[LaVistaBill]

It will shoot .32 S&W Long, which also means it will take .32 S&W also.

 

[Private Smith]

A Model 1889 in .38 Long Colt. A late one at serial # 313**

 

[Private Smith]

A Model 1896 in .38 Long Colt.

 

[GRI]

This my Colt Officers Model Target .38 serial #245XXX. Gun has 50% blue with the rest greying and light pitting in front of the cylinder/frame from firing the original black powder .38 Colt cartridges. The gun dates from early 1905 with a 1901 patent date and has a tight lock up and functions well.

 

[Biffjohanson]

Can you guys tell me what my friend just bought. I couldn’t help her. I’m not sure if there is a serial number. Thank you for any help.

 

[Arrowhead1976]

Modelo Argentino 1895. Any info appreciated

 

[GRI]

This is BG Daniel F. Craig's Colt New Army and Navy Model 1896 US revolver. The gun and other items came from the family. I have more, including family photos, but these are the core items:

An original nomination of Captain Craig for the Medal of Honor, along with eight others, for action on 17 October, 1899 near Porac, Island of Luzon. Captain Craig did not recieve the medal, but three of the others in this action did.

A photo of BG Craig along with his original theater (France) made DSM given for action in France during WWI.

BG Craigs's Colt New Army and Navy 1896 US Revolver with his Philippine made holster having his Art Nouveau style initials carved in the front. The revolver, serial #140xxx dates from slightly after his action in Luzon. It is likely this remained his service weapon and he carried this in WWI as these pistols were General Officer issue at that time.

 

[Drafter]

Hello everyone. New to this forum. I inherited a 38 D.A. with 4 1/2" barrel from my father in law today. I had heard about this gun here and there over the years, but had not seen it before today. It was always referred to as an old Colt 45 passed down from a family member who used it on the Wichita, Kansas police force. Not looking for a value to sell, as I'm a collector myself and don't ever sell anything. I love the chase and the reward of researching an old gun, until I'm on the hunt for the next one. This one seems to be a puzzle to me as to when exactly it might have been made as well as exactly what model it might be. It appears that they were updated quite often with subtle differences to each here and there. I've attached a few pics if anyone can shed any light, and appreciate any input. The serial number is 292XXX

 

[old tanker]

The first to check is to see if the cylinder is bored straight through. That series of revolvers was initially chambered for .38 Long Colt, which started out with an outside lubricated bullet. When the Army changed its ammunition to inside lubricated bullets, they reduced the bore diameter of its revolvers in 1903. Smith & Wesson looking to sell their new M&P revolver, lengthened the government cartridge and upped the powder charge calling it the .38 S&W Special. Later cylinders, intended for .38 Special have a step in the chamber, like most folks expect to see these days.
The biggest potential problem with the old 1892 series Colts is they will often chamber a .357 magnum cartridge, and fire it...once.

 

[Drafter]

Thank you sir for the reply. Looks like I do have the stepped cylinder. So your thoughts are that this is a model 1892? For the life of me, I can't figure out which model this is from 1892 to 1903. I'm assuming earlier because of the grips. The serial number sight does not place my number within any of those models, which is odd. I'm completely open to any info on this one. This gun has stumped me more than any other I own.

 

[Mcgregun]

 

[old tanker]

The "double" cylinder stop notches put it in that series. The commercial versions were called the New Army or the New Navy. They were identical except for the grips. The "New Army" had the prancing pony while the "New Navy"had a stylized Colt. They were replaced by the "Army Special" in 1908.

 

[2flasargent]

The "double" cylinder stop notches put it in that series. The commercial versions were called the New Army or the New Navy. They were identical except for the grips. The "New Army" had the prancing pony while the "New Navy"had a stylized Colt. They were replaced by the "Army Special" in 1908.

Just acquired a new Colt, Serial is 142xxx, so i believe 1900. RAC marked with a second set of initials just above the left grip of L.E.B (last is possibly a small b.) Locks up well, and has a definite been there done that look. Under the left grip is J. W. Elliott. Any idea on the other 3 initials?

