Colt New Service /1917 with a difference

[Muddyboot]

This revolver arrived today from Gunbroker, it really is an excellent condition specimen. The finish is factory fresh. Mechanics also like new. .41 LC's fit perfectly in the cylinder. New Service 41 Colt on the left side of the barrel looks like it could have been done at the factory.

As to who converted this 1917 Colt from .45 ACP to .41 Long Colt will have to remain a mystery.

 

[mtnmike]

Gorgeous old Colt! Is it possible it is an original in .41 LC? I don’t know much about the Colt revolvers, but hope to begin my education (via C&R) very soon.

 

[Muddyboot]

Gorgeous old Colt! Is it possible it is an original in .41 LC? I don’t know much about the Colt revolvers, but hope to begin my education (via C&R) very soon.

No, Colt never made them in .41 LC. Though it's possible they could have done some work on the conversion. I have sent for a letter, but don't think Colt had anything to do with the conversion.

 

[2152hq]

Great looking NS.

I think the bbl marking was done with a rotary cut pantograph by the looks of the lettering cuts in a closeup.
Maybe it was an orig 38-40 bbl and then re-marked. Maybe someone used a SAA 41 or 38-40 bbl and re-shaped it and then marked it. The SAA uses the same bbl threads as the NS though the two have a slightly different shank length.
A NS 38spl cyl could have been the source for a rechamber to a 41Colt cyl.

Whatever the case, it's a beautiful revolver and a beautiful piece of workmanship as well.
Colt would be proud,,,maybe they built it!

 

[Muddyboot]

Great looking NS.

I think the bbl marking was done with a rotary cut pantograph by the looks of the lettering cuts in a closeup.
Maybe it was an orig 38-40 bbl and then re-marked. Maybe someone used a SAA 41 or 38-40 bbl and re-shaped it and then marked it. The SAA uses the same bbl threads as the NS though the two have a slightly different shank length.
A NS 38spl cyl could have been the source for a rechamber to a 41Colt cyl.

Whatever the case, it's a beautiful revolver and a beautiful piece of workmanship as well.
Colt would be proud,,,maybe they built it!

I'll know if Colt was involved when the Colt Letter arrives, that's 5 to 6 months away. My bet would be some talented old time smith.

 

[SG-688]

In the 1930's, Colt made at least two experimental revolvers chambering an experimental .41 cartridge in 2-3 variations that were much more powerful the the .41 Long Colt.

RIA sold two cartridges and the supposed only two known .41 New Service revolvers in 2007. Barrels were marked "New Service .41" and "New Service .41 Colt."The 4 inch was #240216 but the 6 inch had no serial number.

RIA noted the guns were in Summer 2001 and fall 2003 issues of THE RAMPANT COLT. There was also an article by Robert E. Roy in the March, 1970 Shooting Times magazine that has the cartridges but not the guns.

Shooting Times has cartridge and case dimensions slightly larger than the .41 Long Colt with 200 grain bullets launch at projected velocities of up to 1150 fps.

I have the RIA information and the Shooting Times article in PDF that I can share.

P.S. A chamber cast might provide a hint while waiting for the letter.