Colt - D A 38
What is it???
Colt -revolver ..Top of the barrel it says Colt's PT F A mfg co Hartford Ct patent Aug 5 1884. Nov 6 88 Mar 5 95
on the side of the barrel [?] matching numbers K7523
cylinder has the initials r.a.c. It has a 6" barrel..
Left side of gun has 2 sets of initials r.a.c. behind hammer. Above the wood grip has l.e.b.
6 shot cylinder ..small chip in the wood grip..
Bottom of grip marked U.S. ARMY Model 1901 No.7523
GARY
Colt -revolver ..Top of the barrel it says Colt's PT F A mfg co Hartford Ct patent Aug 5 1884. Nov 6 88 Mar 5 95
on the side of the barrel [?] matching numbers K7523
cylinder has the initials r.a.c. It has a 6" barrel..
Left side of gun has 2 sets of initials r.a.c. behind hammer. Above the wood grip has l.e.b.
6 shot cylinder ..small chip in the wood grip..
Bottom of grip marked U.S. ARMY Model 1901 No.7523
GARY
0
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The serial number doesn't appear to be in the correct range for a Colt, Model 1901, New Army and Navy Revolver. Hard to explain, It might have been one that was rebuilt by Colt or Springfield Arsenal from parts? The serial if it's original and hasn't been fooled with, dates the revolver to a early 1890's, not Model 1901?
EDIT #1, Got this photo off a collectors site on the net, it shows the serial number and U.S. Army markings of a Colt Model 1894, New Army and Navy revolver.
Note the S.N. is substantially higher then your Colt Model 1901. According to Flayderman's Guide all the Colt New Army and Navies and their civilian counterparts were serial numbered consecutively.
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R.A.C. was an inspector at Colt. Ronaldo A. Carr. The serial numbers on 1901 Armys do not always line up with published serial number ranges. I've saw another K prefix 3 digit number, and another in the 1100 range. 0 -
I was told:
It is an Army Model of 1901 that has been heavily buffed and badly reblued and had later Colt wood grips installed instead of the uncheckered military grips. Those guns are rather fragile and give quite a bit of trouble when subjected to use. Further, parts are scarce and few (if any) gunsmiths today understand them. That model was chambered for .38 Long Colt and should NOT be fired with .38 Special, even if the longer cartridge will fit.
RAC is Army inspector Rinaldo A. Carr; LEB is Leroy E. Briggs, another Army inspector.
K7523 is not the serial number, it is an assembly number. The serial number should be on the bottom of the grip, along with the legend:
U.S.
ARMY
MODEL
1901
NO
xx
xxx
If that number is not there, it has been removed and the gun is illegal to own.
Those guns originally had no lanyard loop, but many were updated to include one.
Just got off the phone with Colt Archive Services.. Not much help though. Said it (ser.# ) could have been buffed off for rebluing somewhere along the line..All the other stampings (Colt DA , inspector stamps , U.S. Army 1901 )are strait square letters and numbers..the 38 and the assb. numbers including the one on the butt are all the same stylized stampings..
I got it from a family that was a long line of police officers. The Son is not, that's all he was able to tell me..
I trying to get an idea of what it might be worth..I want to do my best on the
Description when I list it ...
I do have pictures and can email them..
Thanks,
Gary - gluxu -- sisilija0 -
quote:Originally posted by gluxu -- sisilija
I was told:
It is an Army Model of 1901 that has been heavily buffed and badly reblued and had later Colt wood grips installed instead of the uncheckered military grips.
K7523 is not the serial number, it is an assembly number. The serial number should be on the bottom of the grip, along with the legend:
U.S.
ARMY
MODEL
1901
NO
xx
xxx
If that number is not there, it has been removed and the gun is illegal to own.
Those guns originally had no lanyard loop, but many were updated to include one.
Just got off the phone with Colt Archive Services.. Not much help though. Said it (ser.# ) could have been buffed off for rebluing somewhere along the line..All the other stampings (Colt DA , inspector stamps , U.S. Army 1901 )are strait square letters and numbers..the 38 and the assb. numbers including the one on the butt are all the same stylized stampings..
I got it from a family that was a long line of police officers. The Son is not, that's all he was able to tell me..
I trying to get an idea of what it might be worth..I want to do my best on the
Description when I list it ...
I do have pictures and can email them..
Thanks,
Gary - gluxu -- sisilija
Per your description in the original post "Bottom of grip marked U.S. ARMY Model 1901 No.7523", the Colt has definitely been screwed with, serial number wise. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. IMHO it would be best for you to return it to the individual you got it from and get your money back. In it present condition per your description " heavily buffed and badly reblued", not only is it unlikely to sell for much on the auction, but potentially get you in a lot of trouble with the feds for selling a gun with a altered serial number.0 -
Good advice from RUFE SNOW . It would not spend another day in my house. Remove serial = Jail or at best lost of right to ever own another Fire-Arm [:(!][V][:(] 0 -
GAVE IT BACK TO THE OWNER!!! 0 -
I THINK THERE ARE MORE 4 DIGIT SER. # OUTSIDE THE published serial number ranges. I've saw another K prefix 3 AND 4 digit number on several of the auction sites...
I found this on the:
Springfield Armory Museum - Collection Record
Title: REVOLVER - COLT REVOLVER MODEL 1901 DA ARMY .38 SN# 2364
Maker/Manufacturer: COLT
Date of Manufacture: 1901-1907
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number: SPAR 1885
Measurements: OL: 30.4CM 12" BL: 15.2CM 6"
Object Description:
COLT REVOLVER MODEL 1901 DA ARMY .38 SN# 2364
Manufactured by Colt, Hartford, Ct. - Standard 6-shot DA Model 1901 Army revolver with swing-out cylinder and smooth walnut grips. Blued finish. Weapon identical to the M1896 except for addition of an oblong lanyard swivel at the butt. Blade steel front, rear sight cut into frame.
Markings:
Barrel: COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO., HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./PATENTED AUG. 5, 1884, NOV. 6, 88, MAR. 5, 95. (Left): COLT D.A. 38.
Cylinder latch: K/2364
Buttstrap: U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1901/2364.
Grips: RAC
Frame: RAC & L.E.B. Indicates a Remington rework for home guard. 3/2364. RAC = Rinaldo A. Carr. LEB = Leroy E. Briggs.
Cylinder yoke: Z 2364.
Notes: "Special Report of New Work undertaken and New Supplies issued for Service. #46. April 1, 1902....SUGGESTION THAT CYLINDER OF REGULATION REVOLVER OPEN TO THE RIGHT. There was originally a diversity of opinion among Cavalry officers as to which was the better method, the right or left hand opening, but in 1894 it was decided that the cylinder should open to the left, as it was considered that by opening as it now does it allows the use of the right hand in throwing out the cylinder and replacing it." O.O. Letter No. 38078-7.0 -
I have a model 1901 that has always been in the family so I'm fairly confident it has never been messed with. The individual parts are numbered K26XX. These numbers are the last four digits of the serial number stamped on the base, 2026XX. Based on my gun, I would assume that the assembly numbers should have the last digits of the serial number. 0
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