This is an exceptionally rare and desirable Merwin, Hulbert & Co single action spur trigger revolver in the 3rd Variation Pocket Model. The revolver features a 5 1/2 inch round barrel with full solid rib, five shot revolving fluted cylinder, rearward or down sliding loading gate, and a fully enclosed cylinder pin (an aesthetically pleasing addition not found on other models and avoided snagging when carrying). The revolver was manufactured by Hopkins & Allen in circa 1870-1880's and shows a factory original nickel finish (with much of the finish remaining bright) factory hard rubber grips and is chambered in a .38 CF center fire caliber. Top of the barrel is marked, "HOPKINS & ALLEN MFG. CO. NORWICH CONN. U.S.A. PAT. JAN. 24 / APR. 21, DEC. 15, 74 AUG. 3. 75 JULY _ 76 APR. 17. 77 PAT'S MAR. 6. 77". Left of the frame is marked, "MERWIN, HULBERT & CO / NEW YORK U.S.A." and the right side, "38 CAL". The firearm shows the serial number of 6382 matching throughout. The pistol functions without flaw. For that time period, the firearms had a unusual, and very advanced operating procedure for clearing spent cartridges from the cylinder. With the hammer pulled back into the first safety notch, actuate the slide-lock on the bottom of the frame, in-front of the trigger assembly, and simply twist & pull the barrel and cylinder forward, ejecting the spent cartridges. Once the cylinder has been emptied, return the assembly back to position, and there is a slide-down loading gate on the right side of the revolver. Merwin Hulbert revolvers were considered by most to be the superior design over the Colt Single Action Army, but were more expensive and therefore seen less on the American Frontier. This rare pistol shows overall good condition with some loss to the finish. ANTIQUE FIREARM NO FFL. Serial number of 6382. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer۪s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.