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Jim K · 06-16-2012, 07:05 PM

Boy, talk about "rode hard and put away wet"! That is a civilian gun, not a Navy contract, but it sure has been around and about. Due to the condition, it is not of high value ($400 or so, maybe) but they are interesting guns. Most of the Navy contract guns were called in and returned to Colt for conversion to the later configuration with the double cylinder locking notches; as a civilian gun, that one was not converted.

Those revolvers had a rebounding hammer, but no means of keeping the cylinder from rotating when the hammer was down, a major defect in design, since it meant that the cylinder could turn when holstered after firing, not a condition desirable in a military revolver. That necessitated the later conversions.

About 31,000 were made, of which the first 5000 went to the Navy. Ejector rod heads and repro grips are available, but I would leave that one just as it is. The cartridge was the .38 Long Colt, the same cartridge case diameter as the modern .38 Special, but .38 Special will not fit in those early guns and should not be fired in them anyway.

Jim

06-16-2012, 07:05 PM	#12
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: COLT D.A. 38 ? Boy, talk about "rode hard and put away wet"! That is a civilian gun, not a Navy contract, but it sure has been around and about. Due to the condition, it is not of high value ($400 or so, maybe) but they are interesting guns. Most of the Navy contract guns were called in and returned to Colt for conversion to the later configuration with the double cylinder locking notches; as a civilian gun, that one was not converted. Those revolvers had a rebounding hammer, but no means of keeping the cylinder from rotating when the hammer was down, a major defect in design, since it meant that the cylinder could turn when holstered after firing, not a condition desirable in a military revolver. That necessitated the later conversions. About 31,000 were made, of which the first 5000 went to the Navy. Ejector rod heads and repro grips are available, but I would leave that one just as it is. The cartridge was the .38 Long Colt, the same cartridge case diameter as the modern .38 Special, but .38 Special will not fit in those early guns and should not be fired in them anyway. Jim Last edited by Jim K; 06-16-2012 at 07:22 PM..