New Service 455 ELEY

[mgdad]

Markings on barrel are:
COLT'S PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA
PAT'D AUG5 1884, JUNE 5 1900, JULY 4 1905

Is there other information I could provide or pictures that might identify age of this gun and approvimate value?

[RJay]

Per chance the serial number?

[mgdad]

68303 appears to be the number.
one photo attached. If others would be helpful, please advise. There is also the original leather holster, although this is somewhat work at clasp.

[Jim K]

That gun is a Colt New Service. It was made in 1914, in .455 Webley (which Colt called the .455 Eley), one of tens of thousands delivered to Britain prior to U.S. entry into WWI. More thousands were purchased privately by British and Canadian officers. Many were stamped with an "E" (England? Eley?) under the left grip.

Serial numbers of the .455 caliber were not contiguous, but are in the range from about 65000 in 1914, to about 139000 in 1917, when production was dropped in favor of the U.S. Model 1917, a modified New Service chambered for the .45 ACP.

As to value, my first impression is that the pictured gun has been reblued. If it has not, and is in that condition, value would run around $1700; reblued, the value would drop to about $600. Values given are retail prices.

Jim

[mgdad]

Thank-you kindly for your response. The gun was my grandfather's service revolver and I can attest has not been reblued. It has been stored in the original leather holster for decades and appears to be in excellent condition. Now if I can only figure out how to sell it legally (I am in Canada) I'll be a happy camper.

[valbehaved]

MGdad;
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