U.S. Marine Corps USMC Colt Model 1909 New Service .45 LC Revolver 1910 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,875

LSB #: 231108DM026

Make: Colt

Model: 1909 Marine Corps Revolver

Serial Number: 25714

Year of Manufacture: 1910

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Double Action SA/DA Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT D.A. 45”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG. 5. 1884. JUNE 5. 1900. JULY 4. 1905.”. The crane cut is marked “25714” over “N”. The crane is marked “25714”. The cylinder latch is marked “5714” on the rear face. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “128” under the ejector. The sideplate is marked rampant colt over a stylized “C”. The bottom of the frame is marked “U.S. / M.C.” and “No / 714”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle at the front and “3” at the rear. The inside of each grip panel has “5714” hand-written in pencil.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel above the muzzle. The rear sight is a U-notch grooved into the top strap.

Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood with smooth borders and smooth diamonds around the escutcheons. There are light nicks, scratches, compressions and some minor handling marks present. The checkering is distinct overall. There is a short crack at the bottom rear of the right panel. There are no chips present. The grips fit the frame with no movement. The grips are in Very Good Plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates an 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its original metal finish. The balance of finish shows finish wear scattered fairly evenly. Most worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. There is some wear from handling and storage. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun is in Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action does function correctly. The cylinder locks in each position with no play when the trigger is pressed. We did not fire this handgun. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic’s check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Colt came out with their large framed double action New Service revolver in 1898. The Army was looking for a large caliber double action pistol to replace their .38 caliber S&W and Colt pistols that had proved to have inadequate stopping power during the Philippine-American war, and adopted the New Service revolver chambered in .45 Colt in 1909. The Model 1909 would eventually be replaced as the US Army sidearm by the 1911, but the 1909 played a part in ensuring that America’s first autoloading sidearm would be a .45.

This M1909 Colt New Service is an early example made in 1910 and purchased for the United States Marine Corps. This was an interesting time in USMC history as the “Banana Wars” were ongoing, Marine aviation began, and The Great War would break out a few years later. While we do not have any information about this specific revolver’s service history, it could have participated in any or all of these. This example is showing wear consistent with a century-old service revolver, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. This will be a nice addition to a U.S. Marine Corps sidearm, Colt or early 20th Century revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

-J. Ren