I just picked up this Colt New Service in the middle of that picture. It's cut down and has really nice sights added. I stuck it in a holster I made years ago and it has a new home. Then I shuffled grips around and came up with this combination that suit me in looks and feel. Do any of you have a New Service Colt, in any condition, and if so, let's see 'em!

Yes.

But I never seem to have any more cash left over for them after I buy something else!!!

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Wyatt,

Funny timing...I saw two today. One that was converted to a .357 Magnum....and another that was in .45 with two barrels. The original barrel had a cracked forcing cone and had been replaced. The thing is, it was a very rare barrel length....

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Non gratum anus rodentum

Just this 1909;left center. A good shooter, and it comes with good memories of my dad and I shooting it 30 some-odd years ago.

The New Service is my favorite Colt revolver. I've fired more rounds through a M1917 Colt New Service than any other Colt and it is still chugging along.

Here's my same two New Service revolvers as always.

Top: Model 1909 .45 Colt
Bottom: Model 1917 .45 ACP

Wow..your 1909 looks exceptional.

That is the only gun that I don't need that I really really want.

I am now... those pictures got me HOT, HOT, HOT!

''

I'm thinking your 1909 is a little better.

Always felt that the New Service Double Action in the big bore was the second best looking gun to Colts Single Action Army...

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Non gratum anus rodentum

Not a very good pic but it's my 38 Special Shooting Master made in 1928. I wish I could find one in 44 Special.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

This gun was taken off of a Mexican criminal in Chicago in the '60s. I was told that it was an M1917, but all indications are that it is a commercial New Service. It's got a .45acp cylinder, and keyholes with pretty much every shot. Local consensus is that somebody in Mexico thought that it was a neat gun, but that .45 Colt was too hard or too expensive to come by. So, they installed a .45acp cylinder. The problem is that when the gun was made, .45 Colt and .45acp had significantly different bore diameters. The bore is probably .454 or .455. The .451-.452 bullets just go bouncing down the barrel. I could probably buy a used Glock for the price of a proper .45 Colt cylinder... if I could find one. I haven't checked on .45acp barrels lately.

I also like to post this photo which shows the size comparison of the largest and smallest Colts of the early 20th Century. Here's the same Model 1909 .45 Colt, shown with the runt Colt New Pocket .32 Long Colt. Also a sampling of the two cartridges along with a .22 Long Rifled for comparison.

Here's mine, the victim of tragic reblue in the 1980s that left it this wonderful two tone color:



It shoots great, though, and I'm toying with the idea of turning into a Fitz Special. It was shipped to Simmons Hardware in 1902. Its a .45 Looooong Colt.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I am a fan. Here is mine.

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He who angers you,controls you

About 45 years ago I borrowed a 1913 vintage 7 1/2" .45 Colt from an uncle. After I hit a soup can at about 15 yards six out of six I was hooked and have been ever since. First centerfire handgun I ever got to shoot. That gun now resides in the vault along with several junkers I will be rebuilding. I wish I could see the issue sights as well now as I could then. Love N frame S&W's too but got interested in those much later in life.

Joni,

That is quite the gun... I've owned two shooting masters in my day...

But neither were up to the standards of that one. Very Nice!

Steve

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Non gratum anus rodentum

I like the New Service a lot. Here's a pic of my .38-40:

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too TOO young!!

Somebody get a rope!!!!

I only have one New Service at this time-a 7 1/2" .45 Colt. I once owned a 7 1/2" .38-40, which I believe was a rare combination. I traded it off because of the ammo price and lack of bullets and brass. Of course, this was before Cowboy Action Shooting revived the .38-40.

I have several .44 Russian/Special barrels and cylinders. Someday I plan on converting this one.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here's the only one I know and love. It handles the .357 cartridge like a .22. This is indeed a big gun.

Jerry

My Colt New Service is from 1919 in 45 Colt.

Rod



.

Not New Service but close enough to love: Colt New Navy 1895, built 1902.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

just this one

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C & L

New Service Target.

My only one

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

If you pull that baby out at the range, I bet you get some attention. Where did the way cool grips come from?

Here's a New Service Colt 45 I inherited from my father. Manufactured 1921, great shooter. 40 years ago my dad was talked into sending it off for a nickel job and had the lanyard removed. Oh well.

Mick, or is it Mike. Look at the front sight on my 1917. I think this came up before but our guns look like they were modified by the same guy. We live probably about an hour apart. My gun was actually carried by an off duty ex cop here in California. I wonder if these guns are related.

Hey Wyatt...you or MickeyD live anywhere near Fullerton? John B. Williams Gunsmithing in Fullerton CA (now defunct I think) did the work on mine so I've found out. Even though mine is a completely different modification, he may have done yours in the past...who knows.

