{"product_id":"original-spanish-american-war-conn-national-guard-factory-engraved-u-s-colt-model-1894-new-army-d-a-38-revolver-serial-75366-with-factory-letter-made-in-1896","title":"Original Spanish-American War \"Conn National Guard\" Factory Engraved U.S. Colt Model 1894 \"New Army\" D.A. 38 Revolver Serial 75366 with Factory Letter - Made In 1896","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003eCOLT. D. A. 38\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis type of double action revolver represented 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe New Army \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic researchable example, which was not delivered to either the Army or the Navy, but actually directly to the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnecticut National Guard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. from the Colt factory. This is confirmed Colt Factory letter from the office of the Colt Historian \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeverly Jean Haynes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which has her signature in the lower left corner. The paper used has the correct Colt Letterhead and bears a raised \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e seal stamp over the signature. It is dated \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApril 25, 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, and indicates it is a \u003cstrong\u003eCOLT NEW ARMY REVOLVER MODEL OF 1894\u003c\/strong\u003e, in \u003cstrong\u003e.38\/c\u003c\/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003e6\"\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel. The revolver was made with a \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e finish and fitted with \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRubber\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e grips. Most importantly, there is a field for \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFactory Engraved:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, where it notes \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Conn National Guard\" is engraved on the strap and \"C154\" under the stocks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. The gun was shipped on \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJuly 22, 1896\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003ewith \u003cstrong\u003e36\u003c\/strong\u003e other guns of the same type, directly to the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnecticut National Guard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. That means this revolver is completely in the original configuration, and is a confirmed factory engraved example!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe checked records from the Spanish-American War, and portions of the Connecticut National Guard were called up to form the 1st and 3rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiments during the Spanish-American War. Unfortunately, the war ended while they were still in training prior to deployment. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe serial number marked on the bottom of the grip frame is \u003cstrong\u003e75366\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating production in \u003cstrong\u003e1896\u003c\/strong\u003e per Colt factory records and the included letter. The frame under the cylinder crane, the cylinder crane itself, and the cylinder release are all marked with assembly number \u003cstrong\u003e313\u003c\/strong\u003e. The ejector rod and the rear face of the cylinder under the ejector are marked with assembly number \u003cstrong\u003e143\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is still marked with the original manufacture and patent information, correct for the model 1896, and it is the two line version used on the longer 6\" barrels:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U. S. A.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePATENTED AUG.5.1884. NOV.6.88 MAR.5.95\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis revolver is stamped with the 1895 patent date, granted for improvements to the revolver, though we are using the model designation from the Colt letter, the Model 1894. The rubber grips have the correct \u003cstrong\u003eCOLT\u003c\/strong\u003e logo at the top, and there is also a worn \u003cstrong\u003e\"Prancing Pony in a Circle\"\u003c\/strong\u003e marking on the rear left frame. The rear of the grip still bears the original engraved \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConn National Guard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC 154\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is stamped on the left side of the frame under the grips. There is additionally the number \u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped into the bottom of the grip frame rear of the lanyard loop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of condition, the revolver does look to have seen a good amount of use while with the Connecticut National Guard, with the original bluing only retained in recessed areas, as well as on the top and bottom of the barrel. This is typical wear from being in in a holster of some sort while being carried. There are also scratches and such on the sides, so it may have been stacked up in storage for a time. The hard rubber \"gutta percha\" style grips have matured to a lovely dark brown color, and still retain strong original checkering, as well as a crisp Colt logo. There is no major chipping or wear around the bottom edge, though the right side grip scale has a crack running through the center where the threaded insert for the securing bolt is. This is not due to misuse, but due to the rubber shrinking, and the threaded insert staying the same size. It may someday crack all the way through, something that there is no way to prevent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver cycles correctly in both single and double action, without any finicky behavior to note, though there is some slop due to wear. The cylinder swings out to the left correctly, with a functional cartridge extractor, though the actuating rod has a slight bend to it, so it can get stuck at times. The bore is in good condition, showing a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves, though they are definitely worn from use and cleaning. We also noticed some damage to the forcing cone, which has a bit missing on the left side. This is definitely a revolver that saw extensive use while in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great factory engraved and verified Connecticut National Guard used Colt New Army Revolver, with a great patina of age and factory letter. This very well was carried when portions of the guard were called up to become the 1st and 3rd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. Though they did not see action in the conflict, it still makes this a historically important piece more than worthy of further research!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1896\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber:  .38 Long Colt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 4 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 11 1\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Double \/ Single\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44863155273797,"sku":"ONJR26MABS045","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/A6E50C40-D758-48E6-B7E9-64495C74F1FC.jpg?v=1775841894","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-spanish-american-war-conn-national-guard-factory-engraved-u-s-colt-model-1894-new-army-d-a-38-revolver-serial-75366-with-factory-letter-made-in-1896","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}