[averawc]

Need help accurately identifying a revolver, getting an estimate of its selling price and best way to sell it.
Here is what is on the revolver:
1. Top of barrel -COLT'S PT F.A.MFG. CO. HARTFORT CT.U.S.
PATENTED AUG.5TH 1884 NOVEMBER 6TH 1888
2. Left side of barrel - COLT. D.A.41
3. Cylinder has groves between chambers, small notches almost in line with the hammer-end of the groves but slightly offset and groves on hammer-end that are perpendicular to the chambers.
4. Left side of frame has what I think is a thumb release to roll out the cylinder. It is a flat bar with the number "29" stamped on it and the end turns up 90 degrees and is checker on the cylinder side of it.
5. At the top of the checkered phenolic grips is a round medallion with "COLT" above a rearing horse with a spear in its mouth and another between its front legs, a rosette in front and in back of the horse and "1892" at the bottom.
6. Stamped on the frame above the grips is the same but smaller rearing horse.
7. The butt is stamped with "10" over "280".
8. The trigger is smooth.

The bluing is very thin in places.
I did no check the inside of the barrel for pitting. It generally appears to be in good condition considering its age.
The owner I am trying to help says that he has a box with ammunition.

Attached are pictures

 

[dfariswheel]

You have a Colt New Army & Navy, 1982 commercial model.
This one is a New Army model.

The serial number is 10280, which was made in 1893.
The grips are actually hard black rubber.

The "29" is a factory assembly number.
The same number should also be stamped on the cylinder crane, cylinder release, and other some other parts.
An assembly number was used to keep fitted parts together during manufacture to insure the parts went back on the right frame. Once the serial number was stamped on the butt, the assembly numbers no longer had any meaning.
If the assembly number is not the same on all parts, parts have been replaced.

In 1889 Colt introduced the worlds first double action, swing-out cylinder revolver.
These were made as both military and commercial revolvers.
The 1889 was first adopted by the US Navy in 1889, then the Army in 1892.
Colt put the new gun through a rapid series of improvements which were the Model 1889, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and the 1903.
Production ended in 1907.

Military models had US Army or Navy stamps on the butt and military inspectors stamps on the frame.
The military model was made in .38 Colt Long, with a 6" barrel, and smooth walnut grips. Finish was bright blue.

The commercial models were made in .38 Colt Long, .41 Colt, and in the last couple of years in .38 Special, and .32-20.
Barrels were 3", 4 1/2", and 6". Finishes were bright blue or bright nickel.

It was the military New Army model in .38 Colt Long that failed in the Philippines in the Moro War, and led to the development of the Colt Model 1911 .45 Automatic.

These revolvers have notoriously complicated, fragile actions that get out of order or break rather easily. TREAT IT GENTLY.
There are no parts available and virtually no gunsmiths will even attempt repairs.
Break it.... that's it.

Value depends on the actual condition of the gun judged by the amount of original finish left, on the gun being in proper working order, and being in original configuration (grips, barrel, finish).
In order to be worth much it needs to be in higher condition.
Here's a "ball park" value range. Note that these are only estimates and these may bring a little more or less:

10%--$175
20%--$200
30%--$225
40%--$250
50%--$285
60%--$300
70%--$400
80%--$500
90%--$700
95%--$1,175
98%--$1,700
100%--$2,000
Guns made before 1898 bring a premium.

Selling it can be a problem due to it's age and lack of readily available ammo. Ammo is available, but few people shoot these because of the risk of it breaking.
This is one of those guns that you have to find the right buyer for.
It is a historic revolver, being the first double action, swing-out revolver ever made, but many thousands were made and they aren't rare, especially in lesser condition.
Local gun shops will offer virtually nothing.
Probably the best price would be had on an internet auction on a gun auction site like Gun Broker, but even then, it would need to be in pretty good condition.

 

[stand watie]

averawc,

GOOD LUCK on finding shells for a .41Long Colt revolver.
= I sold the one that I had in the mid-1960s when I could no longer buy shells for it.

Btw, that BIG, SLOW "hunk of lead" is a good short-range stopper, though NO better than a .38SPL loaded with a 200 grain lead bullet.
(The .38 Super Police load was the LIKELY reason that the .41LC was discontinued.)

just my opinion, sw

 

[Charlie Petty]

I think dfarriswheel gave you chapter and verse on the gun.

Condition is everything and sadly that is what this gun doesn't have. 10-20% is probably close. Chances are if you look down the bore it will be badly pitted. Everything there was in it's day was corrosive.

Even if ammo was everywhere shooting it would not be a good idea. The last commercial ammo was made in the 50s by Winchester and is probably too valuable to shoot.

 

[averawc]

Thank you all! You have been a BIG help. I will pass this information on to the owner whom I am sure will appreciate your knowledge and assistance as I do.

Thanks again!

 

[dfariswheel]

Some of the Cowboy ammo makers are again making the .41 Colt, and the .38 Long Colt.

It's expensive but it's reloadable. New made brass is also being produced.