Help with a COLT

[Penmon]

I know this is the S&W forum and I know to some COLT is a four letter word but I trust you all.
So I purchased in a auction this 1895 Colt DA Revolver for three reasons,
1)I thought it was cool
2)I felt it would display well with some of my early S&W revolvers
3) It was cheap

Lot Description:
Colt Model 1895 New Army Double Action Revolver, #212098, .38 Colt cal., 4-1/2'' barrel, high polish blue finish, factory checkered walnut grips with deep-set Colt medallions. Mfg'd approx. 1903. Condition is very good retaining approx. 65% blue with most of the losses to front and backstrap, right sideplate, and left side of barrel just forward of caliber designation. Grips with moderate to heavy flattening. Action is crisp, bore is very good with minor pitting. Est.: $300-$500. (C&R)

So what on earth is 38 Cal.Colt...is it a short or long or since it was made in 1903 is it the same as the 38 S&W?

If I have the gun checked out and it'd safe can/where could I get ammo for it?

I believe this is the type of revolver that Teddy Roosevelt use in the Spanish American War,apparently the one he carried was recovered from the Maine.
I also believe that this was the cartridge that failed to preform in the Philippines and led to the adoption of the 45ACP.

Any help in identifying the correct ammo or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Penmon

 

[S. Hammer]

More than likely it's .38 Long Colt. That was the U.S. Service cartridge before the .45 ACP. It's a little shorter than the .38 Special, and used a 150 gr. lead bullet I believe. It will not interchange with .38 S&W or .38 New Police. Not easy ammo to find, but I believe one of the big ammo makers still makes a load for it. Cheaper Than Dirt has some available. .38 Long Colt can also be fired in .38 Special revolvers, but not vice versa.

 

[reddogge]

It's .38 Long Colt ammo and is available here.

Black Hills Cowboy Action Ammo 38 Long Colt 158 Grain Lead Round Nose

I have a Model 1903 military version of the revolver however these old left wheeler Colts are very fragile compared to modern revolvers and you could break something. I never shot mine as it has some collector value being an Army Colt.

 

[2152hq]

There is 38Colt Long and a 38Colt Short.

38 Colt Long can be made by simply trimming down 38Special brass to the proper length. Check reloading sites for the dimensions.
I think StarLine may even make the brass for the caliber now.
Same bullet diameter as the 38Special.
You're correct about it's performance or lack of and the eventual change to the 45.

38Colt Short used a 'healed' bullet style with a slightly larger diameter at the front end I think.

The 38Special brass is probably the right outside dimension to trim further to get the still shorter 38Colt Short round, but (just a guess here) the inside diameter may be too small as the thicker webb of the 38Special extends into what is now neck area of the 38Colt Short.

38Colt Long & Short is what the 1877 Colt Lightning DA revolvers were chambered for also.

 

[627 city hunter]

Nice gun.

It is always interesting to see what yall find at gun shows.

Thanks for the photo. Old revolvers of S&W and Colt are my favorites.

 

[Cyrano]

My Colt 1903 Military is bored straight through the cylinder. I shot it with 38 Special brass and somewhat reduced laods until I found some 38 Long Colt brass. It's still ticking.