Old Colt .41 cal

[skunyun]

Seems I have aquired an old colt revolver that needs a little history.

It is SA/DA 6 shot Rampant colt on grips and frame
4 " barrel patina is very even , works flawlessly , tight and crisp

Can't read but there are signatures on the back side of each grip, just can't make em out



all knowledge and comments welcomed

 

[Jim K]

Sorry, not enough information. Good pictures would help or at least a full description of the gun and its markings.

Jim

 

[skunyun]

Ok, Here's waht I can see on top and side of barrel

Colts PT F A Manf. Co.
Hardford CT USA
Pat Aug 5,84 Nov 6,88 Mar 5 95
COLT DA 41

 

[Old Fuff]

Look on the bottom of the butt and see if a serial number is stamped on it - most likely toward the front.

If there isn't a number, open the cylinder by swinging it out, and then see if there is a number stamped on the frame just under the back end of the barrel. This number, if there is one, would be covered up if the cylinder was closed.

 

[skunyun]

Ype, the number is on the butt towards the front, 6 numbers 3 atop and 3 below them

 

[Old Fuff]

Good, now I need to know what those number are - like 123,456

Or if you want you can use "xx" for the last two numbers, like this: 123,4xx

Start with the number in the top row, on the left.

Then I will look in my research book and see what I can find out.

 

[skunyun]

Looks to be, 2361xx

 

[Old Fuff]

Now we're making progress, I'll see what I can find out and get back to you. In the meantime if you could post a photograph it would be very helpful.

 

[Old Fuff]

Well I am getting closer, and the revolver is becoming more interesting.

Now I want you to look at the latch behind the cylinder that you pull backwards so that you can swing the cylinder out to load or unload it.

1. Is it sort of shaped like a letter “L” with one side being flat against the sideplate (and possibly having some numbers stamped on it) and the other side sticking up so that you can pull against it with your thumb? The inside face of the upright leg of the latch should be checkered.

2. Or is it shaped so that the part behind where you pull on the latch rounded and checkered?

 

[robertbank]

Does your gun look like this?



Take a look at the length of the flutes on the cylinder, are they the same or shorter?

I reload the .41LC using fire formed .38spl brass. PM me for details if you decide you want to shoot the gun.

The serial number for the gun is located on the butt. The numbers that you see inside the cylyinder arm I believe relate to the assembler but I believe. Mine is my Great grand-dads gun with a six inch barrel. Round was very popular in the South and was used by police departments across N.A. including at one time the Vanocouver City Police Dept.

Take Care

 

[skunyun]

Old Fluff ) Ok, The cylinder latch is shaped like an L , inside the L shaped part is checkered, and does have numbers stamped on it (1438)


Robertbank ) As far as comparing the picture to the revolver I have, The barrel is approx. 4 inch, the flutes are shorter the the one pictured, they stop just before the notches in the cylinder, and it rotates left when cocked ( but they do look simular)
The grips have the Rampant Colt and says Colt top of grips

 

[Old Fuff]

Now I think I have the clue I needed. I'll get back to you after a little more research.

 

[robertbank]

Darn if you could read the tip of my tongue I could tell you what gun it it. I believe mine is the Colt Navy model sold to the civilians. The gun was the first D/A revolver Colt made. Yours followed. The main difference is the rotation of the cylinder and flukes on the cylinder. Had this all sorted out by another chap on the net and didn't write it down. Dumb on me.

I'll try to find the info for you.

Take Care

 

[Old Fuff]

skunyun:

During 1892, Colt introduced a new hand ejector (swing-out cylinder) revolver that was quickly named the 1892 New Army model because a .38 caliber version was adopted by the Army to replace their ageing model 1873 Single Actions.

This revolver proved to be very popular, and was made in both military and civilian versions until 1908. In that year Colt introduced yet another hand ejector revolver that they named the “Army Special.” These were serial numbered in the same series as the older model 1892 New Army, rather then start with No. 1 – and this would eventually cause some confusion.

Anyway, in 1904 they started making these revolvers at or about serial number 225,800 and ended around 241,000. Your .41 model 1892 New Army with the serial number (2361xx) falls within the 1904 production range. I would expect your barrel length to be 4 ¼” when measured from the cylinder face to the end of the muzzle, but this wouldn’t necessarily be true.

The model 1892 New Army was chambered in .38 Long Colt, .41 Long Colt, and occasionally .32-20. The grips were black hard rubber, as you described. The number on the cylinder latch is an assembly number, to insure that the right hand-fitted latch would be put on the correct gun.

Your revolver isn’t particularly valuable at this time because relatively few collectors are interested in it.

Hopefully you can see why Jim Keenan (who is very sharp and knowledgeable about such things) explained why photographs and very detailed descriptions are often needed to CORRECTLY identify a firearm, and discover those very little differences that can sometimes prove to be so very important.

 

[robertbank]

Old Fluff

OK Now then would you be kind enough to identify mine. My serial # is 18195

The dates are the sam e as the gun described above except mine does not have the March date scribed on the barrel.


Take Care

 

[skunyun]

Well, a big thanks to Old Fuff and Robertbank,

102 year old Colt revolver, a valuble collector or not I think I will hold on to it for a while.
Now time to maybe get some white chaulk and see if I can read the signatures on the back side of the grips.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the info you have tasken the time to provide.

Shunyun

 

[Jegs]

41 colt

if i was you i would hold onto it it is a uniq pistol that has good inherient value they are nice i would own one if had the money atm but take care of it ty
james

 

[Old Fuff]

Jegs has a point:

While some of these older guns may appear to be valueless so far as collectors' go, the fact is they almost always have a story to tell, and sometimes the more beat up they are the better the story is. They remain with us as symbols of American historical past. They have served their useful life and now deserve to be remembered in honorable retirement.

 

[colt41]

old fuff i also have a colt .41 with the same patent dates and discription of the chamber release (''L'') shaped with checkerd. the number on it is 578 as well as on various other places on the gun. the serial # is 160 00x.
i am having a hard time finding anything out about this cool peice. can you help?

 

[Clermont]

OK Now then would you be kind enough to identify mine. My serial # is 18195

The dates are the same as the gun described above except mine does not have the March date scribed on the barrel.

Your serial number indicates 1895 manufacture. Addition patent dates were added as production continued.

I also have a colt .41 with the same patent dates and discription of the chamber release (''L'') shaped with checkerd. the number on it is 578 as well as on various other places on the gun. the serial # is 160 00x.

Your serial number indicates 1901 production.

 

[Jim K]

Hi, guys,

Those Colts were not the first DA Colts, the Model 1877's in .38 and .41 were first, followed by the large frame Model 1878 in a whole raft of calibers.

The Model 1892 (and following) were not as fragile as the Model 1877 but have a reputation for breaking springs and other parts and for going out of time. IMHO, they are collectors' items, not using guns.

Hi, Robertbank,

FWIW, I was able to obtain .41 Colt ammo made by Ultramax, Rapid City, SD, and brass is made by Starline. I don't know if the ammo or the brass is available in Canada, but it might be a good idea to check. I guess the .38 Special brass wouldn't expand enough to split, but it is a fair amount undersize.

Jim