Help with Old COLT DA 38 Revolver ID
I have an old Nickel Colt (I think) Revolver that I need help ID'ing or verifying. It's a 6" barrel, smooth walnut grips, fixed sights, with a lanyard on the butt. The butt is stamped U.S. Army Model 1901 No. 109XXX. The last 4 digits match a number on the crane, frame, and flat cylinder release latch. The patent info, etc are very faint. The base of the barrel says Colt DA 38. There is NOT a Rampant Colt on the gun. The rear left of the frame has R.A.C. on it as well as on the cylinder. The front sight is a 1/2 moon, there is a strain? screw on the grip frame, and the walnut grips have an 'H 2' stamped on them. The cylinder turns counter clockwise and has long skinny cylinder stops with an extra notch in front of them.
So, what is it? Is it a US Army 1901? Colt 1889 or 1892? New Navy Army? Did it come in Nickel origianally? Caliber, 38 Colt? Approximate age and value?
Thanks in advance.
So, what is it? Is it a US Army 1901? Colt 1889 or 1892? New Navy Army? Did it come in Nickel origianally? Caliber, 38 Colt? Approximate age and value?
Thanks in advance.
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How about a New Army Double Action Revolver 1898.
Came in nickel finish.
I am sure the Judge can help more.
bud
If it weren't for lawyers, I wouldn't need a lawyer.0 -
This revolver is getting a little out of my range of knowledge, as I have concentrated on the area from about 1910 to 1940, and then some up to about 1960. However, I think this is a regular military-contract New Army Model 1901 as it is marked. As a military revolver, I do not believe it should be nickel. The serial number appears to be too old for a Model 1901, because that number places the revolver in 1898, but Colt serial numbers are known to often be out of sequence. A factory letter would be necessary to verify anything about this revolver.
The fact that the markings are faint indicates a refinish to me. If so, the value is destroyed. If the revolver is original and is factory nickel, the value would be substantial. If not, the value is very low. Of course, there are always those who think any old Colt is valuable, so a sucker might pay too much.
Sorry I cannot help more.0 -
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Right
Left
Hope this helps.0 -
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=4393274
This looks close....except for the nickle.
There are several on gunbroker. Search colt army....
bud
If it weren't for lawyers, I wouldn't need a lawyer.0 -
The pictures confirm for me that the revolver is refinished. 0 -
Thanks for all the replies.
OK, now an ammo question. I have read/heard that you can shoot 38 Colt ammo in 38 Special guns. Can you shoot low velocity 38 Special ammo in a 38 Colt gun? For example if I get a hand load to about 750fps?0 -
Yes, you should be able to shoot .38 Specials in your .38 Colt providing that you carefully handload them to .38 Colt pressures and velocities. .38 Special midrange wadcutters usually work satisfactorily as loaded by the factory. Of course, you have the option of shortening the .38 Special cases to .38 Colt length, which is really not that difficult to do. There is a real danger here in that you could inadvertently load a high pressure .38 Special or even a .357 Magnum with a short seated bullet into the revolver--so be careful. For information, the RAC marking stands for Rinaldo A. Carr who was a government inspector of .38 and .45 Colt revolvers and Gatling Guns from 1889-1909. 0 -
Have pictures of 1877 32 cal. ready to send. How do I send them to the message forum? 0 -
The R.A.C. is US Gov't Inspector's mark, Rinaldo A. Carr, his mark seen on a lot of Colts of around the turn of the century 0 -
Everyone has given you the straight dope on your Colt. Check the bottom of the left grip, you might find RAC stamped in the wood as they sound like the original grips. They alone will fetch about $50-$75 if in fine shape.
Too bad about the nickle.0
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