1892 New Army Colt .38

[Bullseye]

(Title should read 1894 not 1892)

I am caring for a number of family neglected firearms. I have cleaned them properly and they will be stored and better preserved and tagged for what they are when the time comes to be passed on. They are not mine but here's one I hope we inherit.

I would like to tag this properly.
How am I doing?
Colt New Army Double Action Model 1894 .38 Long Colt made in 1894 with walnut grips. R.A.C. initials Rinaldo A. Carr, the US Army officer who inspected it appear 3 times, on the frame, the butt of the grip and on the side of the grip. I can't make out the other initials on the other side but they appear to be DMJ. Along with the date 1898.

I believe this to have been one of the Colt New Army revolvers that were used in the US Army and were returned to Colt to be upgraded, thus the 1898 date on the grip. I would think DMJ did the second inspection. Who is DMJ? Anyone know?

The only fault with the revolver is that the bottom of the trigger guard has a blackened patch of corrosion. The rest is pretty tight and in better condition than I have found. This is an antique revolver. I think I would value it at around $900.00 and it is NOT for sale. It isn't mine ..... yet

 

[BobWright]

I think you are overestimating the value. I saw a .41 Army Special yesterday, extremely good condition, for $499.95. A .38 martial marked in v.g. condition in the $500~$600 range.

Bob Wright

 

[Bullseye]

I think this New Army model differs from the Army Special.

 

[Jim K]

As the butt says, that is the Model 1894. That gun was part of the third contract for the Model 1894, with 4600 guns delivered during July and August 1898, serial numbers in the 100xxx - 105xxx range.

That one appears to be in good shape and not reblued, and if fully functional (many are not, even if in good external condition) might bring the $900 you mention in a private sale. In general, though, they bring less than that.

DMJ is actually DMT for David M. Taylor, an inspector of contract arms for Springfield Armory; his cartouche is the official ordnance acceptance marking; Carr's stamps indicate the parts and the assembled gun passed inspection. Both men worked at Colt's factory.

Jim

 

[Jim K]

The New Model Army and Navy Revolver is the direct ancestor of the Army Special, but the latter uses a totally new frame and lockwork and is a much improved gun. It was later (1927) renamed the Official Police.

Jim

 

[Bullseye]

Thank you JimK! I will edit the title as well and first post. Very good info fantastic response. Yes this revolver is tight and original. Better looking than pics.

 

[LAGS]

I was given a old 1892 New Army 38 LC by a co worker 30 years ago.
He had got it from a guy, who got it from a guy, who's brother lives in Texas.
He thought the gun might have been stolen or something.
It was in Poor Non functioning condition, and in California , you had to re- Register handguns at the time.
I got it working, and had to make most of the internal parts, and did have the Sherriff's Department run the serial number to see if it was stolen.
Turns out it was not, so I registered it, made ammo for it and ended up selling it at a Gun show for $200.00.
Now I wish I still had that gun.
It was a very advanced revolver for it's time, but a very weak design by todays standards.
But recently I have seen examples of ones in the working condition of the one I had , selling for $500.00

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, I got a PM asking if the David Taylor mentioned is the David Taylor after whom the U.S. Navy's David Taylor Model Basin is named. The answer is no. That was RADM David Watson Taylor (1864-1940), a naval architect and early experimenter in ship hull design. I can find almost nothing on the Springfield Armory inspector, Army Captain David M. Taylor, but AFAIK, the two men were not related.

Again FWIW, the civilian guns were made in .38 Long Colt and .41 Colt; military guns only in .38. The case diameter is the same as that of the .38 Special, and the Army Model 1903 military revolvers, and civilian .38's after about number 225000 had the chambers bored through so they would accept .38 Special. I don't know whether the USMC Model 1905 was made to take .38 Special, but the civilian version was. .357 Magnum will also chamber in those revolvers, but I need not point out the inadvisability of using either .357 or hot .38 Special in those old guns.

Jim