COLT US ARMY MODELS 1892, 1894, 1896, 1901, 1903 (DA 38 "NEW ARMY" - US ARMY ISSUED MODELS) Description
The US Army then followed Navy in adopting a modern 38 DA revolver. Based on Navy use, Army model has 2nd set of locking notches added to cylinder. 1892 and later DAs all look similar to 1889 Navy, except with double cylinder notches, double locking bolts, and shorter flutes, more square cylinder release thumb catch. Plain uncheckered wood grips (Army contract military issue models only). All Military models are all cal. 38 only and blue only.
US Army military issue models include Model of 1892, Model of 1894, Model of 1896, Model of 1901, and Model of 1903. 1903 and 1901 models were made and survived in greater quantity and so are worth less than earlier models. Most military models have been altered, refinished, reworked or otherwise altered, which reduces value. Technical alterations by the Army itself - such as cylinder-open lock bolt and lanyard rings added later were part of this evolution. Most alterations reduce value, but a few are sought after (similar to finding a correct SAA Artillery model) . Unaltered examples of Models of 1892, 1894 and 1896 bring a premium. US Models 1901 and 1903 are common.
Values below are only for US issued specimens marked on butt "US ARMY MODEL OF xxxx"; with original wood military grips, original barrel and with US Army military markings on the butt completely intact.