Special ammo for a 100-year old .38?

[Marcus in the Darkus]

I spoke with my brother tonight about an old revolver that our father owned. It's an old Colt .38 revolver with a 6" barrel. Our other brother had it and a S&W 9mm semi auto that he got from my Dad's apartment after he passed away (before I had my LTC). My two brothers were spending some time together and they decided to split up the two handguns.

I was told it was made in 1897, based on my brother's Google search. He said the blueing is very good, with very minor pitting, and that the grips are in good shape, but the gun appears dirty and in need of a good cleaning. He's going to email me the model number and serial number. He was even able to look up information on the guy who originally owned it (and who's name is written in the holster). Apparently the original owner was with the Pennsylvania National Guard and spent time in Scranton associated with the anthracite coal strike of 1902. All we know is that my father bought the gun from a cop, probably in the late '40s.

Anyway, my brother told me he read on the net that he shouldn't use regular .38 special ammo in it, as it could damage the gun. Is this true?

Also, when he asked me what to use to clean it up, I told him to go to Wal-Mart and get some Hoppes #9. But then after our phone discussion I remembered he told me the grips were made of some sort of hard rubber. I imagine he should probably clean the grips with something milder?

I'll post up the model and serial # when I get it, and maybe a picture.

 

[terraformer]

I spoke with my brother tonight about an old revolver that our father owned. It's an old Colt .38 revolver with a 6" barrel. Our other brother had it and a S&W 9mm semi auto that he got from my Dad's apartment after he passed away (before I had my LTC). My two brothers were spending some time together and they decided to split up the two handguns.

I was told it was made in 1897 or 1894, based on my brother's Google search. He said the blueing is very good, with very minor pitting, and that the grips are in good shape, but the gun appears dirty and in need of a good cleaning. He's going to email me the model number and serial number. He was even able to look up information on the guy who originally owned it (and who's name is written in the holster). Apparently the original owner was with the Pennsylvania National Guard and spent time in Scranton associated with the anthracite coal strike of 1902. All we know is that my father bought the gun from a cop, probably in the late '40s.

Anyway, my brother told me me read on the net that he shouldn't use regular .38 special ammo in it, as it could damage the gun. Is this true?

Also, when he asked me what to use to clean it up, I told him to go to Wal-Mart and get some Hoppes #9. But then after our phone discussion I remembered he told me the grips were made of some sort of hard rubber. I imagine he should probably clean the grips with something milder?

I'll post up the model and serial # when I get it, and maybe a picture.

Actually, he probably shouldn't use .38 special at all. .38 special was created after 1900. It is probably a .38 S&W which was common during that period and a very different round pressure wise and much shorter. Post pics and details on the make, model etc.

 

[Beansie_Time]

It sounds like it's chambered in .38 S&W (also called .38 Colt New Police) I got some of this ammo in anticipation of an old revolver being shipped to me only to have the store call me back and tell me it had already been sold. If I remember correctly it was around $25 a box at Riley's.
Here's some info on Remington's load for that cartridge:
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=pistol&cal=9

 

[EddieCoyle]

It could also be a .38 Long or Short Colt.

 

[Marcus in the Darkus]

OK, it's an 1897 Colt D.A. .38. Serial No. is 883XX. Does that help narrow down the ammo type?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Does the cylinder swing out?

 

[EddieCoyle]

It's probably chambered in .38 Long Colt. Does it look like this:
http://www.gunsamerica.com/91439444...del_1892_Civilian_Colt_DA_in_38_Long_Colt.htm

 

[terraformer]

It could also be a .38 Long or Short Colt.

Good catch. The OP said the original owner was with a guard unit. .38 Long had a short history but most of it was with the army. You would have to hand load to make that cartridge unless some niche mfg makes some for it.

 

[Bob P]

If it's an 1897 it's most likely .38 Long Colt.

That's the gun that spurred the development of the 1911 as the .38 Long Colt performed poorly against the Moro's.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Starline makes .38 Long Colt brass - in a pinch you could probably trim about 1/2" off a .38 Special case and use that.

You can load .358 dia lead bullets for it, but accuracy is going to suck regardless. The cylinders in those old revolvers had no throats - the cylinder was bored through at the case diameter.

