October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
The New Service was one of Colt's best-selling swing-out cylinder double-action revolvers, with a run of approximately 365,000 from 1898 to 1944, as per R.L. Wilson in his book "The Book of Colt Firearms Third Edition" on pg. 364. Wilson further states that there were fewer than 75 factory engraved Colt New Service revolvers; so, of those 75, how many of them were target models and chambered in .44-40, as this one is? The Colt Factory Archive letter states this gun left the factory as a .44-40 with a 7 - 1/2" barrel, blue finish, and checkered wood grips. It was factory engraved with C.G. Tuffy inscribed on the right side of the frame. It was shipped to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, Illinois, on December 18th, 1925, Colt factory order number 1080/1, in a shipment of 1 gun. It now has a superb set of carved bullshead mother of pearl grips on it instead of the checkered wood grips. Scroll and foliate engraving. Checkered front and rear grip straps and a checkered trigger. 2 line barrel address "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT'D AUG. 5, 1884 JUNE 5, 1900 JULY 4,1905". The left side of the barrel has "NEW SERVICE .44-40". There is a Rampant Colt logo on the left side of the frame. It has target front and rear sights. CONDITION: This gun remains in absolutely stunning factory original condition. It retains virtually all of the original factory-applied blue finish, with just a hint of a turn line. Bright and shiny bore with sharp lands and grooves. Aftermarket Mother of Pearl grips fit the gun superbly. A great addition to any collection.
Caliber/Bore
.44-40 W.C.F.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Photograph, Information