Is this a model 1909 Colt? Military or Not?
I have a Colt .45 that is very limited on stamps & markings. It has Colt D.A .45 on the barrel along with Colt PTFA Mfg Company Hartford CT USA, PAT'D AUG 5 1884 JUNE 5 1900 JULY 4 1905. The only numbers I found are on the cylinder hinge; 16 6007 & below is 3400. The cylinder pin has 3400. There is a GW on the frame behind the grips.
Thats all I found after searching with a magnifier... I am guessing this was not a military issue as it would be marked. Is this a model 1909 & when is it's date of birth? I am listing this today & am just looking for any info that anyone wants to share, date of manufacture etc.
Thanks for your help! [:D]
Thats all I found after searching with a magnifier... I am guessing this was not a military issue as it would be marked. Is this a model 1909 & when is it's date of birth? I am listing this today & am just looking for any info that anyone wants to share, date of manufacture etc.
Thanks for your help! [:D]
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It appears to be a New Service Model. It should be serial numbered on the base of the grip. If there are no serial numbers on the grip, you might reconsider putting it on the auction. Until you can clarify this point. 0 -
There are no additional markings, serial or other anywhere on the gun that I could find... What else could it be if not a New Service Model? The New Service Model, is there a model number for this also? 0 -
The New Service was the only large, 45 Cal., double action, revolver that Colt made between the late 1890's and W W II. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
The New Service was the only large, 45 Cal., double action, revolver that Colt made between the late 1890's and W W II.
So is this the same as the 1909 New Service Revolver?
Here is one on auction:
http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=1295674760 -
your colt is a new service model, made in 1918.
these guns made between 1909 and 1926 had the roll markings on the top of the barrel that yours has.
(from 1926 to 1944 the last patent date was oct.5,1926.)
BUT, on the left side of the barrel should be (For civilian production)
new service .45 OR
new service target .45 OR
colt shooting master .45
BUT yours IS a military model, hence the COLT DA .45 on the left side of the barrel. most, not all, military models were STAMPED united states property on the BOTTOM of the barrel.
151,000 +/- were made for WW1
the colt logo on the left side plate changed 3 times during production, but yours is correct for the date.
It fires 45 auto (not acp)but there were some made civilian that fired 45ACP or 45 colt too.
I believe the 3400 number is the contract #
that's about all I know about it.
I'm sure someone here can tell you more.
tom0 -
It is not a 1909. Your bbl is tapered. Yours may be referred to as the "improved model which goes from SN 23,000 to 328,000. (Approximately.) It appears to me to be what is referred to as the "1917". It appears to be chamered for 45ACP/45 Auto Rim. You will have to check to see if it is bored clear through. Early ones were. It also does not have the bright polished finish of the 1909, rather the blue finish of the 1917. The tapered bbl indicates post WWl production. Additional information may be found in "Handgun Digest 1989" or "Colt New Service Revovers" by Bob Murphy. 0 -
This is a puzzling gun. First, it is clearly a New Service model. It is NOT a military Model 1909, which has a straight, non-tapered barrel, is chambered for .45 Colt and has a serial number well above the Model 1909 range, which ended at about 49,500.
I believe it is probably a Model 1917 with the military butt markings removed. (I am assuming there are no butt numbers since they are not mentioned.) I base that conclusion on the 166,007 serial number being in the Model 1917 serial number range, the gun not having the "Verified Proof" mark on the left side at the top of the trigger guard bow as was the practice with military contract Models 1917 and the fact that it is chambered for the .45ACP cartridge using "half-moon" clips. (Note the large gap at the rear face of the cylinder to accommodate the extra thickness of the clips.) It appears to have been refinished and commercial checkered wood stocks added. The "3400" stamp is an assembly number, not a contract number. Some Models 1917 did not have a property stamp as mentioned.
Puzzling factors are the absence of butt markings and an inspector mark. I suspect these were probably removed during refinishing. A factory letter is the only way to verify the true identity of this puzzling revolver.0 -
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Great information, much appreciated! have a great holiday...
Jonathan0
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