Colt. D.A. 41 info

[MCM]

My dad stopped by today (he just turned 80) and gave me one of his old guns. Its a neat old thing, but I have no illusions of it having much value. Just posting it here in case someone is familiar with it & wants to share some knowledge. I don't plan on shooting it or selling it. Just curious more than anything. Did research the round itself a little (41 long colt) and its as strange to me as it seems hard to find. LOL LOL
Am pretty sure it was a police gun that was carried so much the grips show holster wear.
Just something to talk about.

Here are a few pic's.

 

[murphydog]

It's a New Army/Navy, the .41 version of the .38 DA service revolver of 1889-1903. It has a hollow base bullet of .386" (I think) that expands with firing to fill the larger bore. I recall these were popular private purchase guns in the .38 Long Colt era for those who wanted their targets to stop slashing them with machetes.

 

[DGT]

Good for you, you are lucky to get that gun and lucky to still have your dad. Is he able to tell you any of the revolver's history?

 

[MCM]

Thanks for the info!

"New Army/Navy", didn't know that.

Is there a way to tell if it is a private party gun? I assume the military guns would be marked, were police guns marked as well?

Yes, the story is simple. He picked it up about 40 yrs ago at a coin / watch shop. Said he had a tough time finding ammo but gathered it the through yrs.' at the Pomona gun show. No real exiting history but that's the story. He said he never fired it as ammo was so hard to find and too expensive when he did.

I will pass firing it as well. The cylinder has about 1/8" of side to side movement (even when cocked)

 

[murphydog]

The military .38 DAs have Army (or Navy) stampings on the bottom of the grip frame and smooth walnut stocks, so this one started out as a commercial purchase.

Check the lockup with the trigger fully to the rear (unloaded of course ). If the rotational play you describe is still present this indicates a rebuild is in order, and there are relatively few parts and gunsmiths who can tackle this.

 

[MCM]

Thanks Alan, I do not plan on shooting it so I am not going to have it repaired. Its a wall hanger so to speak.
I read up on it a bit today and this model was known for its weak lock up and was improved shortly after. It said it was also the 1st swing out cylinder revolver used by the military.
I thought that was interesting in it self. Neat stuff.