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LOT 90
Historic New York Sheriff Inscribed and
Engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Medium Frame Double Action Revolver
with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 17623, 38 CF cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured c. 1880s, this exceptional example of a Merwin, Hulbert &
Co. Medium Frame revolver was subsequently period New York engraved and inscribed for presentation to a very prominent business man and sheriff from Elmira, New York. The back strap is inscribed “W.J. Lormore/Sheriff, Chemung County” for William J. Lormore (1841-1918), a well-known grocery store owner, county sheriff, county treasurer, and city fire commissioner. According to an included Chemung County
Historical Society letter, as well as period articles from the local Elmira Star-Gazette, Lormore was county sheriff from around 1895 to 1899, with his son William J. Lormore Jr. as deputy sheriff and dying of typhoid in 1898 at the
age of 31. The standard two-line address and patent dates are marked on top of the barrel rib, with “38 CAL.” on the left of the frame. The matching full serial number is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and rear of the barrel lug. It shows about 75% coverage, very attractive, period
floral scroll engraving that is much more elaborately executed than the typical factory engraving seen on these revolvers, indicating that it was the work of a local master craftsman during the period, likely for specific presentation
to Lormore. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame notch rear sight, folding hammer, and a pair of smooth pearl grips.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as period retailer engraved, retains 95% plus of the period applied nickel finish, more than half of the vibrant original case colors and nitre blue, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally attractive engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. revolver with New York sheriff inscription! Provenance: The TTT Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 91
Excellent and Scarce Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Medium Frame Spur Trigger Single Action Revolver with
Pearl Grips - Serial no. 6080, 38 CF cal., 5 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Only a few thousand were manufactured from the late 1870s to 1880s. The revolver has an enclosed cylinder pin, scooped cylinder flutes, downward sliding loading gate, and bird’s head butt. The barrel rib has the Hopkins & Allen two-line legend, and the frame has the two- line MH&Co. address and “38 CAL.” Matching serial number appear on the grip frame, barrel, and cylinder.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original nickel plating with some loss on the back strap and some scattered light flaking. The grips are also excellent with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 92
Very Fine Remington
Model 1875 Army Single
Action Revolver with
Holster - Serial no. 199, 44-40 WCF
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
Approximately 25,000 Model 1875s were manufactured between 1875
and 1889. They were among the first and most widely used centerfire revolvers in the West and are particularly known for their use by the Indian Police. They were also
known as the Improved Army or Frontier Army. The top of the barrel is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS.
ILION. N.Y. U.S.A.” The left rear of the trigger guard is marked “44,” the caliber designation for .44 W.C.F, with examples
chambered for .44 Remington CF being unmarked. The revolver features a blade front sight, a frame notch rear sight, the standard web-contoured ejector rod housing, and a fluted cylinder. The serial number is marked on the left side of the grip frame, the loading gate
arm, and the trigger guard. Includes an unmarked leather holster.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original nickel finish with some light wear and scattered
light flaking, primarily on high spots of the cylinder. The re-varnished grips are fine with some scattered light handling marks and a couple patches of like flaking of the glossy varnish. Mechanically excellent. The
holster is very fine with some light handling evidence. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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