Make: Colt

Model: New Service Model of 1909, US Army

Serial Number: 41867

Year of Manufacture: 1911

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel; the sides of the blade have file marks and the blade is bent slightly to the left. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The inside of each panel has "41867" hand-written in pencil, the bottom of the right grip is stamped "R.A.C.". The right panel has a crack at the bottom across the indexing stud hole. The grips have some nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration from age and handling. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent faint erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered wear, most notable in the grip areas and along the sides of the barrel and in areas where light surface erosion has been scrubbed out. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with vertical scratching evenly scattered along the barrel. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screws range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Colt came out with their large framed double action New Service revolver in 1898. The Army was looking for a large caliber double action pistol to replace their .38 caliber S&W and Colt pistols that had proved to have inadequate stopping power during the Philippine-American war, and adopted the New Service revolver chambered in .45 Colt in 1909. The Model 1909 would eventually be replaced as the US Army sidearm by the 1911, but the 1909 played a part in ensuring that America's first autoloading sidearm would be a .45.

This M1909 Colt New Service was made in 1911, with proper R.A.C. stamps for inspector Rinaldo A. Carr. This example is in about Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with a service revolver, retaining a majority of its original finish, a surprisingly nice bore and strong mechanics. This will be a nice addition to a US Military sidearm, Colt or early 20th Century revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!