1915 Colt New Service revolver .455

[bigduke6]

Second .455 to the collection, was collected today, has a few rust spots/pitting on the out side but nothing that can't be rectified.

Information

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[mrclark303]

Very nice Geoff, WW1 private purchase prior to the 1915 Government buy?

The private purchase examples without the broad arrow and Enfield inspection stamps are rare revolvers here in the UK.

Are you going to re-blue her?

[bigduke6]

John it is a Government one, very small broad arrow on frame and military proof, not sure about re blue, quite like it as is, got that used look. Come with an original holster too.

[#1oilman]

Any History as to the original owner! I recently was given one by a friend whose grandfather had carried it during the Great War, he was a Major and signed up for duty at 57. He had served in the Militia prior to the war hence his rank and was assigned to the Royal Canadian Artillery. The gun was stored in the floor joists of an old house on the top plate of the foundation in its holster and suffered from the poor storage, the holster was dried right out and stunk to hi heaven but has responded well to some leather treatment. I took some ultra fine steel woll soaked in oil to remove the worst of the rust. I will post pictures later. Yours is a great find, if it were mine I would leave it as is.

[bigduke6]

#1oilman, No history behind it, bought from a dealer, but would say the Holster has been with the pistol since day one unfortunately no markings on it, only the rack number on bottom of the grip, the serial number is a 1915 one so suspect a RFC issue ??

With it next to the Webley the finish is similar so will leave as is, just the small pitts to deal with. Enquired about a French Lebel 8mm pistol the night before so expect to do a deal on that on tomorrow or Tuesday.

[mrclark303]

I think the bulk (if not all) were government purchased in 1915 Geoff and most issued to the RFC.

I used to have a Private Purchase 1914 dated example that had been suncorite painted, so I always assumed Home Guard issued in WW2?

---------- Post added at 07:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 PM ----------

Looking forward to the Lebel pics Geoff!

[bigduke6]

John, That will be some time away, not long got the FAC back, took a long time due to the spot checks on all the RFD's and FAC holders, limited staff in the office so long delays......also now or in future there looking for tighter security over 12 firearms, obvious 12 + makes you more dangerous.

[desperatedan]

12+ Geoff? North of Hadrian's Wall (that's Scotland for those viewers not in the UK!) anything over 9 is treated as "higher risk" needing extra security. No basis in law of course.....

[bigduke6]

The Dangerous bit come from a dealer in Wales, a mate of mine went down to pick a rifle up, he had around 22 rifles and a few slots on his FAC, when he was talking to the dealer about his local force getting the arse that he had 22, the dealer in his Welsh accent said " so you have 22 at present..... and another is going to make you more dangerous "

[browningautorifle]

I will post pictures later.

Looking forward to that thread...

1915 Colt New Service

Nice honest looking old revolver...