Custom Chic Gaylord Colt New Service Revolver In .45 Colt, MFD 1920
SOLD FOR: $2,580.00
WOA#: WY240606SH006
Make: Colt, Refinished By Bell Charter Oak Company
Model: New Service
Serial Number: 314141
Year of Manufacture: 1920 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: 6-Shot Double Action Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The barrel is marked, “NEW SERVICE .45 COLT” The crane arm and crane cut are marked, “314141” The left side of the frame is marked, “Chic Gaylord / NEW YORK HOLSTERS” The right side of the frame is marked, “BELL CHARTER-OAK COMPANY” The grip extension is marked, “PACHMAYR GUN WKS. LOS ANGELES, CALIF, MADE IN U.S.A.”
Barrel Length: 2 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch grooved in the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two piece Red Stag antler grips. There is faint handling wear present. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is dark as it has been blued. The rifling is worn. There is faint erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There are wear spots on the cylinder from sitting in a box or holster. There is a faint turn line. There are light scratch marks throughout. There are spots of touched up cold blue. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has light 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. The hammer has been bobbed, but the single action still functions.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt New Service Revolver in .45 Colt is a large-frame, double-action revolver that was produced by Colt’s Manufacturing Company from 1898 to 1946. Renowned for its robust construction and reliable performance, the New Service became one of Colt’s most successful and widely used revolvers during the early 20th century, serving both military and civilian markets. Chambered in the powerful .45 Colt cartridge, the New Service revolver was designed to handle the substantial pressures generated by this round. The .45 Colt, originally developed for the Colt Single Action Army in 1873, is a formidable cartridge with a long-standing reputation for stopping power. When paired with the New Service, the .45 Colt provides a potent combination that was well-suited for military, law enforcement, and personal defense applications. The New Service revolver features a solid, hefty frame that was built to withstand the rigors of hard use. Its large frame size and substantial weight, often around 40 ounces depending on barrel length, helped to mitigate the recoil of the powerful .45 Colt cartridge, making it easier to control during rapid fire. The design of the New Service revolver is straightforward and functional, with a focus on durability and reliability. It featured fixed sights, typically a blade front sight and a notch rear sight, which were sturdy and well-suited to the revolver’s intended use. The grip design was also practical, offering a full-hand grip that allowed for a secure hold, even under recoil. The grips were usually made of hard rubber or wood, depending on the specific model and era of production. The New Service revolver was adopted by several military forces around the world, including the United States, where it was issued as the M1909 revolver. This military version was chambered in .45 Colt and saw service during the Philippine-American War and World War I. Its reliability and ruggedness made it a favored sidearm among soldiers and law enforcement officers alike.
This particular revolver has been customized by the Bell Charter-Oak Company with a cut down barrel, new front sight, bobbed hammer, new stag grips, and has been refinished with a deep black color. The barrel is in decent shape, however the rifling is worn and there are spots of cleaned out erosion.
The Colt New Service revolver is now considered a classic firearm, highly regarded by collectors and firearms enthusiasts. Its combination of historical significance, robust design, and powerful chambering in .45 Colt makes it a prized piece in any collection, reflecting a time when revolvers were the dominant sidearm for both military and civilian use. Today, the Colt New Service is remembered as one of Colt’s great contributions to the world of firearms, embodying the quality and craftsmanship that the brand is known for. -R.E.
