Colt New Army & Navy U.S. Model 1896 .38 Long Colt Revolver, 6-inch Barrel, DA/SA, U.S. Army Contract
This Colt New Army & Navy U.S. Model 1896 revolver stands out as a U.S. Army contract example chambered in .38 Long Colt with a 6-inch barrel. It features R.A.C. U.S.
Ordnance sub-inspection stamps, non-matching assembly numbers on the crane and frame (frame marked "K 4000" and crane marked "4006"), and correct Model 1896 details including the swing-out cylinder with rear-pull latch and the absence of a lanyard ring. Fixed sights and smooth walnut grip panels complete this historically significant service configuration.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This service revolver shows scattered scratches and blemishes, with areas of finish wear and pitting. Cylinder lockup timing is mildly loose. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Grizzly Hand Crafted Mexico leather holster with basketweave tooling and snap strap
- Remington Kleanbore .38 S&W cartridge box (empty)
- Letter of authenticity
- Hard Case
The U.S. Model 1896 configuration is evident throughout: a steel frame with a solid topstrap, an exposed ejector rod guided by a short front barrel lug, and a six-chamber fluted cylinder. The cylinder swings out to the left and uses a rear-pull, checkered cylinder latch—hallmark traits of this Colt service design.
Chambered in .38 Long Colt, this double-action/single-action revolver wears a 6-inch carbon steel barrel marked "COLT D.A. 38" with patent-date rollmarks. Fixed sights include a half-moon front blade and a rear topstrap notch for a clean, period-correct sight picture.
U.S. Ordnance sub-inspection marks are present, with R.A.C. stamped on the cylinder face and on the right-frame upper grip area. Assembly numbers are non-matching, with the frame marked "K 4000" and the crane marked "4006".
The revolver retains its smooth walnut grip panels with brass escutcheons, consistent with the New Army & Navy series. The absence of a lanyard ring aligns with the Model 1896 pattern. Materials are steel for the frame and cylinder, and carbon steel for the barrel, reflecting robust U.S. service standards of the era.