new service to me smolleyoaks

[bandit7.5]

Snagged a new service colt this week from an estate sale.
It has to be about the ugliest colt I ever paid money for.
no finish going to rust, very thick way after market grips imitation bone
first model frame not the 1917 frame.
good to better bore in 44-40.
BUT as with my other 44-40 NS colt the bore is .429 and the chamber throats are
.424, how crazy is that.
still not bad for less than a bill.
did I mention it was still tight for a hundred year old piece.
Can't stay away from these old big frame colts.

[Dean D.]

Sounds like you got a great deal on a piece of history! Enjoy!

[218bee]

How does your other one shoot with those dimensions??? I've been wanting on of those in 38/40 and 44/40 to play with but ain't found one yet.

[9.3X62AL]

That one is certainly worth some TLC and clean-up. As far as the bass-ackwards throat-to-groove relationship, we see here where Ruger got its inspiration for the dimensions in the 44-40 Vaqueros. :)

I would be inclined to re-throat that cylinder to .430" as a part of any restoration.

[Tom Herman]

Congrats on your purchase... I also have a butt ugly New Service. Mine's in .455 Webley, and has been butchered to allow the use of .45 ACP as well. It has zip finish, a horrendous trigger pull, and poorly fitting grips.
Still, mine is a piece of history (and something else in its present shape!) and maybe someday it will be a good shooter.
Good Luck with your find!

Happy Shootin'!, -Tom

[bandit7.5]

218bee I had a 38-40 NS and it was the most accurate revolver I have ever owned.
sold it to pay the rent long ago when I had more hair and less sence,
The only smith in this area gave me a address to a fellow that would do a re-throat without touching the outside.
gonna leave it alone as is , it is apiece of history from this area
also as for my other 44-40 I don't know how it shoots as my .429 wadcutters won't chamber
either --- another one for a tonselectomy