Make: Colt

Model: 1905 USMC Civilian Production

Serial Number: 10088

Year of Manufacture: 1905

Caliber: .38 Colt / .38 Special

Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 6"

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have fairly even moderate handling wear, with the checkering generally smooth, but visible. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the bottom. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, some worn areas show treatment with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 35% of its metal finish. Most finish is on the frame around the cylinder with some in well protected areas and around raised features. The grip straps, trigger guard, outside of the cylinder and barrel have mostly worn to white. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable 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, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a Colt Archives letter and color photo copies of an article in the Summer 2020 edition of "The Rampant Colt", detailing the 1905 USMC and Commercial Production models by author Robert Best.

Our Assessment: Introduced in 1892, the Colt New Navy and New Army revolvers were an improvement on the 1889 Navy. The models saw continuing improvement with different design changes receiving different model numbers: 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 and 1903. There was one more design change in 1905 at the behest of the United States Marine Corps. In order to more closely match their old Smith & Wesson 1899 Model revolvers, Colt gave the frame a more rounded backstrap. Still a fairly small force in 1905, the Marines only ordered 812 of the model over seven contracts from 1905-1909. In addition to the Marine-ordered revolvers, the same model was produced for commercial sales with 929 produced over the same years. Model 1905 USMC Commercial Production revolvers began at serial 10001 and were available with or without a lanyard ring, those ordered without had the hole plugged. They also featured checkered walnut grips rather than the hard rubber used for the New Navy and New Army Models.

This revolver is the 88th Model 1905 USMC Commercial Production, serial 10088. It shows wear consistent with its age and has had some worn areas treated with cold blue, but is a nice example of a particularly scarce Colt. The revolver comes from the personal collection of Robert Best, author of "A Study of Colt's New Army and Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers" as well as an article in the Summer 2020 edition of "The Rampant Colt" which details the history of this model. The included Colt Archive letter confirms that this revolver shipped June 28, 1905 to E.K. Tryon, Jr. & Co. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as one of three guns of the same type in the shipment. This will make a wonderful addition to an early swing-out revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!