Colt New Service .45 Colt Army Model of 1909

[varifleman]

Here for your perusal is Colt New Service .45 DA Colt Army Model of 1909 serial number 30443 which was 1 of 750 shipped to United States Government Commanding Officer Ordnance Depot Manila, The Philippines on June 17, 1909. Army Inspectors of Ordnance R.A.C (Rinaldo A. Carr) is visible underneath barrel; on back of cylinder and left side of frame and FB (Major Frank Baker) is seen on left side of frame.

[rintinglen]

Oh wow! What a piece of history! Somewhere along the line it has been parkerized and it looks as though the grips may have been sanded down a bit, but there can't be very many left in any condition. The Army only bought about 20,000, most of which never made it home from the Phillipines. These routinely go for 2500-4000 bucks when they hit the auction sites. Congratulations on your acquisition. I had a chance to buy a navy version some years back but it was too rich for my wallet.

[Outpost75]

Shame it was Parkerized, although appears professionally done, perhaps a WW2 refurbish.

Original finish according to your factory letter was blue. Mine has gone almost completely to patina.280403

[Jniedbalski]

Nice very nice

[cwtebay]

Awesome piece of history!!
Actual evidence that the military listened to their field reports and issued a stop-gap measure.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Thank you for showing us that treasure, varifleman. I've only seen 4 or 5 in my lifetime. When in my 30s I frequented a gun shop, and the owner kept one under the counter. When he went out of business I had an opportunity to buy it, but had too many other obligations at the time.

DG

[Drm50]

I’ve got a nice one but it’s 455 Eley. I’ve got a 45 Colt cylinder / complete assembly but have never got around to fitting it. I doubt I will since I’ve got 3 45Colt S&Ws.280404

[varifleman]

I have 200 rounds of 45 Colt ammo coming soon so will post a range report when I shoot it. I think almost all the Colt 1909s remained in the Philippines during their service life; perhaps Parkerized there. I've also got a WWI British Contract Colt New Service .455 Eley; will have to track down photos etc to post.

[Outpost75]

I’ve got a nice one but it’s 455 Eley. I’ve got a 45 Colt cylinder / complete assembly but have never got around to fitting it. I doubt I will since I’ve got 3 45Colt S&Ws.280404

They are worth lots more if kept in the original .455 Eley caliber. Now that Starline has brass readily available there is no reason to convert it. My 1914 .455 Eley was part of a 600-gun shipment to the London Armoury Co. and has Birmingham proofs, but no government property or regimental markings. It was likely a private sale, as officers were required to furnish their own kit.

280409280410

[Der Gebirgsjager]

You guys are turning me green :mrgreen: with envy! I've got several 1917s in .45 ACP, but no Eleys. I sure would have like to have them in my collection, but I've pretty much stopped acquiring--just getting too old to keep accumulating.

I always wanted a DA in .45 Colt, and I think I was more in love with that idea than with the New Service, which I find a bit large for my hand. Not to say that I don't like to shoot them...I do! I think it was about 1987 and I visited a LGS. There in the case was a S&W blue 6" in .45 Colt with an unfluted cylinder. It must have been an "N" frame, but it felt much better in the hand than a 1917. I think the price was about $450. I handed it back, but couldn't get it out of my head and went back the next day. Gone. Never saw another until at a gun show in 2006. The show was put on by our gun club and I was working security. The security people weren't allowed to do shopping while working. There, on a table with several hundred other handguns was a 4 inch. It showed some finish wear, but looked pretty nice. When I went back later at the end of my shift---gone. So, all my .45 Colt revolvers are Peacemaker-types.

DG

[Cargo]

Absolutely Beautiful

[varifleman]

Here are photos of my Colt New Service .455 Webley pistol which was 1 of 500 shipped to the London Armoury Company on December 26, 1916. It has a very interesting service history since it has British Army acceptance, proof and property marks and AEF (American Expeditionary Forces/US Flag cartouches on the grip and AEF stamp on the bottom of back strap. Still shoots flawlessly after almost 100 years!

[varifleman]

Few more photos:

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Another beauty! Sir, you seem to be an advanced collector. Congratulations on owning such nice pieces.

DG

[Outpost75]

Wonderful stuff! I had heard rumor of AEF use of .455s, but until now had never seen evidence to authenticate it.

[varifleman]

A few more photos:

[varifleman]

I got this book a few years ago and it contains good information about AEF troops who served under British command and were issued British firearms.

[varifleman]

Several years ago I was fortunate to obtain a crate of .455 Eley WWII issue ammo similar to this one and all of it is still good as the day it was made!

[Outpost75]

Several years ago I was fortunate to obtain a crate of .455 Eley WWII issue ammo similar to this one and all of it is still good as the day it was made!

I have some of similar vintage.

It is quite accurate and nearly silent when fired from the 20-inch Garden Gun.

280467

[Good Cheer]

Here for your perusal is Colt New Service .45 DA Colt Army Model of 1909 serial number 30443 which was 1 of 750 shipped to United States Government Commanding Officer Ordnance Depot Manila, The Philippines on June 17, 1909. Army Inspectors of Ordnance R.A.C (Rinaldo A. Carr) is visible underneath barrel; on back of cylinder and left side of frame and FB (Major Frank Baker) is seen on left side of frame.

