Make: Colt
Model: New Service
Serial Number: 83967
Year of Manufacture: 1915
Caliber: Originally chambered for .455 Eley (Webley), re-chambered for .45 Colt.
Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 5 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall Patridge style blade. The rear sight is a "U"-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with Colt medallions at their tops. The grips have even moderate handling wear. The left panel has a long vertical crack extending up from the bottom edge toward the rear and interior cracking across the screw-hole. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple of more notable dings. The checkering shows wear, well defined in some areas. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as refinished and likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original, worn areas show treatment with cold blue. The cylinder may have been replaced and markings have been added (see Our Assessment).
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 25% of its metal finish. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear with most finish remaining in protected areas and around raised features. The trigger and hammer retain strong finish. The worn areas show treatment with cold blue. There is infrequent 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 usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 Colt New Service is a large frame, large caliber, double-action revolver made by Colt from 1898 until 1941. Made in various calibers, the .45 Colt version with a 5 1/2" barrel, was adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces as the Model 1909. At the time, the Webley was a standard sidearm in the British Empire, but officers were expected to purchase their own, which more often than not was Colt's New Service revolver.
This example is quite intriguing due to its markings. It was originally chambered for .455 Eley (Webley), but was at some point converted for .45 Colt and is so marked on the barrel. It also has British martial inspection marks including broad-arrow, though the cylinder has no British markings, possibly indicating replacement. Last, and most interesting, is the backstrap inscription "Edward C. Shannon".
No provenance or documentation was included with this revolver, but the most notable Edward C. Shannon of the era was a Pennsylvania native who served prominently for the American army during WWI. Due to his penchant for leading his troops from the front by at least six feet, he earned the nickname "Two Yard" and was presented with both the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star. After the war he would go on to serve as Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor. What is particularly odd about this inscription appearing on a British-purchased New Service is that Shannon commanded the 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division. As far as we could find, his unit never served with British units, but rather alongside the French.
In any case, it is surely an interesting WWI-era New Service that appears to have had a very unique life. It would be well worth further research and will display well in a Great War small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
