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LOT 1265
Very Rare Documented BATFE Exempted .45 Colt New
Service Model Double Action Smoothbore Revolver
with Factory and BATF Letters, Photographed in “Colt
New Service Revolvers” Book - Serial no. 326618, 45
Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured on April 24, 1926, according to the
included factory letter, which confirms the revolver’s current
configuration including the 7 1/2 inch smoothbore barrel
chambered for .45 caliber, smoothbore cylinder, blue finish,
and rubber grips when sent in a lone shipment to Carlin &
Fulton in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 29, 1926. This revolver is
listed by serial number on the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms (BATF) Curio or Relics List, making it a true rarity
and particularly desirable as an example of arms that would
otherwise be restricted by the National Firearms Act, and is
also pictured on page 62 of “Colt New Service Revolvers” by
Bob Murphy. Features fixed blade front and topstrap notch
rear sights, lanyard loop on the butt, standard two-line Colt
address and patent dates on top of the choked smoothbore
barrel with the model and caliber listed on the left, Rampant
Colt on the left of the frame, along with “triangle/VP” and “3” on
the left of the trigger guard. Fitted with a pair of un-numbered
checkered hard rubber grips with “COLT” logos. Also includes a
May 10, 1990, dated response letter from the BATFE, in regard
to a February 9, 1990, request letter, confirming the revolver by
serial number as removed from the provisions of the NFA.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% plus original blue finish
with rub wear and silvering on the sides of the barrel, some
light edge wear, a light cylinder drag line, minor spotting/
freckling, some brown patina showing through on the grip
straps, and minor handling marks. The grips are excellent with
crisp checkering/logos. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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