Make: Colt
Model: New Service
Serial Number: 6154
Year of Manufacture: 1901
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a tall 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 hard rubber with "COLT" in oval at their tops. The interior of each panel has "6154" hand-scribed. The inside of the right panel also has "San Antonio", "1918" and "Jack Welch". The grips show even light handling wear with a few scattered minor marks. There is a little more notable scuffing on the bottoms of the panels. The right panel has a tiny loss at the bottom-front corner. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 30% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in protected areas, around raised features, and along the top of the barrel. Most other surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are scattered spots of light oxidation and infrequent spots of minor surface erosion. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in 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 1911 New Service was adopted, chambered in .45 ACP.
This New Service revolver is a commercial model chambered in .44-40 Winchester with a 7 1/2" barrel, longer than the military issued models. Despite being a commercial revolver, it has a lanyard ring installed on its butt, a feature more typically associated with military revolvers but offered by Colt for civilian purchase. It was manufactured in 1901, fairly early in New Service production, and is in about Good condition. This revolver should gather some interest from collectors of Colt revolvers and may still prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