Can't tell from the photo of the chambers, does yours have the groove behind the throats?
http://i.imgur.com/1i4nnsf.jpg (https://imgur.com/1i4nnsf)

[Thumbcocker]

I have 200 rounds of 45 Colt ammo coming soon so will post a range report when I shoot it. I think almost all the Colt 1909s remained in the Philippines during their service life; perhaps Parkerized there. I've also got a WWI British Contract Colt New Service .455 Eley; will have to track down photos etc to post.
Looking forward to the range report.

[varifleman]

Can't tell from the photo of the chambers, does yours have the groove behind the throats?
http://i.imgur.com/1i4nnsf.jpg (https://imgur.com/1i4nnsf)

Hi Good cheer; chambers on my 1909 look just like this one; are those the grooves you asked about?

[Jtarm]

Awesome piece of history you have there.

Thanks for sharing!

[Good Cheer]

Hi Good cheer; chambers on my 1909 look just like this one; are those the grooves you asked about?

Could be. The picture is kinda fuzzy when zooming in.

[varifleman]

Goodcheer; so what do the grooves mean; modified for a different .45 round? I'll see if I can get a detailed photo of chambers.

[Good Cheer]

I think it was meant to prevent fouling build up from effecting the functions of loading and shooting (military use) with continual shooting with black powder loads.

The 1909's were actually chambered for a cartridge with an ever so slightly different set of dimensions from the commercial .45 Colt.
Not saying it ever messed with developing loads but it has made me want to get a reamed out sizer die.
Forty years ago I was using a #450229 with the nose machined out straight (cylindrical) and light loading it backwards for a HPWC. Boy howdy would that ever roll an armadillo!

[Outpost75]

I have seen .455 Colt cylinders which were rechambered to .45 Colt simply by running a .45 ACP chamber reamer in deep. This leaves the abrupt step behind the more gentle transition from case mouth to ball seat.

[Hanzy4200]

Such a cool piece! I just picked a Colt 1917 at a local auction for $350. She needs a set of grips and a lanyard ring, but is in over decent shape. I'm glad she was missing those, as otherwise I think the price would have been three times that.

[robertbank]

Not sure if ths is relevant but Luger was I think the first to use stepped chambers, My two Walther PPQ's have stepped chambers and are said to be one of the factors that contribute to the PPQ's reputation for accuracy. The Ruger Blackhawk 45acp cy,inders have the same ledge to prevent the 34acp cae from sliding through the chamber and also to allow the cartridge to headspace off the case mouth.

Take Care

Bob

[varifleman]

Got several boxes of military issue Frankford Arsenal ammo for this pistol.

[smkummer]

The 1990 gun digest ran an article about these, that was the first I knew of the model as it wasn’t listed in the blue book. I soon found one at a gun show of which I still have. I was happy the author had the bore slugged and reported a .451-.452 groove diameter but as with all my Colts chambered in 45 colt even my anaconda, they shoot more accurate with .454 diameter bullets. Others have noted the grip frame size of the New Service on guns without the round butt (38 and shooting master models) and some do what I do and that is to add a grip adapter. That makes a bid difference for myself.

[slam45]

my M1909 colt... made and shipped to Manila in 1911... 110 years old and good for a hundred more... came to me with one grip panel broken and i found the new old stock pachmayr but not an original panel yet... a fine shooter and tight as a drum... nothing like an old Colt...




283214

[varifleman]

Took the revolver out to a friend's range and shot some 40 rounds and the old Warhorse performed flawlessly and was spot on every time. Yes, tight as a drum and a real hoot to shoot! Since this range has only metal targets no photos but next time will have photos of paper targets at another range. Used this modern factory loaded 45 LC ammo.

[robertbank]

I got this book a few years ago and it contains good information about AEF troops who served under British command and were issued British firearms.

Lions led by Donkeys.

Take Care

Bob

[varifleman]

I received this interesting reply re my Colt .455 New Service British contract revolver:

George: You have a wonderful example of the Colt .455 model. The markings leave no doubt it was issued to members of the AEF. Do you have any specific questions for us to research?

Jerry Schmidt, volunteer
Edward Jones Research Center Attendant
National World War I Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial Drive| Kansas City, MO | 64108
Desk: 816-888-8142
research@theworldwar.org

[Rusty Goose]

Here is mine I picked up locally last October. Manufactured in 1911, Army issued with acceptance stamps. The lanyard ring has been removed and a plug put in its place, I need to find one yet.
311015

[Kosh75287]

Refinished or not, it's just too cool for words. I like it.

[Outpost75]

Not to hijack the thread, but homage to the New Service .455 Eley. Serial number on this one dates it to 1915. Canadian crossed pennants property mark. Barrel was bobbed to 2-3/4" and sight professionally remounted long ago. Interestingly USGI .45 ACP headspaces against chamber cone and rim stands just proud enough for clean cylinder rotation. No moon clip will fit in unaltered .455 cylinder, but fired reliably without clips and empties fall out of their own weight.

Gun is at Sandy Garrett to tweak and adjust.

311089 311090