I took another look at the gun I found. First I discovered that it was not loaded (which is good), though it has no safety that I can identify (not as good). I believe I found the model.
http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/featured_handguns_hg_coltrev_200803/
The weapon has engraved D A .38. (which I assume refers to the caliber and the action). The barrel has the dates stamped into it: Aug. 5. 1884. Nov.6. 88. Mar. 5. 95. I'm guessing the last date is production run of this particular weapon. It's in pretty good condition, no rust and little discoloration. All the mechanisms work fine, and move fluidly.
Comments? Questions?
I think those are patent dates, not dates of manufacture. It's probably significantly newer than that.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 09, 2011, 01:50:26 PM
I think those are patent dates, not dates of manufacture. It's probably significantly newer than that.
I'm assuming the weapon was made between the patenting of the last date and the next date found on other similar pistols. The weapon seems to have ceased manufacturing after 1909, and I'm guessing it was made between 1895 and 1896. Either way it's over a hundred years old. The leather holster is newer, it post dates 1928. Beyond that, I have no idea.
Write to "Pawn Stars", maybe they'll be interested in it and you'll be on TV. :w00t:
Quote from: DGuller on September 09, 2011, 02:03:38 PM
Write to "Pawn Stars", maybe they'll be interested in it and you'll be on TV. :w00t:
I don't think it's that valuable. Maybe worth a few hundred. From what I can tell, it wasn't that good a gun when it was made. It had the bad habit of not killing the people it shot. My guess is that my great-grandfather purchased (or found) the weapon during WWI as a backup, or bought it as a service weapon in the 1920's for police work. By then it was probably pretty cheap.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 09, 2011, 01:50:26 PM
I think those are patent dates, not dates of manufacture. It's probably significantly newer than that.
He should be able to determine the year by the serial #: http://coltautos.com/DA/NewArmyNavy/newarmynavypd.htm
Fun fact: if it happens to have been made prior to 1899, then by federal law it is considered an antique and therefore not subject to any federal laws regulating firearms. I'm guessing this would pretty significantly increase the value as well.
I have a Finnish M39 bolt action rifle that was built by the Finns in 1944 using a Russian-made receiver that dated to 1897. By virtue of the receiver date, my rifle is considered an antique, which doubles or possibly triples the market value for my rifle over an otherwise identical M39.
Quote from: derspiess on September 09, 2011, 02:15:10 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 09, 2011, 01:50:26 PM
I think those are patent dates, not dates of manufacture. It's probably significantly newer than that.
He should be able to determine the year by the serial #: http://coltautos.com/DA/NewArmyNavy/newarmynavypd.htm
Fun fact: if it happens to have been made prior to 1899, then by federal law it is considered an antique and therefore not subject to any federal laws regulating firearms. I'm guessing this would pretty significantly increase the value as well.
I have a Finnish M39 bolt action rifle that was built by the Finns in 1944 using a Russian-made receiver that dated to 1897. By virtue of the receiver date, my rifle is considered an antique, which doubles or possibly triples the market value for my rifle over an otherwise identical M39.
I don't know where the serial number is. There's a bunch of numbers all of the damn thing.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 09, 2011, 01:38:44 PM
though it has no safety that I can identify (not as good). I believe I found the model.
Fun fact : double-action revolvers never have safety mechanisms. The likelihood of you ever accidentally firing it is almost nil, though, depending on the pull strength required.
Other than that, looks like you've got a neat find on your hands. You should probably look into selling it if you don't want to keep it around, though.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 09, 2011, 02:19:16 PM
Quote from: derspiess on September 09, 2011, 02:15:10 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 09, 2011, 01:50:26 PM
I think those are patent dates, not dates of manufacture. It's probably significantly newer than that.
He should be able to determine the year by the serial #: http://coltautos.com/DA/NewArmyNavy/newarmynavypd.htm
Fun fact: if it happens to have been made prior to 1899, then by federal law it is considered an antique and therefore not subject to any federal laws regulating firearms. I'm guessing this would pretty significantly increase the value as well.
I have a Finnish M39 bolt action rifle that was built by the Finns in 1944 using a Russian-made receiver that dated to 1897. By virtue of the receiver date, my rifle is considered an antique, which doubles or possibly triples the market value for my rifle over an otherwise identical M39.
I don't know where the serial number is. There's a bunch of numbers all of the damn thing.
Look for a 5 or 6 digit number no greater than 291,000.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 09, 2011, 02:13:19 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 09, 2011, 02:03:38 PM
Write to "Pawn Stars", maybe they'll be interested in it and you'll be on TV. :w00t:
I don't think it's that valuable. Maybe worth a few hundred. From what I can tell, it wasn't that good a gun when it was made. It had the bad habit of not killing the people it shot. My guess is that my great-grandfather purchased (or found) the weapon during WWI as a backup, or bought it as a service weapon in the 1920's for police work. By then it was probably pretty cheap.
Doesn't matter, you'll get to be on TV. "Pawn Stars" dudes probably never saw a Colt revolver in their shop.
The number 718 is on the cylinder latch. On the butt it has the number 162885. I think. The one is much bigger then the rest of the numbers, almost looks like an "L" and the first three numbers are over the second three numbers. Like this
162
885
I don't think I'll sell it. I doubt it's worth much, and much rather have a weight to annoy up to six separate people in future shooting rampage.
Quote from: DGuller on September 09, 2011, 02:32:30 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 09, 2011, 02:13:19 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 09, 2011, 02:03:38 PM
Write to "Pawn Stars", maybe they'll be interested in it and you'll be on TV. :w00t:
I don't think it's that valuable. Maybe worth a few hundred. From what I can tell, it wasn't that good a gun when it was made. It had the bad habit of not killing the people it shot. My guess is that my great-grandfather purchased (or found) the weapon during WWI as a backup, or bought it as a service weapon in the 1920's for police work. By then it was probably pretty cheap.
Doesn't matter, you'll get to be on TV. "Pawn Stars" dudes probably never saw a Colt revolver in their shop.
Dude, I rarely leave my house. I don't want to be on TV. Besides I was already in one movie.
Let's see your IMDB page!
Quote from: Razgovory on September 09, 2011, 01:38:44 PM
I took another look at the gun I found. First I discovered that it was not loaded (which is good), though it has no safety that I can identify (not as good). I believe I found the model.
http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/featured_handguns_hg_coltrev_200803/
The weapon has engraved D A .38. (which I assume refers to the caliber and the action). The barrel has the dates stamped into it: Aug. 5. 1884. Nov.6. 88. Mar. 5. 95. I'm guessing the last date is production run of this particular weapon. It's in pretty good condition, no rust and little discoloration. All the mechanisms work fine, and move fluidly.
Comments? Questions?
Sounds nice piece.