Hopkins & Allen Calibre 1873

[bud560]

More questions. To me calibre 1873 means 44-40 but even though they fit and the dia. is correct the rims block the groove at the rear of the cylender and prevent it from seating. The side of the barrel is marked Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing so it is before 1898 and has both a 7" and a 3" barrel.
Any Ideas?

 

[Jim K]

A response was made to your other post. To summarize, the easiest way is to use a lathe or a drill and file to turn the rims down from the front, or find ammo/cases that have thinner rims.

Jim

 

[Mango88]

Do some research on the .44 Merwin Hulbert cartridge. I think that the case rim on it was a tad smaller than the .44-40. Perhaps someone put a .44 Merwin Hulbert cylinder in a .44-40 marked frame.

If you check this link: http://armchairgunshow.com/MH-info.html you will see that these revolvers were chambered in three different .44 calibers cartridges.

 

[mnrivrat]

Merwin, Hulbert, and Co. or Merwin Hulbert was an American firearms designer and marketer based in New York City which produced revolvers and rifles from 1876 through 1916. The firearms were manufactured by a subsidiary company, Hopkins & Allen of Norwich

The large frame Merwins were offered in three chamberings – 44 Merwin Hulbert, 44-40 (the most common chambering, designated by the marking "Calibre Winchester 1873"), and 44 Russian.

 

[cane]

That's a nice Merwin & Hulbert you have there, I've got one almost identical to it. Mine is marked the same way, and chambers and fires 44-40 cartridges.
I would check the ammo first just to make sure it's not out of spec.

 

[Jim K]

Maybe I misunderstand and this is silly, but here goes anyway. I am assuming that bud560 knows how to load a M&H. You can't load the cylinder and then close the gun, you have to close the gun and then pull down the loading gate and load the cartridges from the back like a single action Colt, Ruger, etc. That ring then retains the cartridge when the cylinder is moved forward. If the cartridge case is the right length, the empty cases will fall clear and the bullet of the unfired cartridge will be in the chamber and keep loaded cases in when the gun is closed up. The user then reloads the empty chambers.

Jim