 

[old tanker]

In the rush to furnish arms to the rapidly expanding Army and Navy after the United States entered World War One surplus stocks of those old Spanish American war era Colts were inspected, refurbished as needed, and then issued to rear-echelon Army troops and Navy officers as a substitute standard side arms. Captain Leroy E. Briggs, Ordnance Reserve Corps, inspected the .38 caliber revolvers repaired and stamped his "L.E.B." initials on the left side of the frame.

 

[2flasargent]

I recently acquired this old colt made in 1900, Per proofhouse. It has the RAC and LEB stamps on the left side, and serial numbers are consistent throughout. The inside of the left grip has the initials in script J W E and the right grip has the name J W Elliott. The action is stiff, but seems to lock tight.bore is dark and only slightly pitted with strong rifling.

 

[Tall]

Hello everyone. New to this forum. I inherited a 38 D.A. with 4 1/2" barrel from my father in law today. I had heard about this gun here and there over the years, but had not seen it before today. It was always referred to as an old Colt 45 passed down from a family member who used it on the Wichita, Kansas police force. Not looking for a value to sell, as I'm a collector myself and don't ever sell anything. I love the chase and the reward of researching an old gun, until I'm on the hunt for the next one. This one seems to be a puzzle to me as to when exactly it might have been made as well as exactly what model it might be. It appears that they were updated quite often with subtle differences to each here and there. I've attached a few pics if anyone can shed any light, and appreciate any input. The serial number is 292XXX

The revolver that you have pictured is a Colt New Navy in 38 Long Colt caliber. As mentioned above the New Army and New Navy are identical other than the grip design. Yours has the New Navy style grips with the Colt letters.

Here's a period advertisement that is for sale on eBay right now:

Serial numbers and dates from Proofhouse:

Models 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, 1903 New Army & Navy
Year	Serial Number
1892	1
1893	10000
1894	11300
1895	15100
1896	68000
1897	77000
1898	91200
1899	115000
1900	131000
1901	148000
1902	180000
1903	193000
1904	225800
1905	241000
1906	256000
1907	272000-291001

 

[Tall]

Thank you sir for the reply. Looks like I do have the stepped cylinder. So your thoughts are that this is a model 1892? For the life of me, I can't figure out which model this is from 1892 to 1903. I'm assuming earlier because of the grips. The serial number sight does not place my number within any of those models, which is odd. I'm completely open to any info on this one. This gun has stumped me more than any other I own.

I suspect that the serial number site is a bit off and that your New Navy was built towards the end of production in 1908 because it has all the features that one would expect to see on a late version of one of those revolvers. If it's important to you then you can spend $100 and buy a letter from Colt showing the exact shipment date. It's unlikely that will be money well spent.

 

[GRI]

1902 Colt commercial revolver used by the New Mexico militia and made in 1907. It has a 4.5" barrel, .38 long caliber and is all matching numbers, including the grips. It originally had a butt swivel. The serial number falls into previous noted New Mexico militia revolvers and has "N.M" stamped on the butt. This gun would have seen action on the border and during the punitive expedition as well as WWI. The gun is mechanically excellent and overall in very good condition, with an old refinish, possibly done for reissue. Note that at the time it was New Mexico militia and not State Guard. New Mexico was a territory until 1912.

 

[Scottz63]

Nice! Cool history on that one.

 

[Tall]

The "double" cylinder stop notches put it in that series. The commercial versions were called the New Army or the New Navy. They were identical except for the grips. The "New Army" had the prancing pony while the "New Navy"had a stylized Colt. They were replaced by the "Army Special" in 1908.

1902 Colt commercial revolver used by the New Mexico militia and made in 1907. It has a 4.5" barrel, .38 long caliber and is all matching numbers, including the grips. It originally had a butt swivel. The serial number falls into previous noted New Mexico militia revolvers and has "N.M" stamped on the butt. This gun would have seen action on the border and during the punitive expedition as well as WWI. The gun is mechanically excellent and overall in very good condition, with an old refinish, possibly done for reissue. Note that at the time it was New Mexico militia and not State Guard. New Mexico was a territory until 1912.

View attachment 802265 View attachment 802266

It's more likely a Model 1902 (or later) Army that has had the grips replaced. The grips are obviously Colt New Navy. The Model 1902 had a lanyard ring which is apparent - it's been removed - on your revolver. Very interesting, it probably has a great history if it could only speak.