[N743TC]

Hi gang,
I have a New Army DA .38 that is stamped on the butt US ARMY MODEL 1894. But on the barrel the last patent date is MAR. 5. 95. Does this mean that the barrel was replaced at some point, or was it common practice back then to use overrun parts for the next year model?
Thanks
TC

 

[.455Eley]

The Model 1894 designator would have been used until the Model 1896 upgrade came about. Also, most were retrofitted around, I think, 1901 and again in 1918.

 

[Oyeboten]

It may be like how on a Model of 1911 .45 Automatic, the Slide also has Patent dates which include that of 1913.

If in this instance, with a narrower time 'window' anyway.