Colt New Service Revolver

.45

Description

It doesn't get better than this for the serious Colt collector! 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 5½" barrel, was adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces as the Model 1909 which went on to become the US Army Model 1917, (also known as the M17) which was created to supplement insufficient stocks of M1911 pistols during World War I. The Colt M1917 Revolver was a New Service with a cylinder bored to take the .45 ACP cartridge & the half-moon clips to hold the rimless cartridges in position. Later production Colt M1917 revolvers had headspacing machined into the cylinder chambers, just as the Smith & Wesson M1917 revolvers had from the start meaning the newer Colt production could be fired without the half-moon clips as this example can. The M1917s saw action again during World War II when it was issued to "specialty troops such as tankers & artillery personnel." During the Korean War they were again issued to support-troops. The M1917s were even used by the "tunnel rats" during the Vietnam War. Clearly this revolver did not see service! It was actually a special order & sent as a shipment of just one gun to a high profile local philanthropist / businessman/ activist named Burton B. Doolittle in Middleton, Connecticut on March 22, 1937. Doolittle served but little can be found about this & he stayed in the US during the war, hence the outstanding condition of this gun. The silver medallion walnut checkered grips are perfect & we would rate the condition of the gun overall as a great example of what would be called MINT! This is in genuine collector grade, unrestored condition & a great opportunity for the serious Colt collector to invest in what may be the best example in Australia at least. In this condition, these are highly prized by Colt collectors & can sell for in excess of USD$3,000 in the US. Do your own research & you will know if this is for you. Please view the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information. Ask for more if desired. We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional & are happy for feedback from people who know more than we do. Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an 'as is' basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting. We have a pretty unique refund policy on our collectable guns whereby we will refund your money if it is not as described when you receive it. Just let us know before you decide to send it back.  

Specifications