Original Item: One of a Kind. The Colt Model 1896 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 COLT. D.A. 38 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.

This 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.

The New Army & 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.

This is a fantastic one of a kind named "private purchase" example, which was not delivered to either the Army or the Navy, who both used the revolver. It was named using what looks to be an engraving pen on the right side plate, which is somewhat hard to read, but we were able to get a good picture which can be seen below. The inscription reads:

Benj. G. Packer
Co. H
3rd Wis. Vol. Inf.

Research indicates that Benjamin Graham Packer was born on April 13, 1877, in Stark, Illinois. He enlisted in the Wisconsin Infantry and was assigned to Company H, 3rd Infantry Regiment. He served in Puerto Rico during the Spanish American War, fighting in several skirmishes. He married Gertrude Harriet Dean on June 29, 1904, in Hennepin, Minnesota. They had five children in 11 years, and some years later he became Commissioner of Immigration for the State of Wisconsin. He died on October 30, 1944, in Madison, Wisconsin, at the age of 67, and was buried in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

We have found documents online confirming Packer's enlistment information, which included the application for a military headstone following his death, as well as his obituary and a picture of the headstone itself. There is also a copy of his 1918 registration for the State of Wisconsin Government. These are digital only, and are not included with the revolver.

As this is a commercial model, it features the classic checkered hard grips with the COLT pony logo at the top. These are however not matching, so it looks like the left grip was broken and replaced at some point long ago, as both show significant age. The serial number marked on the bottom of the grip frame is 99602, indicating production in 1898 per Colt factory records. The frame under the cylinder crane, the cylinder crane itself, and the cylinder release are all marked with assembly number 826. There is no marking on the cylinder, but we see no reason to suspect that it was replaced at any point.

The top of the barrel is still marked with the original manufacture and patent information, correct for the model 1896:

This revolver is stamped with the 1895 patent date, granted for improvements to the revolver. Condition of the revolver is very good showing some of the original bluing present on the left side of the frame, while the rest of the revolver has worn to a mottled patina. This definitely looks like a revolver that spent time in a holster in the moist climate on Puerto Rico for a time. There are no signs of major rust or other damage. The bore is in very good condition, with a bright finish and clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear and oxidation in areas. The cylinder swings out to the left correctly, with a functional cartridge extractor. We did not notice any issues cycling the revolver in both single and double action, though the ratchet is a bit worn, leading to slop in the lockup in single ation.

A lovely example of a named private purchase Spanish-American war U.S. revolver, which almost certainly saw service during the Spanish American War. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1898
Caliber:  .38 Long Colt
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Double / Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

3rd Wisconsin Infantry in the Puerto Rico Campaign

In June, they were sent to South Carolina to prepare for the invasion of Cuba, but were delayed due to logistical problems and missed the Cuba campaign. Instead, in July 1898, they joined the Puerto Rico campaign. They occupied the cities of Ponce and Coamo, and engaged in skirmishing in that area until the cessation of hostilities in August. During one skirmish, the regiment was fired on by Spanish artillery and suffered two killed.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.