Colt New Service 7.5″ .38-40 Winchester WCF Double Action Revolver 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,025.00
LSB#: WY250118SB003
Make: Colt
Model: New Service
Serial Number: 60794
Year of Manufacture: 1914 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester Center Fire (.38 WCF)
Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with “COLT” in oval at the top of each panel. The inside of the left panel has the serial number hand-scribed; the right panel is scribed, but the numbers are not legible. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light nicks at the bottom edges. There is a scratch on the bottom face of the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable finish loss is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some scattered wear along the barrel, mostly along the sides. Most worn areas are going to a light patina. There is some other scattered minor oxidation. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is wear on the butt from the lanyard ring. The action shows operational wear including a thin turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has barely perceptible play with the trigger depressed on all chambers. The single action trigger pull is crisp and the double action is smooth. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The New Service revolver entered production in 1897 and was the first Colt double action revolver with a cylinder rotation to the right. The New Service was available in various calibers, but when the Army decided to adopt it in 1909, they were looking for a man-stopper to replace their New DA Army revolvers that gained such a poor reputation in the Spanish American and Philippine-American wars. The result was the .45 Colt chambered Model 1909. After the Army switched to the Model 1911 semi-auto, they wanted revolvers in the same caliber for WWI, and the Model 1917 New Service was adopted, chambered in .45 A.C.P.
In addition to their military offerings, the New Service was also sold on the commercial market in a variety of configurations and chamberings. This example is chambered for .38-40 Winchester with a 7 1/2″ barrel and a lanyard ring on the butt, a less common configuration for this model. The bore is still in decent shape and the mechanics are strong. It will make a nice addition to a Colt collection and may still prove to be a fun shooter for the .38 WCF enthusiasts. Good luck and happy bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