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C & L

I do LOVE those short ones! How do they shoot compared to a short N frame?

Jerry

Hello all. I own one Colt revolver. A New Service in 45 Colt.
Serial # is 353334 , it seems to be one of the latest production
N.S. right up to WWII.
I paid $1200. for it ,and would do it again.

They are a beast of a wheelgun, with much to like.

Condition is exceptional for a 70 year old gun.All original ,including grips.

Most N.S.s I see have the early thumb piece, anyone know about when the cylinder release was changed?







Regards , Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Thats a nice one allen!

I always wanted one in .38 WCF. But it was either that or the Triple Lock in .44 Special with my limited supply of funds with the baby and all.

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Vaya con Dios

Here's a pair of .38 Specials-a New Service & a Shooting Master.The flap holster is a Lawrence & the carved holster is a Heiser.


Next are 2 .45 ACP New Service revolvers.The one on the left is a "Civilian" model,made from WW I 1917 parts by Colt in the 1930's & sold for a reduced price.The one on the right is a Colt factory rework-it has an ampersand stamped on the trigger guard on the right side.
The Lawrence flap holster has "TEX Aug. 1934" etched into the back by a previous owner.


Regards,
turnerriver
SWCA # 1426
CCA
NRA Endowment Life member

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turnerriver

"...anyone know about when the cylinder release was changed?"

IIRC, mid 1930s. It was the last Colt model to change to the rounded release.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

turnerriver,

That Lawrence flap holster is outstanding. Never saw one like it before, Amigo...

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Non gratum anus rodentum

I looked this up once. I believe it was changed in 1928.

T-Star

Factory originals.

I, too, think the change to the rounded latch was late '20s.

Here's mine, a Model 1917 New Service.

Attached Images

Colt1917.jpg (18.5 KB, 109 views)

There is a gun made in 1928 pictured in this thread, and it does have the rounded cylinder release.

I guess it could have been retrofitted, but I'm almost sure that I found 1928 to be the date of the change.

Thanks for the reply. I've seen similar grips once or twice over the years and assumed, incorrectly, they were after market customs.

I keep coming back to this thread and looking at the pictures of the lovely revolvers, especially yours.

Dreams of an old bullseye shooter, I guess; but I keep seeing some man in brown duck trousers, a Pendelton shirt (pack of Luckies in the pocket), wearing a beat up Montana crown hat, with one of these beauties in his hand. He's standing there flat footed with his off hand in his pocket and SHOOTING, just like God intended.

The man and the pistol were part of the times, and those times are gone. But I'm glad some of the pistols remain.

Charles

Thanks for the kind words.

There was a thread in the prewar revo section some months ago by a member who inherited his grandfather's 7 1/2" NST in 45 Colt, along with the shoulder holster. He even had documentation in his grandfather's letter or diary as to exactly when he got it, IIRC. It was a working gun, his grandpa being an outdoorsman. Your comments reminded me of it. Very fun thread. You should try to dig it up!

Hi:
I have two. A New Service in .45 Colt and a Model 1917 in .45acp.
My question: How do one shoot double action?
Both have double action trigger pull that is HEAVY!
Jimmy






Top: Single Action Army .45 Colt
Second: Colt New Service .45 Colt
Third: Colt Model 1917 .45acp
Fourth: Colt Combat Commander .45acp
Fifth: Colt Targetsman .22LR
Sixth: Colt Frontier Scout .22RF
Seventh: Colt Trooper .357 6"
Eighth: Colt Trooper .357 4"
Ninth: Colt Official Police 4" .38spl
Tenth: Colt Agent .38spl

That was Twaits. I'll ask him to join the coversation.

"My question: How do one shoot double action?
Both have double action trigger pull that is HEAVY!"

I carried a Colt 1917 as a police duty weapon for awhile. To ease the trigger pull, I put a 1/4" drill bit between the leaves of the mainspring and cocked the hammer.

Heavy isn't too bad, as long as the action is smooth.

I shot a 99% on a police qualification with that old '17.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I'll post a picture and a link to the thread in a bit. Right now all the computers at work are screwed up due to an upgrade...

Here's the link with all the info:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21492

Muley Gil. PM sent your way.

twaits, thanks for the link. Great post. Looking at the revolver and the holster he selected, it seems likely that your grandfather put a great deal of thought into the purchase. This was probably not an impulse buy.

That adds what I think is an important aspect to all the excellent revolvers in this thread. Some of them were likely purchased by men of means, to whom the cost ment little. But most of them almost certainly represented a considerable investment to the men who bought them. These were top of the line revolvers and were priced accordingly. There were less expensive options available.

Put it this way, I'm not sure what a timber cruiser does, but it sounds suspiciously like hard work. His opinion of that Colt must have been high indeed for him to part with the serious coin involved.