colt double action revolver in 38-40
did colt ever make a double action revolver in 38-40, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel?
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The Colt catalog from 1940 shows a Colt New Service Revolver in .38-40 (.38 Winchester) cal. as being available in the 7 1/2 inch barrel. The New Service was double action. 0 -
They made the earlier 1878 Double Action Frontier in .38-40, too. 0 -
Ok its a Colt New Service made 1901 (based on serial number) Nickel plated still all there, 7 1/2 inch barrel, no rust, very clean. Does some one have a gun values book that can tell me the range of what it is worth...thanks! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
Ok its a Colt New Service made 1901 (based on serial number) Nickel plated still all there, 7 1/2 inch barrel, no rust, very clean. Does some one have a gun values book that can tell me the range of what it is worth...thanks!
Most important thing that governs value of any nickel plated handgun, is if it's factory original. If you can establish that it is? It would be a big bucks collectors item. New Service's in 38-40 aren't common, a factory nickeled one would be quite unique.
Unfortunately, most likely it isn't though. It would be best if you could post quality photos of the Colt. Their is a lot of variation, in aftermarket nickel plated handguns. Some have been buffed so badly prior to plating it appears to have been done on a belt sander.0 -
I expect factory nickel Colt New Services are unusual, but not unique.
As to examples of that model in .38-40 generally, I've owned two, a 7 1/2" and a 4 1/4", both blued. I still have the latter, know just where the former is - and both of them were acquired in the hardly handgun-flooded state of Maryland; one several decades back, the other about 6 years ago.
Far and away the bulk of production were US military M1917s in .45 ACP, the next largest group British Army contract guns in .455 (none of either would have been nickeled)- with the most popular civilian / law enforcement caliber being .45 Colt. However, my little town gunshop had a .44-40 not too long ago.0 -
My two year old blue book says: (for Commercial Model)
122,800 mfg., 5% with nickel plating
100% = $1975 50% = $650 ADD 35% for nickel plating
ADD 50% for factory pearl, ivory, or walnut grips
The way Colts have been selling on the auction side, I'd say these values might be conservative.0 -
I talked to the guy who selling the gun...says his father bought it new and when the father died he inherited it. Says it has alway been nickel colored...I think it therefore must be factory. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
I talked to the guy who selling the gun...says his father bought it new and when the father died he inherited it. Says it has alway been nickel colored...I think it therefore must be factory.
A Colt factory original New Service in 38-40, 7 1/2", Nickel Plated, would be a very big buck collectors item. If your going to be buying it on that basis it might be best to obtain a Colt letter verifying that it was originally nickeled at the factory. If your just buying it as a shooter, and not paying a premium because of rarity I wouldn't sweat it.0 -
Ok. Had someone look at the gun, they think it is original factory nickel but said it wasn't perfect more like about 80%. Still trying to get pictures. Thanks for the answers. 0 -
I've got a 1903 New Service in 38-40 that came with a 7-1/2" barrel. 0
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