Colt D.A. 41
- Thread starter gibbs2030
- Start date
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Welcome to TFL !
AFAIK, there were at least 4 different "Colt DA .41 revolvers" - the 1877 Lightning, the 1878 Thunderer, the 1878DA & The 1899 series.
That SN precludes it being either an 1877 Lightning or 1878 Thunderer, as it's higher than either series.
I would WAG that you have a Model 1878-DA, which in .41LC is scarce.
That said, no true value can be found w/o one actually passing hands to see how much sombody's actually willing to pay - today.
It's virtually impossible to assign a possible value w/o knowing the "condition", which is best expressed as the remaining amount of original finish + the mechanical operating condition - compared to new.
The BBGV assigns values for the Model 1878 from $500 to over $5K, depending upon that "condition" (with a footnote for a $500 deduction for a non-working action) - from 10% to 100% original condition.
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Welcome to TFL !
AFAIK, there were at least 4 different "Colt DA .41 revolvers" - the 1877 Lightning, the 1878 Thunderer, the 1878DA & The 1899 series.
That SN precludes it being either an 1877 Lightning or 1878 Thunderer, as it's higher than either series.
I would WAG that you have a Model 1878-DA, which in .41LC is scarce.
That said, no true value can be found w/o one actually passing hands to see how much sombody's actually willing to pay - today.
It's virtually impossible to assign a possible value w/o knowing the "condition", which is best expressed as the remaining amount of original finish + the mechanical operating condition - compared to new.
The BBGV assigns values for the Model 1878 from $500 to over $5K, depending upon that "condition" (with a footnote for a $500 deduction for a non-working action) - from 10% to 100% original condition.
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Thank you for your reply. I have an idea this is the Thunder by what you have said. The gun however is nickel and gold plated and is ( as it appears) to be in very good and if excellent condition. The plating doesn't seem to be marred at all so I am hoping it is then in the high side of the value. Do you know where I can take this to have it appraised? Again thanks awesome response.
JT-AR-MG42
New member
Sounds like a 1901 New Army or New Navy from the serial to me. Born on date of 1902.
These are fairly common Colts and original condition is everything for value.
You mention nickel and gold plating? Your photos will need to be both close up and sharp.
A plated Colt as described would have been a special order only and would letter as such (and it would be considered RARE), so your photos would need to show the frame and barrel markings under the plating.
If the Colt 'Pony in a circle' at the left rear of the frame, the lettering on the barrel, or the assembly numbers on the various parts show ANY sign of fading or a lack of looking clear, the pistol has been re-finished.
MUCH more likely, the plating was done later. That would greatly reduce the value, unless the action timing was like new.
You probably need to reduce the MB size of your photos to put them on here.
JT
These are fairly common Colts and original condition is everything for value.
You mention nickel and gold plating? Your photos will need to be both close up and sharp.
A plated Colt as described would have been a special order only and would letter as such (and it would be considered RARE), so your photos would need to show the frame and barrel markings under the plating.
If the Colt 'Pony in a circle' at the left rear of the frame, the lettering on the barrel, or the assembly numbers on the various parts show ANY sign of fading or a lack of looking clear, the pistol has been re-finished.
MUCH more likely, the plating was done later. That would greatly reduce the value, unless the action timing was like new.
You probably need to reduce the MB size of your photos to put them on here.
JT
Thanks for the info yes all of the markings are very clear (I tried to reduce the MB's will be retaking photo's later and will post) however the markings all match as I said and are clear I am hopeful of course that this was one of the special orders spoke of. I will up load the photo;s as suggested if I can get the proper program to reduce the size. Thanks all was looking for any info I could find.
Bob Wright
New member
For whatever its worth, the "Lightning" and "Thunderer" were the same gun, except for caliber. The "Lightning" model was .38 Long Colt caliber, the "Thunderer" was .41 Long Colt caliber, both rod-ejector Model 1877. The Model 1878 was often called "The DA Frontier" and also the Model 1902 .45 Colt when purchased by the US Army.
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
Thread on another forum
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/general-firearm-discussion/125849-colts-3-print.html
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/general-firearm-discussion/125849-colts-3-print.html
Jim Watson
New member
Kev had it right the first time, New Army commercial. Made 1902.
The old left wheelers are not real strong, Colt kept upgrading them for the Army until the military went to the 1909 New Service and then the 1911 auto.
Yours has been prettied up by two tone plating as was popular at one time.
Highly unlikely to be a factory special order.
There was a shop in my home town that did a lot of these; nickel, gold and SHINY blue, sometimes all three at once.
The old left wheelers are not real strong, Colt kept upgrading them for the Army until the military went to the 1909 New Service and then the 1911 auto.
Yours has been prettied up by two tone plating as was popular at one time.
Highly unlikely to be a factory special order.
There was a shop in my home town that did a lot of these; nickel, gold and SHINY blue, sometimes all three at once.
Many of those guns were hard used, given a polish job, and plated to sell at fancy prices to beginning collectors. I can't be positive that the plating is not factory, but I think it very unlikely, and some good quality pictures should help in assessing that gun.
FWIW, the terms "New Army" and "New Navy" were commercial terms; the military did use those guns (there were a series of models) but only in .38 Long Colt caliber. Both .38 and .41 were sold commercially.
Jim
FWIW, the terms "New Army" and "New Navy" were commercial terms; the military did use those guns (there were a series of models) but only in .38 Long Colt caliber. Both .38 and .41 were sold commercially.
Jim
To be really picky, if those are the original grips, it is the New Navy; the New Army had the "pony" grip insignia. That and an "N" on the frame for the Navy were the only differences.
It is not commonly known, but after about 1903 (c. #200,000), those guns were made to take .38 Special simply by drilling the chambers all the way through. The markings did not change, but some Colt ads state that the guns would "now" accept .38 Special. There seems to have been no change to either the dimensions or the materials, and in fact the cylinders for the Army Special were the same diameter and material as for the New Army/Navy.
The drilled-through chambers will also take .357 Magnum, but the use of that round is definitely NOT recommended.
Jim
It is not commonly known, but after about 1903 (c. #200,000), those guns were made to take .38 Special simply by drilling the chambers all the way through. The markings did not change, but some Colt ads state that the guns would "now" accept .38 Special. There seems to have been no change to either the dimensions or the materials, and in fact the cylinders for the Army Special were the same diameter and material as for the New Army/Navy.
The drilled-through chambers will also take .357 Magnum, but the use of that round is definitely NOT recommended.
Jim