SloopJohnB
10-09-2013, 12:09
Need some help identifying and establishing value on an early Colt DA revolver. I'm helping a friend who is selling the gun for a lady with large medical bills, and would appreciate any help you folks can provide.
I believe the gun to be a 1889 "Navy" / New Navy Model of 1889 from what I can determine in the Blue Book. Here's the basic info I can determine at this point:
* Marked "Colt D.A. 41" on the L/H side of the barrel - Appears to be a .41 Long Colt
* Top of the barrel is marked (1st line) "Colt's FT FA Mfg CC Hartford CT USA"
( 2nd line) "Patented Aug 5 1885 Nov 6 88 Mar 5 95"
* Frame & Crane both marked "803", with a "9" above the 803 on the frame
* Cylinder latch marked "803"
*Inside face of the ejector star marked "3"
* Rear of cylinder, under ejector marked "3"
* Serial number on the bottom/butt of frame is "193" over "300"
From what little I know, this gun has been passed down by the males in this lady's family for several generations. Beyond that, I know nothing of the gun.
Any information you collectors/Colt fans can provide will be greatly appreciated. If this is the gun I believe it to be, the Blue Book gives some ideas as to value. I would say this one is roughly 95% although it appears it may have been buffed and re-blued. I can't tell for sure, but while it seems the original Colt stampings were unevenly done, some are quite faint at this point. Any thoughts as to market value would be appreciated as well.
Please email me at: kiko1(REMOVE)@bendcable.com with any questions/for additional pics.
Thanks again to all.
John
I believe the gun to be a 1889 "Navy" / New Navy Model of 1889 from what I can determine in the Blue Book. Here's the basic info I can determine at this point:
* Marked "Colt D.A. 41" on the L/H side of the barrel - Appears to be a .41 Long Colt
* Top of the barrel is marked (1st line) "Colt's FT FA Mfg CC Hartford CT USA"
( 2nd line) "Patented Aug 5 1885 Nov 6 88 Mar 5 95"
* Frame & Crane both marked "803", with a "9" above the 803 on the frame
* Cylinder latch marked "803"
*Inside face of the ejector star marked "3"
* Rear of cylinder, under ejector marked "3"
* Serial number on the bottom/butt of frame is "193" over "300"
From what little I know, this gun has been passed down by the males in this lady's family for several generations. Beyond that, I know nothing of the gun.
Any information you collectors/Colt fans can provide will be greatly appreciated. If this is the gun I believe it to be, the Blue Book gives some ideas as to value. I would say this one is roughly 95% although it appears it may have been buffed and re-blued. I can't tell for sure, but while it seems the original Colt stampings were unevenly done, some are quite faint at this point. Any thoughts as to market value would be appreciated as well.
Please email me at: kiko1(REMOVE)@bendcable.com with any questions/for additional pics.
Thanks again to all.
John