Colt New Service .45 Colt 5-Inch WWI-Era Revolver – 1917 Production with Factory Lanyard Ring
Produced in 1917, this Colt New Service revolver delivers a genuine World War I pedigree backed by matching serial numbers on the frame and crane. Chambered in the authoritative .45 Colt and fitted with a scarce factory 5-inch barrel, it retains its original hard-rubber Colt grips and military-style lanyard ring. Collectors looking for a service-size Colt from the Great War period will recognize the significance of these authentic details.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Fouling: Mild Fouling - Light buildup of fouling or dirt.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
What’s Included
- Aftermarket Mershon grip adapter (loose, not installed)
This New Service falls within the 139xxx serial range, placing it squarely in Colt’s 1917 wartime production. That timeframe aligns with U.S. military contracts, adding historical interest for collectors focused on World War I sidearms.
The revolver is one of the relatively few factory 5-inch New Service examples. Most production ran 5.5 or 6 inches, so the shorter tube offers both balance and scarcity value.
All major components—frame, barrel, cylinder, and crane—are carbon steel finished in Colt’s period bluing. The original blued lanyard ring remains intact, a feature often lost on hard-used service guns.
Correct pre-1924 checkered hard-rubber Colt grips are still in place, showing the rampant Colt emblem and providing an unmistakable period look.