Colt New Service variations.......

[bobwright]

I've always been a fan of the Colt New Service since it was my first revolver of my very own. I'm not a collector and have a very limited knowledge of collector terminology as applied to revolvers. I know that on Smiths such things as Five Screw and/or "pre-Model xx" describe the variation of a particular model.

My question: What terms describe the variations of the New Service? I don't mean the New Service as opposed to the Shooting Master. Some New Service guns have straight barrels while later have the "bell" at the frame joint. The frame is different in the trigger guard area, and the hammer block safety may or may not be present.

So?

Bob Wright

[doughboy1953]

Couple books on New Services though not that cheap.
Most collectors use following jargon:
Old Model: have the straight barrel (not reinforced at muzzle). Have a reduced size trigger guard (trigger guard is not flush with edge of the frame: like a New Model Army and Navy. Originals didn't have a pinch in the upper frame close to barrel end. They don't have the internal safety and don't have a reinforcing bar mid-grip (under the wood or composition grips). Typically serial number 1-21000 I think.
Transition Model typically 21,000-23000 serial number: looks like Old Model (probably may have pinched frame near barrel) but has the internal safety.
The Improved Model: first versions typically the Colt M1909 series revolvers which go from about 25,000 to 50,000 with some commecial revolvers probably interposed. (Note these serial number ranges are crude and hipshot from memory). Looks more modern as far as trigger guard goes but still has the non-flared barrel. (THOSE started with the M1917 US revolvers).
Later versions well into the 1920s went away from the L-shaped cylinder release latch to more modern rounded latch but these aren't that common for New Service in terms of total numbers: vast majority of them were WWI and earlier.
There were target versions with adjustable sights and typically checkered/fleur-d'lis'd grips (probably spelled THAT wrong). Later the New Service Targets were supplemented and finally replaced with the Shooting Masters which typically had a slightly rounded grip and the latest frame configuration.
Probably well over half the New Services were military issue or at least government: biggest single contracts were sales to Britain in WWI (.455, though a few Old Models may have been Boer War issue to Brits: very few, and Canadians), the Colt M1909 (in USN, USMC and USA versions with the USA being far most common) and the M1917s which was almost half the total production alone. The Colt 1909s were in .45 LC although in reality a special wide brimmed M1909 round was loaded for them, but the M1917s were of course in .45 ACP.
Original WWI M1917ss were blued but many refinished for WWII service in parkerized.
5-1/2" barrels were most common probably but towards end of production started to see 6" and 4" barrels for police. 7-1/2" barrel lengths were popular early and I believe theoretically available to the end of production.
Total production from 1898 to 1942 or 1943 was probably less than 400,000 so not a super common revolver compared to a Model K Smith and Wesson or even the mid-framed Colts of New Model Army/Navy; Army Special/Official Police and Python frame sizes or the final Mk IIIs. ALso the Police Postiive framed revolvers greatly outproduced the New Service.
Most popular of the swing out Colts for collecting I'd say although the Pythons and Anacondas are popular as well. Cheaper to collect than Single Action Armies, but not cheap typically.

[bobwright]

doughboy 1953:


So, to condense your post, they are: (exclusive of target Models, Shooting Master)

1. Old Model

2. Transitional Model

3. Improved Model

4. Later Model (?)

Bob Wright

[doughboy1953]

Basically right Bob Murphy and Timothy Mullin call the last types "Late Model" and date them from 1928 to end of production.
I actually don't think I have ever seen a "Late Model" New Target with the rounded cylinder release: they aren't that common a gun.
Actually, I live in southeast Idaho and am surprised at how few "service" type revolvers are seen, especially Colts. I don't seek them out but attend local shows in Pocatello and Idaho Falls regularly and have hit shows in Salt Lake City and Boise. Maybe people are hanging onto them. (I'm hanging onto my 4 New Services.)