Hello all im new here but not new in other gun forms.I did post this at other sights but recieved no results,so i will try here.A friend has a 1905 colt army double action with these markings colt-spr.a.me.6.hartford conn.What we are trying to find out is some info of the gun and its value.I wish to say that i do hope to come here often and be part of the group,so i wish to say thanks in advance for the info.
1905 38 arny colt
- Thread starter warmwater
- Start date
To get an idea of what asking prices are on guns like your friend has, you can go to www.gunsamerica.com and put "Colt 1905" in the search routine. There are a fair number for sale at prices ranging from reasonable to obscene. Maybe you can find one that looks like his.
Clemson
Clemson
Paul Fitz Jones
New member
Caliber?
I am curious about the exact caliber marking on it as the 38 special was not invented yet and Colt had different 38 caliber cartridges which I know from my brass collection. Also have you tried to fit any current 38 caliber cartridges in it?
I am curious about the exact caliber marking on it as the 38 special was not invented yet and Colt had different 38 caliber cartridges which I know from my brass collection. Also have you tried to fit any current 38 caliber cartridges in it?
I will try to find out more but yes it has u.s. markings on it.I have not tried to put some rounds in it as of yet but that is a good idea.I read last night that thay made the 1905 for the marines in 38 super.How can i tell if it is a 38 super with out tryinging to find these rounds.
Assuming it is an early DA 38 Colt , do not try to shoot 38 Super or even 38 Spl . They will both fit in the chambers , but the operating pressures are higher than 38 LC and will most likely damage the gun and possibly the shooter .
How have you determined that it's a 1905 army ? What are the US markings you mention ? How is the LH side of the barrel marked ? Sorry for the 3rd degree . Without photos , we have to ask questions
As for the butt , simply turn it over and look at the bottom of the butt . It should have a lanyard ring and also the US model designation ex: "US Army Model 1903" or 1901 .
I'll try and post some pics later today .
How have you determined that it's a 1905 army ? What are the US markings you mention ? How is the LH side of the barrel marked ? Sorry for the 3rd degree . Without photos , we have to ask questions
As for the butt , simply turn it over and look at the bottom of the butt . It should have a lanyard ring and also the US model designation ex: "US Army Model 1903" or 1901 .
I'll try and post some pics later today .
If it is an unaltered Colt 1905 (the full correct name would be "Colt New Army Model 1905"), than it is undoubtedly chambered for the .38 Long Colt (also known as the .38 Army, and the .38 Navy). According to Ezell's Handguns of the World, the 1905 was a U.S. Marine variant of the New Army 1894; differing only in it's rounded grip. Whoever told you that the Marines chambered it in .38 Super may be mistaking that cartridge for it's parent cartridge, the more anemic .38 ACP (not to be confused with the .380 ACP), which shares the same 9x23 case dimensions. Some years after your friend's gun was made, revolvers were being chambered for the .45 ACP, so I suppose it is possible that the Marines did this with the .38 ACP. I am not a scholar on this subject, but it strikes me as highly unlikely, as this was not a standard service round, and would have no ballistic advantage (and maybe a slight disadvantage) to the .38 LC. If, it did happen, however, than the breech-face of the cylinder should be rebated to accept moon-clips, or the chambers should possess a shoulder, as the rimless .38 ACP would have nowhere to headspace in a straight bored chamber. In any case, guy sajer is right; neither .38 Special nor .38 Super should be fired from it. Personally, I wouldn't shoot it at all until I knew for sure what it was chambered for.
As far as collector value, there seems to be little information on that particular revolver available online. You may have better luck looking one of the old fashioned "books" on the subject. Or you can request a history from Colt, which should run your friend a hundred bucks. Here is a link to a page on the Model 1894:
Colt New army Nodel 1894
That should help you get an idea of where to look for the various markings. Here is Colt's Archive Services page:
Archive Services
As far as collector value, there seems to be little information on that particular revolver available online. You may have better luck looking one of the old fashioned "books" on the subject. Or you can request a history from Colt, which should run your friend a hundred bucks. Here is a link to a page on the Model 1894:
Colt New army Nodel 1894
That should help you get an idea of where to look for the various markings. Here is Colt's Archive Services page:
Archive Services
.... as the rimless .38 ACP would have nowhere to headspace in a straight bored chamber... Personally, I wouldn't shoot it at all until I knew for sure what it was chambered for.Very good advice !
Also , the 38 ACP and 38 Super utilize a semi-rimmed case that would probably headspace well enough to fire in the Colt [I know a guy that fires Supers from his S&W J frame].
Thanks for reminding me about the 1905 Marine model
