Colt New Service Model 1909 US Army 5.5″ .45 LC Military Revolver, 1911 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,151.65
WOA#: WY240713MS016
Make: Colt
Model: New Service Model of 1909, US Army
Serial Number: 35102
Year of Manufacture: 1911 (COLT Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT D.A. 45”. The underside of the barrel is marked “”UNITED STATES PROPERTY””, “P”, and “R.A.C.”. 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 “35102” over “Z”. The crane is marked “35102”. The cylinder latch is marked “K”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “R.A.C.”. The rear face of the cylinder release is marked “5102”. The right side of the frame at the rear is marked “R.A.C.” and at the top with “F.B.”. The sideplate is marked rampant colt over a stylized “C”. The bottom of the frame is marked “U.S. / ARMY / MODEL / 1909” and “No / 35 / 102”.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a tall shark’s fin style blade. The rear sight is a “U” shaped groove in the top of the receiver.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber with “COLT” in oval at the top. A Pachmayr grip-wedge is installed on the frontstrap. The panels have minor handling wear with some scattered small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is notable finish wear in the grip areas and along each side of the barrel. There is fairly evenly scattered minor surface oxidation, more notable in the worn areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screws range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has no play whatsoever 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: 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 sidearm would be a .45. This M1909 Colt New Service was made in 1911, and is dotted with R.A.C. stamps for inspector Rinaldo A. Carr. This example is in about Very Good condition, showing wear consistent a service revolver, retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. This will be a nice addition to a US Military sidearm, Colt or early 20th Century revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud