Colt Double Action Army 1900, .38 Long Colt Caliber – Rare 4½-inch Barrel, Mirror-Bright Bore

Colt Double Action Revolver – Model 1895 Civilian

Manufactured in 1900 – .38 Long Colt Caliber – Rare 4½-inch Barrel, Mirror-Bright Bore

This civilian version of the Colt Double Action Army Model 1892—featuring the rare 4½-inch short-barrel configuration and chambered in .38 Long Colt—is in an excellent state of preservation. Boasting a superb, mirror-bright bore and flawless mechanics, this revolver is both a highly desirable American collector's piece and an excellent firearm for Western-style shooting.

History

The Colt Double Action Army Model 1892 and its various iterations (1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, and 1903) represent a pivotal milestone in the evolution of American military double-action revolvers. Developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company, this model introduced a mechanism that was simpler, more robust, and more reliable than that of the Colt 1877 Double Action, marking a major technical advancement in the late 19th century.

Adopted by both the United States Army and the United States Navy, it gradually replaced the Colt Single Action Army in certain American military units. Its side-swinging cylinder allowed for much faster reloading and an improved rate of fire, foreshadowing the standards of modern revolvers. With over 270,000 units produced across all variants, the Colt Double Action Army remains a cornerstone of American military service revolver collections today.

Our Model

This short-barreled Colt Double Action Army revolver possesses undeniable charm, thanks to its original finish, which remains remarkably well-preserved. The Colt markings are crisp, deep, and perfectly legible—including the famous, finely engraved Colt "prancing pony" logo, which is often heavily worn on examples that have seen extensive service. The serial number 133XXX, located on the butt, confirms a date of manufacture of 1900. The original grips are perfectly fitted and in excellent condition, displaying a beautiful, uniform brown hue that is particularly attractive.

Mechanically, the firearm is in excellent working order, with no play or excessive cylinder gap, indicating likely limited use throughout its history. It functions perfectly in both single and double action, with precise indexing. The barrel—featuring the rare 4½-inch length and .38 Long Colt caliber—has a near-mint, mirror-like bore with crisp, deep rifling that ensures excellent shooting accuracy.

This rare configuration of the Colt Double Action Army will appeal equally to collectors of U.S. service firearms and Western shooting enthusiasts looking for a precise, fully functional historic revolver.

Sold with its classification certificate (Category D(e) historic firearm) issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House.