Colt New Army/Navy or ????

[ThunderMtn]

I have been a single action shooter/collector for many years, but know virtually nothing about DA guns.. I recently picked up a revolver at a gun shop and would like to know exactly what it is. I believe it to be a Colt New Navy or Army.

6" Revolver
Top of Barrel:Colt's PT F.A. MFG. CO HARTFORD CT. USA
PATENTED AUG 5th 1884 NOVEMBER 6th 1888
Left Side of Barrel: COLT. D.A. 38

The cylinder rotates counter-clockwise and the cylinder catch pulls rearward toward the grip frame. The serial # I believe to be #476, as it is stamped on the frame and cylinder catch. A second #, which I believe to be US military #, is stamped on the butt of the grip frame, 22 079. Any light that you could shed on this pistol would be greatly appreciated......Phil

PS. I will upload photo's when I figure out how to do it....Thanks

 

[dfariswheel]

That sounds like a Colt New Navy Revolver Model 1889.
This was the world's first double action revolver with a swing-out cylinder, and is the direct ancestor of every Colt revolver that would follow, up to the Colt Python.

The New Navy was made from 1889 to 1894 when it was replaced by the 1892 New Army & Navy Model.
There were developmental models of the New Army & Navy known as the Models of 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and 1903.

The 1889 was available in calibers of .38 Short and Long Colt, and in .41 Colt.
Barrels of 3", 4 1/2", and 6" were made, and the guns were available in blue or bright nickel, with walnut or hard rubber grips.

These were made for both commercial sales and for military use with about 28,000 total produced, with the first 5,000 ordered by the US Navy, and some ordered later in production.
US Navy issue guns will be marked on the butt with US Navy stamps in addition to the serial number.
Yours is a commercial model.

The numbers 476 stamped on the frame and cylinder are assembly numbers.
The butt number of 22079 is the actual serial number, which was made in 1892.
The numbers that year started at 17100, and ended at 23499.

These revolvers had chambers that were bored straight through, and may chamber the .38 Special and even the .357 Magnum.
However, under NO circumstances should either of these rounds be fired in one of these revolvers.
These were made to fire obsolete low pressure rounds and cannot withstand even light .38 Special loads safely.

Due to the age and the complex and difficult to repair action, it's NOT recommended that these be fired, or disassembled.
Usable spare parts are nearly non-existant.

In good condition, these Colt's have a higher value as collectible guns, being a historical model.
In about 80% one would be worth "about" $1000 to $1100.

 

[ThunderMtn]

Thanks so much for the informantion. I was lucky enough to find this pistol in a gun shop, kind of hidden under a pile of holsters. Once the owner moved everything, I could see through the glass display case that it was a Colt. When I saw the $150 price tag, I didn't hesitate, despite the fact that I knew nothing about it. Im glad now that I did. It's really easy to see the influence of the SAA on this old iron.

The bore is decent, with a little minor pitting at the muzzle. Quite a bit of bluing remains on the underside of the frame and on the back of the trigger and hammer. The grips have a couple of chips on the back corners. All in all though, a pretty decent specimen for a sixgun of that age.

Thanks again.......Phil

 

[dfariswheel]

That is a Colt New Navy Model 1889.
It even has the original hard "Gutta Percha" rubber grips.

These are collectible due to the historic value.