 

[Knob Creek]

If it is indeed .38 Long Colt then .38 Special loaded with wadcutters might (fit) work. But as others have said it could also be .38 S&W and outside chance of.38 Short Colt and all are different. If it was a old National Guard piece then likely its .38 LC. and According to Proofhouse it was made in 97 or 98 based on that SN#.

 

[EddieCoyle]

If it is indeed .38 Long Colt then .38 Special loaded with wadcutters might (fit) work.

That's a good point. In fact, if they'll fit, you're likely to get the best accuracy with .38 Special HBWCs. The longer case will "replace" the throat, and the hollow base of the bullet will expand to fill the .361" diameter bore.

+6 to you sir.

 

[terraformer]

If it is indeed .38 Long Colt then .38 Special loaded with wadcutters might (fit) work.

Don't go there. See here. Also scroll above for the back story. I would not try this with a live round. The pressure is far higher than either of those.
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=576618&postcount=18

 

[EddieCoyle]

Don't go there. See here. Also scroll above for the back story. I would not try this with a live round. The pressure is far higher than either of those.
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=576618&postcount=18

I'd do a .38 SPL in a .38 Colt DA with one of my own loads.

The pressure in those target WCs is way below max, and the cylinder of his .38 LC is unthroated and the same diameter as a .38 SPL cartridge.

ETA: You were referring to a .38 S&W revolver. The .38 S&W case is wider than a .38 SPL, and the .38 S&W revolvers have throated cylinders.

 

[terraformer]

I'd do a .38 SPL in a .38 Colt DA with one of my own loads.

The pressure in those target WCs is way below max, and the cylinder of his .38 LC is unthroated and the same diameter as a .38 SPL cartridge.

ETA: You were referring to a .38 S&W revolver. The .38 S&W case is wider than a .38 SPL, and the .38 S&W revolvers have throated cylinders.

Right, I was using that as an example. I trust you that it probably isn't a problem if you tune back a .38 special with a custom light load (your post wasn't up yet when I began to post the above), but to go to dicks and pull a box of wad cutters off the shelf and fire them seems a bit dumb to me.

And not all .38 S&W have throated cylinders as I showed in that other post.

 

[Marcus in the Darkus]

Jim, that photo you linked to is what I remember the gun looking like.

Any ideas where my brother can find .38 long Colt ammo? For that matter, how about .38 short Colt? He doesn't live in Mass so online ammo sellers are an option for him. I'll give him the info on .38 wadcutters, but knowing him he won't want to run any sort of risk with ammo, as this gun is a family heirloom.

 

[Bob P]

Cheaper then dirt sells them.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Here you go:
http://www.tenxammo.com/files/Shooter_Direct_Pricing_1-1-09a.pdf
http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21/products_id/672
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9524&categorystring=653***691***

 

[gerrycaruso]

Black Hills makes .38 long colt.

 

[Marcus in the Darkus]

Many thanks, guys.

 

[Ripach]

I spoke with my brother tonight about an old revolver that our father owned. It's an old Colt .38 revolver with a 6" barrel. Our other brother had it and a S&W 9mm semi auto that he got from my Dad's apartment after he passed away (before I had my LTC). My two brothers were spending some time together and they decided to split up the two handguns.

I was told it was made in 1897, based on my brother's Google search. He said the blueing is very good, with very minor pitting, and that the grips are in good shape, but the gun appears dirty and in need of a good cleaning. He's going to email me the model number and serial number. He was even able to look up information on the guy who originally owned it (and who's name is written in the holster). Apparently the original owner was with the Pennsylvania National Guard and spent time in Scranton associated with the anthracite coal strike of 1902. All we know is that my father bought the gun from a cop, probably in the late '40s.

Anyway, my brother told me he read on the net that he shouldn't use regular .38 special ammo in it, as it could damage the gun. Is this true?

Also, when he asked me what to use to clean it up, I told him to go to Wal-Mart and get some Hoppes #9. But then after our phone discussion I remembered he told me the grips were made of some sort of hard rubber. I imagine he should probably clean the grips with something milder?

I'll post up the model and serial # when I get it, and maybe a picture.

Not that it helps you any, but I had to comment. This is just an awesome story. I love hearing about guns passed from one generation to the next. Make me wish my Dad had been a shooter, I guess the best I can do is hope to start something new for my family by passing my guns on to my children. Anyway, thanks for sharing.