Colt New Service Revolvers

[Zsnark]

I have a craving for a Colt New Service revolver in .45LC. I've seen a few. I saw one which had a blue finish which appeared to be brushed. I am told that colt offered this finish along with usual shiny blue and Nickel. Every other blue Colt I've seen including several I've owned were shiny blue. I'd also like to know more about non 1917 versions and options.

Any expert feedback would be appreciated.

Al W

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've only seen the brush finish on military issue revolvers.

Colt's commercial guns were deep blued. Later WW2 re-issue and CMP sold off guns might have had a parkerized finish--done by US Army arsenals. Nickel was a factory option on commercial guns but it's pretty common to see a US marked one that's been nickled as an aftermarket finish.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, and you also see some that started out a .455 Webley and got reamed out to .45 Colt with a dull drill bit.

Buyer beware.

rc

 

[Dr.Rob]

If it's US marked it won't be .455.

US ISSUED 45 Colt Models should be marked US ARMY 1909 on the grip frame and have the lanyard loop.

 

[Old Fuff]

Up until about 1920, Colt commercial handguns had what they called their "trade finish," that today is sometimes called "charcoal blue." This was a deep, highly polished black-blue finish. They also had was was called the "militiary finish," which was applied by the same method but with less polishing. This made the color more blue and the polish flatter. Commercial New Service and U.S. Model 1909 revolvers had the high polish finish. Model 1917's were for the most part were "military finished."

After the war during 1919 or 1920, (give or take) Colt discontinued the charcoal process and went to an entirely different system, that they called "gas oven blue,"which resulted in a very blue-blue color over what appeared to be a wire brushed surface. This was used on both commercial and military handguns up until 1939 when the factory was retooled and a Parkerizing facility replaced the gas ovens.

So the blued finish on a New Service revolver depends on what it was, and when it was made.

Other revolvers made on the New Service platform inclued:

The New Service Target
The Shooting Master.
The FitzGerald Special
U.S. Models 1909 and 1917

 

[Jim Watson]

Was the Fitzgerald Abomination a cataloged variation?

 

[Jim K]

Technically, the Model 1909 was chambered for the .45 Colt, but that cartridge was never issued for it. Because the small rim of the .45 Colt gave extraction problems in the Model 1909 (and in the NS generally, but most civilian users didn't much care), the Army adopted a new cartridge called the Model 1909, which was the only cartridge issued with the Model 1909 revolver. (Because of the larger rim, only three Model 1909 cartridges can be loaded into the old Model 1873 revolver, but the army considered that revolver obsolete by 1909.)

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

Was the Fitzgerald Abomination a cataloged variation?

No, but it is considered to be a legitimate variation because the company produced it as a special order item. Fitz Special’s were carried by a diverse cross section of customers that included (future Col.) Rex Applegate to aviator Charles Lindbergh. It was also a popular model used by some top Colt executives – which would tend to prove company acceptance and approval.

The only controversial feature in the design would seem to be the cut-away trigger guard, as no one seems to get emotional about bobbing the hammer or making the butt shorter with the corners rounded, which the company adopted for the Detective Special among others.

FitzGerald did not originate the idea of cutting off the front of the trigger guard, as examples going back to the 1880’s are known. But he had his reasons, and they were found to be practical by some of the most accomplished law enforcement and military gunfighters of his day.

 

[Zsnark]

Many thanks you guys who know your sh, uh, stuff!

Really,

I do appreciate all the feedback. I know where I can get the facts.

Many thanks to all who answered me.

Al W