Make: Colt

Model: New Service

Serial Number: 324141

Year of Manufacture: 1926

Caliber: 38-40 Winchester Center Fire

Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 7 1/2”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with "COLT" in oval across the tops of the panels. The grips have light handling wear. There are a few notable dings on the left panel. There are some other scattered minor marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is wear along each side of the barrel and behind each cylinder flute. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with long vertical scratches on the grip straps. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. Overall, this revolver is in Good-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: The New Service revolver entered production in 1897 and was the first Colt double action revolver with a cylinder rotation to the right. The New Service was available in various calibers, but when the Army decided to adopt it in 1909, they were looking for a man-stopper to replace their New DA Army revolvers that gained such a poor reputation in the Spanish American and Philippine-American wars. The result was the .45 Colt chambered Model 1909. After the Army switched to the Model 1911 semi-auto, they wanted revolvers in the same caliber for WWI, and the Model 1917 New Service was adopted, chambered in .45 A.C.P.

In addition to their military offerings, the New Service was also sold on the commercial market in a variety of configurations and chamberings. This example is chambered for .38-40 Winchester with a 7 1/2" barrel. The bore is still in pretty good shape and the mechanics are strong, so this revolver would be well worth taking out on the range. It will also display well in a collection of Colt swing-out revolvers. Please see our photos and good luck!