Hey guys, my roommate has an old Colt revolver that he's interested in finding out the value of. It is a double action with a 6" barrel. It is marked "Colt D.A. 38" on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the frame and has patent dates on the top of the barrel of August 5 1884, November 6 '88, and March 5 of '95. It also has the rampant colt on the left side of the frame at the "hump" of the grip just above the grip panels. The grips also carry the rampant colt on both sides and seem to be made of gutta percha. The serial number on the bottom of the handle is 218XXX He's just interested in finding out what it is and what it's worth since it was passed down through his family through a few generations. BTW - we have already established that he shouldn't shoot anything other than .38 LC ammo through it (although it was loaded with .38 Special when he got it). Would it be safe to maybe try some LIGHT .38 Specials loaded with hollow base wadcutters (that might expand out enough to grab the rifling) out of it? .38 LC is very expensive and rare in these parts...
Colt DA .38
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Jim Watson
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It is a Colt New Army .38 revolver, either the model of 1895 or 1896, maybe a model 1901 before they added the patent date. Caliber is .38 Long Colt. Phil Sharpe suggested the use of .38 midrange wadcutters in the old guns, but that was before the lawyers and Internet Experts got interested and you will surely be advised to stick to the marked caliber these days.
I won't guess a dollar value, maybe you could find him some completed auctions on Gunbroker or Auctionarms.
I won't guess a dollar value, maybe you could find him some completed auctions on Gunbroker or Auctionarms.
Thanks. I did look at a couple auctions in progress on gunbroker and the prices seem to be around $160 or so to start. But his does seem totally functional. Just seems strange that a gun that's probably a hundred years old or more wouldn't have at least a bit of collector interest.
You looked at the wrong auctions.
Try www.armsbid.com and look at past results.
Be aware that collectors want examples in excellent to better condition, unless what you have is one of the U.S. military issued revolvers.
Old Fuff - thanks. I'll check those out. But his isn't in excellent condition really. There is a lot of holster wear on it but the lock up and timing are still good and so is the bore. Seems totally functional but the cost of ammo has stopped him from trying it out. I don't see any markings indicating that it was anything other than a civilian gun and that is in line with his story that his grandfather bought it new and eventually passed it down to his dad.
The military issue revolvers had plain walnut stocks, not gutta percha, so I'm pretty sure it is a commercial gun. The serial number indicates 1903 manufacture. For obvious reasons shooters aren't interested in this model, and most collectors aren't either, when they are in the condition you describe.
I suggest it should remain in the owner's family, with limited shooting using affordable .38 Special mid-range wadcutters. Avoid hotter loads.
I suggest it should remain in the owner's family, with limited shooting using affordable .38 Special mid-range wadcutters. Avoid hotter loads.
Yeah, that's kind of what I told him. I have done a little looking at hollow based .38 bullets with the thought that maybe I'd teach him how to reload so he could shoot it a little more.
As it is, I doubt he would get more than $150 out of it though.
As it is, I doubt he would get more than $150 out of it though.
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