A U.S. martial Colt Model 1896 revolver in .38 Colt, serial 143236, made in 1900 with a 6-inch barrel. The metal has aged to a light gray and brown patina. The grips show the wear you would expect from handling and have had an extra coat of varnish applied at some point, with a faint cartouche still visible on the left panel. It was inspected for the U.S. military by R. A. Carr.

Military-inspected Colts from this period are collected on the strength of the inspector marks, and this one keeps its cartouche, faint as it is. The 6-inch barrel and .38 Colt chambering are the standard service configuration. For a Texas collector of U.S. martial handguns it belongs beside the Single Action Army, and it should be kept as a display piece rather than shot.

Key features

• Colt Model 1896, made in 1900
• .38 Colt, 6-inch barrel
• U.S. military inspected, faint cartouche on grip
• Light gray to brown patina
• Grips re-varnished, handling wear

The revolver ships to a Texas FFL dealer you choose, where a buyer 21 or older shows ID and completes Form 4473 and the NICS check.