Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt New Army & Navy Model 1892 commercial double action revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt and marked COLT. D.A. 38 on the barrel. It retains its checkered hard rubber grips, matching observed assembly number 736 on several internal and related components, much of its original blued finish, and a very good six groove bore. The serial number on the butt has worn away, but the surviving patent markings and later interlock feature place manufacture in the early production period, most likely circa 1894.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Colt New Army & Navy revolver family represented an important step in the development of Colt’s modern double action service revolvers. The Model 1892 and its later variants used a swing out cylinder carried on a crane, a spring loaded ejector rod, and both single and double action operation. Early examples such as this were designed around the .38 Long Colt cartridge and preceded the later refinements introduced on the subsequent 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and 1903 patterns.

The top of the barrel retains the original factory and patent marking:

COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.
PATENTED AUG.5TH 1884 NOVEMBER 6TH 1888.

The side of the barrel is marked:

COLT. D.A. 38

The checkered hard rubber grips retain the Colt Prancing Pony at the upper portion between:

COLT
1892

Just above this on the left side of the frame is the Colt "Prancing Pony" in a circle marking, introduced in 1891. The rear of the cylinder, frame beneath the cylinder crane, the crane itself, and the cylinder release are all marked with assembly number:

736

supporting continued association of these components.

The original serial number on the bottom of the grip frame has worn away and is no longer legible. Because of that, the revolver cannot be assigned an exact production year from serial number data. The surviving early patent marking predates the later 1895 patent legend, while the revolver also incorporates the interlock that prevents the action from cycling with the cylinder swung out. Based on those observed features, circa 1894 is the most conservative approximate date.

The revolver remains in very good overall condition and retains a substantial amount of its original blued finish. The trigger still shows traces of its blue-purple niter finish. No major rust damage or serious structural issues are noted.

The bore is in very good condition with the early six groove rifling still clear and well defined. The lands and grooves remain crisp with a generally bright appearance, while some evidence of past fouling and oxidation is present in the grooves toward the breech end.

The cylinder swings out to the left correctly, and the cartridge extractor remains functional. The action cycles in both single and double action, with no obvious functional deficiency noted during basic handling. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

Overall condition is very good, with strong original finish, intact hard rubber grips, matching observed assembly number 736 on the related components, and a very good six groove bore. The principal issue is the completely worn butt serial number, which prevents exact serial based dating.

With its early patent markings, commercial hard rubber grips, swing out cylinder, matching observed assembly number 736, substantial original blue, and circa 1894 feature configuration, this is a strong example of an early Colt New Army & Navy D.A. .38 revolver. It would fit especially well in a Colt double action revolver, early swing out cylinder, late 19th century commercial sidearm, or American firearms development collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1892-1894
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: New Army & Navy Model 1892
Caliber: .38 Long Colt - six groove rifling
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Double / Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.