need info on old colt 38

[dbajohn]

I have a colt revolver marked as Colt D.A. 38. The serial number on the butt is 271446. On the cylinder latch and twice on the frame it is stamped 1896. On the barrel is engraved Colt's PT FA Mfg Co Hartford CT Patent Nov 6 88 Mar 5 95

How can I find out something about the gun and its value?

Any help appreciated.

John

[brian45auto]

does it look like this one?
it's a version of the model 1892, made in 1907.
first of what we would call the modern revolver as we know it today, dual action with a swing out cylinder and hand ejector.
the service revolver from the 1890s to the early 1900s, till it was replaced with the m1909.
this pistol stood beside the 30-40 krags.
however the action is weak, being made with many small parts. often considered fragile and hard to find somebody able to work on or find parts for them.

the cartridge was so weak(.38 long colt) that natives carrying shields made of wood stood a fair chance of defending themselves from it. the short comings of it broke ground on the developement of the 45acp cartridge.

[5thShock]

Hold on a bit, someone should be able to tell you something about the value of the piece. You could try Gunbroker or similar to find what some are asking and paying.

[dbajohn]

I have uploaded a picture of the gun I have. It is similar to the pic posted, maybe only the grips are different?

[Dfariswheel]

You have a Colt New Army & Navy model.

In 1889 Colt invented the worlds first double action, swing-out cylinder revolver.
This was the Colt New Navy Model 1889.
When the Army also bought it in 1892, the name was changed to the Colt New Army & Navy.
Over the next years Colt put the gun through a rapid process of improvements and each major change got a new model year.
These guns were made as the Models 1889, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and the 1903.

The guns were sold as both military issue and commercial civilian models.
The military issue version will have Army or Navy stamps on the butt, and were made with smooth walnut grips, 6" barrels and in .38 Long Colt caliber.
It was the US Army version in .38 Long Colt that failed in the Philippines and led to the development of the Model 1911 .45 Automatic.

The commercial models like yours were made in 3", 4 1/2", and 6" barrels, in .38 Short and Long Colt, a few in .32-20, and in .41 Short and Long Colt calibers.
The grips were hard, black "Gutta Percha" rubber with molded in checkering and colt logos.
Finishes were bright blue or bright nickel.

The numbers on the smaller parts are factory assembly numbers. These were used to keep fitted parts together during manufacture before a serial number was assigned and stamped.

NOTE: These guns were made in obsolete low pressure cartridges.
They ARE NOT safe to fire with modern standard .38 Special ammunition.
These guns are only safe to shoot with original .38 Short and Long Colt, or special very light loaded .38 Special ammo.
DO NOT shoot modern .38 Special ammo in this gun.

Value depends entirely on the percentage of original finish remaining, and whether it's in working condition.
Note that these guns get out of order very easily and repairs are more or less impossible to get. Treat it gently.
These are historic guns, being the worlds first double action, swing-out revolver but they have to be in pretty good condition to be worth much.

To find a production date, check the serial number on the butt on this data base.
The butt serial number is in two lines.

http://proofhouse.com/colt/

[James K]

The 1896 is an assembly number. It is coincidence that it is also a year in which similar pistols would have been in service.

Jim