Colt Revolver info needed
A family member has come up with a Colt US Army model 1901 .38 special revolver.It belonged to a pilot who ditched during takeoff from a carrier in around 1939 or 40.He has passed it along as a family keepsake,but there is very little info on it besides this.I would like to find out a little about that model of pistol,as well as a value for it.It is in excellent working order,but does show some rust and pitting on the outside,due to the salt water immersion.It also has jade circular inlays in the wooden grips.[url][/url]
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Father in-law called me today because I always answer his gun questions, this one I need help on. Somebody wants to trade him a Colt Officers Model 5 shot revolver, 5 inch barrel, double action, in 32/20 WCF, it's been re-blued, condition good. I tried looking it up in my books and have some contradictions according to my info, any help from you experts? Does it have any value? 0 -
First of all, there wasn't a 1901 Army chambered in ".38 Special." This gun was only chambered in .38 Long Colt. In order for me to help you, I would need some additional information about this gun. Start with a Serial Number.....you may use "X's" for the last two or three digits to protect privacy if you wish. Then, I need a more detailed description of the gun. For instance, what marks are on the gun and where? Is it marked "Unites States Property?" Any other lettering and where is it? When you pull the trigger, which way does the cylinder rotate when viewed from the back? How did you determine it was a Model 1901? What condition is the bluing in? Are there scratches, gouges, rubs, etc., on the gun and where are they? What material is the grips and the condition? Complete verbal "picture" of the gun would be very helpful. Post this information and I will try to help you. If Judge Colt reads your post, he too will probably have more info for you.
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0 -
Paul has it right. The Colt "New Army" and "Army Special" was the replacement for the M1873 Single Action Army.
It was made in the Models 1892, 1894, 1896, 1901, and 1903. Production terminated in 1908. All were very similar, and all (military versions) were in calibre .38 Colt Long.
During the Phillipine Insurrection that caliber was found to be very marginal against the Moros....so the Army put on a competition for a .45 caliber handgun. The Colt M1911 was the eventual winner and was the standard service sidearm for the next 74 years.0 -
This RE: is as much a question as a re: My Father had a Colt revolver brought back from WWII never knew the story as he would not talk of the war at all, the revolver was a nickle /chrome plate? it had a layanard loop on the butt, was marked on the butt US 1901 if i remember correctly. I(if it wasn't 1901 it was 1909) my brother has the gun and i haven't seen it in eons. I do remember he shot 38spl. out of it. was that a 38 long Colt?? or are we talking a different horse?
American used to Roar like Lions for Liberty- Now they Bleat like sheep for Security.
Alway remember Security without Liberty is called PRISON! -0 -
Between 1901 and WWII, there is a lot of time and that meant there was a lot of calibers and different models made......some of which the Armed Forces used and marked......others, only a few were marked. There is several different possibilities for the gun you are talking about.....but......here again, I would have to have info from it....Serial number, etc., etc., as I asked for above.
Around 1904, the .38 special evolved and made its presence noticed so what gun your Father had could be one of many......unable to give an educated guess.
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0 -
Thanks everyone for the great input so far,it's terrific.As far as more detail,I can now tell you it's marked on the barrel Colt DA 38,no further markings.On the butt it says US Army model 1901,and below that the number is150091.The cylinder rotates to the left.The action is very sound,but with an extemely strong trigger pull in double action mode,and a very light pull in single action.The blueing is very weathered,with some light pitting over the entire gun.The inside of the chambers in the cylinder are very clean,as is the inside of the barrel and riflings.The lanyard ring is intact.Overall,except for the rust and pitting,the pistol is very sound.The grips are in very good shape,except one of the jade inlays that someone put on it is missing.I do believe them to be the origional grips. 0 -
To begin with, I will try to give you some "general" type information regarding this gun which will aid you in determining if it is indeed a Model 1901. You can find the actual Serial Number of the gun by opening the cylinder and looking down into the folding part of the crane, (Hinge for cylinder). It should be marked on the frame part as well as the crane part which is attached to the cylinder. These numbers should match. This is the number that can be used to determine date of manufacture.
The Models 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and 1903, are all variations of the original Model 1892 Military Model revolver which was chambered in .38 Long Colt ONLY! The Model 1892 "New Army & Navy" (2nd Issue) is similar to the 1889 Navy, but has double cylinder notches, double locking bolt, and shorter flutes, square cylinder release thumb catch, Hard rubber grips on the Commercial models, or plain uncheckered wood grips on the Military models.
Collectors generally value a gun that is "Original" more than one that has been "modified" or otherwise changed. This may be detrimental if someone has added some inlay to the grips and changed them from Original. Condition is the single most considered item in most Collector's mind.
Most of the old "Military" guns are coveted by Collectors around the world. This is true of any of the manufacturer's guns, not just Colts. Most of these specimens are being held by someone and there seems to be little activity because of a small or nearly non-existant supply of these old guns. Values seem to be quite steady and consistent because of this. It is also necessary to determine the percentage of finish of the gun to "guess" at a value for it. You must also take into consideration the "pits," (rust you mentioned), as well as what percentage of blueing is still present to value this gun. It is an impossible task without a great many excellent pictures from all angles of this gun, or a visual inspection, to give an "appraisal" to use to value it.
The Blue Book of Gun Values, which is relied on by many Dealers/Collectors to determine a "starting price" based on condition of the gun, shows a very wide spread of values for this gun. It could be anywhere from a 10% gun valued at about $180, to as much as, or even more than, $1,350 for a 100% gun. Also, if it were to be a gun with a 3 inch barrel, it is given an additional value of 25% more of the original valuation, which would be substantial in a great condition gun. It is no small task to attempt to value this gun, if it was available to look at.......and I would consider it nearly impossible to value it by correspondance. This opinion I have offered will give you some additional information with which to consider your gun, but I am unable to give you an actual "value" for the reasons I have mentioned. Depending on your need for "Value," you may wish to have it appraised by local experts in your area. Hope this helps!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0
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