Any idea what an 1894 colt DA 38 is worth???

[02-fatboy]

Ok so a friend of mine has this really cool old colt. Its an 1894 colt DA in 38 special which I believe would be the first year of production, its nickel plated, and it has a very low serial number something like 539 I think? Anyways the finish is kind rough and he wants to get $500 for it. Is this a fair price? What do you think this gun is worth. It locks up tight functions as it should and has no real issues other than its finish.

Thanks for your feedback. It look like it would be a cool gun to own but I can't help but wonder if $500 is a little to much due to the finish being so poor?

 

[jaykellogg]

I only have one of those guns and I am not an expert. The earliest do not have locking notches on the cylinder. I wouldn't touch that with an eleven foot pole for $500.

Just so you know, they do not shoot well because the ammo for them originally had the bullet out over the case (like .22 LR). The actions are fragile.

It is not a .38 special and although that ammo will chamber do not shoot .38 special ammo in it!

 

[Texas Star]

To clarify, it shoots .38 Long Colt, the round that failed in the Phillipines. I think some were also made in .41 Colt. Have to look it up to be sure, on the latter caliber.

In this condition, I think he'd be lucky to sell this gun at all.

Be advised that the cylinders don't have shoulders in the chambers to prelude chambering .38 Special or .357 Magnum ammo. It'll drop right in, as a friend in high school found when he tried that with his. It was in NRA VG-Plus to Excellent condition, not a junker like the one shown here. It has been in his family since the Spanish-American War, I believe.

Needless to say, the gun is very dangerous if fired with .357 ammo, which didn't even exist when these guns were made. They were replaced in the Colt line about 1908 by the Army Special, which became the Official Police with a name change in 1926. (I think the width of the sights may have been changed, but that's it.)

 

[02-fatboy]

Thanks for all the input. I am pretty sure I am going to pass on this gun. It looks really cool but its just in to rough of shape and is to much money.