Make: Colt

Model: Colt New Line Model (Colt New 30)

Serial Number: 3661

Year of Manufacture: 1875 https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/

Caliber: .30 Caliber Rim Fire

Action Type: Single Action Only Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel was marked “Colt’s PT.FA MFG.Co / Hartford, CT.USA”. The right side of the frame is marked “30 Cal.” . The left side of the barrel is etched “COLT NEW 30”. The bottom of the butt is marked “3661”. 

Barrel Length: The round barrel is 2.25” long.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” groove in the top strap. It is exposed when the shooter cocks the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece rosewood grips. Both sides show no handling marks. The grips rate in about excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel Frame with Fire Blue Accents

Finish Originality:  Original 

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is strong. There is no erosion in the barrel.10/10 for a bore rating in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. This gun has honest wear and honestly there is almost no wear at all. There is some finish loss to the frame near the arbor. The original fire blue color can still be easily observed on the hammer, screws, cylinder pin and spur trigger. The cylinder shows no turn line. The cylinder pin and its knurling remain in excellent shape. The screw heads are strong. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about excellent condition. 

Mechanics: The action does function correctly. The hammer will cock and the trigger will throw the hammer. The cylinder will index and lock-up tight. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The “New Line” utilized a .30 caliber cartridge matched to a 5-shot fluted cylinder fitted to a 2-1/4” long round barrel. This revolver was designed to be a small but potent self-defense revolver for stowing in one’s pocket in the 19th Century. Spur Trigger “Suicide Special” manufacture was fierce during this time, and Colt struggled to compete against the countless small shops making very similar, less expensive revolvers, though not necessarily of the same quality. The Colt remained a steady, reliable force in firearms for much longer than the rest. 

The New Line series of revolvers, including all calibers, was a single action pocket revolver introduced by the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in 1873 and continued through 1884. Two years after the Colt House Revolver, a year after the Colt Open Top, and almost simultaneously alongside the Colt Peacemaker, the Colt New Line was one of the first metallic cartridge, rear-loading revolvers manufactured by Colt.

The overall condition is excellent; 98% finish and the action is strong. The bore is in pristine condition with strong rifling. The grips are excellent. The numbers match on the frame and barrel. This may be the nicest new line you’ll see in this lifetime.