Original Item: Only One Available. The Colt Model 1894 revolver is an important piece of history in the evolution of the modern handgun. This revolver is sometimes called the D.A. 38 for a good reason: they are marked COLT. D.A. 38 on the side of the barrel, as they are a double action revolver chambered for the .38 Long Colt cartridge. There are many similar models of this handgun made by Colt: the Model 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896 and later the Model 1901 and 1903, which represent incremental improvements in the design. The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army primarily used these models, though there were civilian models as well.

This type of double action revolver represents a significant step in the evolution of the revolver, as it was Colt's first swing out cylinder revolver. It was both double and single action, it utilized the spring-loaded ejector rod, and the later models could fire the new (at the time) smokeless powder cartridges. All of these features appealed to the armed forces. The earlier D.A. 38 guns, such as the 1894, were designed to fire black powder cartridges only.

The New Army & Navy model is unique to Colt in that the cylinder rotates counter-clockwise, and the frame's side plate is on the right side. This unfortunately tended to force the cylinder out of alignment with the frame over time, and this was exacerbated by relatively weak lockwork used to "time", or match individual chambers to the barrel. In later Colt revolvers the cylinder rotation is clockwise and the side plate is on the left side of the frame. Also these Colt's have extremely complex actions that get out of order or break easily.

This is a fantastic Army issue example with military inspectors cartouches on the metal components, as well as on the lovely walnut grips. Commercial models had plastic or gutta percha grips that were checkered. The serial number marked on the bottom of the grip frame is 63538, indicating production in 1895. Total Army contract production of the Model 1894 was approximately 18,000 revolvers. The serial number ranges for the 3rd and 4th contracts are 60,000 to 68,000 and for the 5th and 6th contracts 100,000 to 110,000. This revolver looks to be from the third contract of Model 1894s received.

The cylinder, frame under the cylinder crane, the cylinder crane itself, and the cylinder release are all marked with shortened serial 3538. Early production D.A. 38 revolvers had assembly numbers only on these parts, but later produced examples of this had the serial number, as it was found that the butt frame serial number wore off easily. The barrel is stamped on the underside with 3356, so it was arsenal replaced at some point.

The top of the barrel is still marked with the original manufacture and patent information:

This revolver is stamped with the 1895 patent date, granted for improvements to the revolver. It is stamped on the bottom of both grip scales, above the grip on the frame, and on the back of the cylinder with the initials R.A.C., for Rinaldo A. Carr, a civilian employee of the War Department who was the sub-inspector on the revolvers. We very rarely see these with intact inspector cartouches on the grips!

The bottom of the grip frame is correctly stamped:

Condition of the revolver is very good to excellent, with masses of the original blued finish still present on the revolver. The trigger still even shows the lovely blue / purple "niter" bluing over most of the surface. There are no signs of major rust or other damage. The bore is in great shape, with a bright finish and clear lands and grooves. The cylinder swings out to the left correctly, with a functional cartridge extractor. We did not notice any issues cycling the revolver in both single and double action.

A lovely example of a U.S. martial revolver that may very well have seen service in the Spanish American War with great markings. Ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber:  .38 Long Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Double / Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver