type is the oldest revolver in my collection at present. Roy Jinks says it shipped in June of 1859.
Probably silver plated when it left the factory, almost all the plating is gone now, revealing the brass frame and iron cylinder and barrel.
Seven chambers, 22 Short. The only 22 Rimfire cartridge that was in production at the time.
You can see here what little is left of the silver plating.
OK, so maybe this little guy is not fair because I don't actually shoot it. Much too old, and even modern 22 Shorts would be too much for it.
So, let's add another category.
What is the oldest revolver you own that you actually shoot?
It's actually a tie with me. This Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three shipped on August 15, 1882. It was sent back to the factory and refinished in March of 1965. That's why it looks so good. I know this because when I bought it a factory letter was included from the previous owner. It is chambered for 44 Russian, which was the most popular chambering for this model.
I don't shoot it a whole lot, but it does make it to a couple of Cowboy Action Shooting matches every year. Of course, I only shoot it with Black Powder.
I'm not exactly sure when this Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army shipped. According to Art Phelps' book, The Story of Merwin Hulbert & Co. Firearms, the Open Top version of this model was only made from 1880 until 1883. In 1883 a top strap was added. Phelps does not give a serial number range for this model, so I really don't know exactly when in that time period it left the factory.
Don't be fooled by the name Pocket Army. This is a big revolver, just as big as a Colt or S&W Top Beak. It is chambered for the 44-40 cartridge. I don't know why I put six cartridges in this photo because like so many old revolvers, these were only safe to carry loaded with five rounds and the hammer down on an empty chamber. This style of grip is called the Skull Crusher because the steel grip frame extends down below the hard rubber grips.
Like most Merwin Hulberts, the cylinder arrangement is unusual. To empty it, you push a knob in front of the trigger guard back. Then you pull the barrel and cylinder forward while rotating them 90 degrees. The empties fall out. Most of the time.
However not many folks know that you cannot reload while the gun is broken open. You have to close it up and reload one round at a time through a loading gate not much different than a Colt.
This one usually shows up at a CAS match a few times a year too. It usually comes along on the same day I shoot the New Model Number Three.
Of course, I only shoot it with Black Powder.
OK, so what is your oldest revolver, and do you shoot it?
I have been thinking of starting this post for a while, but have been putting it off because I did not want to intimidate anybody. But after yesterday's What is your Favorite Revolver post, I thought I would start this one anyway.
Most of you probably already know that I like old revolvers.
So what is your oldest revolver? Do you know how old it is, or is it just a guess? Nothing wrong with guesses, I'm just curious.
Anyway, I'll start.
This little Smith and Wesson No. 1 Tip Up, First Issue, 5th Type is the oldest revolver in my collection at present. Roy Jinks says it shipped in June of 1859.
Probably silver plated when it left the factory, almost all the plating is gone now, revealing the brass frame and iron cylinder and barrel.
Seven chambers, 22 Short. The only 22 Rimfire cartridge that was in production at the time.
You can see here what little is left of the silver plating.
OK, so maybe this little guy is not fair because I don't actually shoot it. Much too old, and even modern 22 Shorts would be too much for it.
So, let's add another category.
What is the oldest revolver you own that you actually shoot?
It's actually a tie with me. This Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three shipped on August 15, 1882. It was sent back to the factory and refinished in March of 1965. That's why it looks so good. I know this because when I bought it a factory letter was included from the previous owner. It is chambered for 44 Russian, which was the most popular chambering for this model.
I don't shoot it a whole lot, but it does make it to a couple of Cowboy Action Shooting matches every year. Of course, I only shoot it with Black Powder.
I'm not exactly sure when this Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army shipped. According to Art Phelps' book, The Story of Merwin Hulbert & Co. Firearms, the Open Top version of this model was only made from 1880 until 1883. In 1883 a top strap was added. Phelps does not give a serial number range for this model, so I really don't know exactly when in that time period it left the factory.
Don't be fooled by the name Pocket Army. This is a big revolver, just as big as a Colt or S&W Top Beak. It is chambered for the 44-40 cartridge. I don't know why I put six cartridges in this photo because like so many old revolvers, these were only safe to carry loaded with five rounds and the hammer down on an empty chamber. This style of grip is called the Skull Crusher because the steel grip frame extends down below the hard rubber grips.
Like most Merwin Hulberts, the cylinder arrangement is unusual. To empty it, you push a knob in front of the trigger guard back. Then you pull the barrel and cylinder forward while rotating them 90 degrees. The empties fall out. Most of the time.
However not many folks know that you cannot reload while the gun is broken open. You have to close it up and reload one round at a time through a loading gate not much different than a Colt.
This one usually shows up at a CAS match a few times a year too. It usually comes along on the same day I shoot the New Model Number Three.
Of course, I only shoot it with Black Powder.
OK, so what is your oldest revolver, and do you shoot it?
