Colt Double Action Army Model 1894 U.S. Army Revolver shiny bore

Colt – Double Action Army Model 1894 U.S. Army

Manufactured: 1895 – Caliber: .38 Long Colt – Early production, Colt factory refurbishment

This Colt Double Action Army Model 1894 U.S. Army, manufactured in 1895, was factory refurbished by Colt during its service life. Retaining its military markings and excellent overall originality, it is a fine example of the U.S. military revolvers issued during the closing years of the American Frontier.

History

The Colt Double Action Army Model 1892 and its successive variations (Models 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 and 1903) represent an important milestone in the evolution of American military revolvers. Developed by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, these models introduced a stronger and more reliable double-action mechanism than the earlier Colt Model 1877 while incorporating a swing-out cylinder for faster loading and unloading.

Adopted by both the United States Army and the United States Navy, the Colt Double Action Army gradually replaced the Colt Single Action Army in a number of military units. Chambered in .38 Long Colt, it saw service during the closing years of the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the early Philippine campaigns.

With more than 270,000 revolvers manufactured across all variations, the Colt Double Action Army series remains one of the classic U.S. military handguns of the late nineteenth century.

Our Revolver

This Colt Double Action Army Model 1894 was factory refurbished by Colt, as evidenced by the refurbishment star stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. This period refurbishment has preserved the revolver in outstanding overall condition, with an even, high-quality factory blue finish across all metal surfaces.

The original Colt markings remain sharp and fully legible, together with the military inspection marks, including the "U.S." marking on the frame and the appropriate government inspection stamps. Serial number 67XXX, found on the frame, butt, cylinder and cylinder latch, confirms an all-matching early production revolver manufactured in 1895. The original walnut grips, refinished during the Colt refurbishment, remain in excellent condition and fit the frame perfectly.

Mechanically, the revolver is in excellent operating condition. Both single-action and double-action functions are smooth, lock-up is tight, timing is precise and the revolver exhibits virtually no cylinder play or excessive barrel-to-cylinder gap. The absence of a cylinder drag line further indicates very limited use since refurbishment. The 6-inch barrel, chambered in .38 Long Colt, retains a bright bore with strong rifling, reflecting its excellent state of preservation.

This Colt Double Action Army Model 1894, factory refurbished by Colt and retaining its military configuration, represents an excellent addition to a collection of U.S. military firearms from the American Frontier period.

The revolver is accompanied by its official French National Proof House (Saint-Étienne) Category D classification certificate