Colt 38 D.A. - The Firearms Forum

LogicalSon · 11-01-2012, 11:54 AM

This is a gun that I inherited from my Maternal Grandparents. This gun was owned by my Grandfather's Uncle, Walter Coffey, who worked for the Railroad. My Grandmother told me that Uncle Walter was issued this revolver by the Railroad Co. Can anyone out there tell me more about this gun? The patent dates are visible on the top of the barrel. I can add that photo if helpful. You can see the photos of this gun in my albums. I'm not sure how else to get the photos from my albums to this post.

Double D · 11-01-2012, 12:26 PM

Nobody will be able to tell you anything with the information you have provided. Pictures or links to pictures are needed and more detailed info.

LogicalSon · 11-01-2012, 12:50 PM

There are at least 6 photos of this gun that I uploaded to my albums and made them viewable by the public. I didn't know how to get those photos from my albums to this post. I'm sure there is probably a way, I just don't know what to do. I think anyone can go to my LogicalSon 'page' and see them, but I'm not for sure. I'm a novice user of this forum. I've been a member for a while but never posted anything. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Jim K · 11-01-2012, 07:41 PM

The gun is a Colt Model 1889, chambered for the .38 Long Colt cartridge. It is in rather poor condition, with chipped grips and missing the end of the ejector rod (not just the removable head).

It was made in 1892 and is an antique under Federal law. There are no cylinder notches because that gun used the same system as the Model 1878, where the hand both turned the cylinder and locked it in place.

Over 5000 were ordered by the U.S. Navy, but that one is a civilian model. Those guns are delicate and are often found with parts broken or badly worn.

Value, in that condition, would be around $300, possibly even less if the gun is not functional. If there are any railroad markings, it might be of intrest to collectors of railroad paraphernalia.

Jim

LogicalSon · 11-01-2012, 08:30 PM

Thanks for your reply Jim. Most of the online research simply left out this model. All the photos or mentions of the Colt 38 DA would only cover the models that did have the cylinder notches. I was hoping it was worth more, but I guess this model is just not very desirable by collectors. Thanks Again!

11-01-2012, 11:54 AM	#1
LogicalSon Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 8	Colt 38 D.A. This is a gun that I inherited from my Maternal Grandparents. This gun was owned by my Grandfather's Uncle, Walter Coffey, who worked for the Railroad. My Grandmother told me that Uncle Walter was issued this revolver by the Railroad Co. Can anyone out there tell me more about this gun? The patent dates are visible on the top of the barrel. I can add that photo if helpful. You can see the photos of this gun in my albums. I'm not sure how else to get the photos from my albums to this post. -->

11-01-2012, 12:26 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,061	Re: Colt 38 D.A. Nobody will be able to tell you anything with the information you have provided. Pictures or links to pictures are needed and more detailed info. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

11-01-2012, 12:50 PM	#3
LogicalSon Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 8	Re: Colt 38 D.A. There are at least 6 photos of this gun that I uploaded to my albums and made them viewable by the public. I didn't know how to get those photos from my albums to this post. I'm sure there is probably a way, I just don't know what to do. I think anyone can go to my LogicalSon 'page' and see them, but I'm not for sure. I'm a novice user of this forum. I've been a member for a while but never posted anything. Any suggestions would be helpful.

11-01-2012, 07:41 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Colt 38 D.A. The gun is a Colt Model 1889, chambered for the .38 Long Colt cartridge. It is in rather poor condition, with chipped grips and missing the end of the ejector rod (not just the removable head). It was made in 1892 and is an antique under Federal law. There are no cylinder notches because that gun used the same system as the Model 1878, where the hand both turned the cylinder and locked it in place. Over 5000 were ordered by the U.S. Navy, but that one is a civilian model. Those guns are delicate and are often found with parts broken or badly worn. Value, in that condition, would be around $300, possibly even less if the gun is not functional. If there are any railroad markings, it might be of intrest to collectors of railroad paraphernalia. Jim

11-01-2012, 08:30 PM	#5
LogicalSon Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 8	Re: Colt 38 D.A. Thanks for your reply Jim. Most of the online research simply left out this model. All the photos or mentions of the Colt 38 DA would only cover the models that did have the cylinder notches. I was hoping it was worth more, but I guess this model is just not very desirable by collectors. Thanks Again!