Colt New Service

Corrections Cop · April 3, 2014, 01:56 PM

I have a 1902 Colt New Service in .38-40, and I was wondering if anyone knew how much it would be worth. I have seen some on gunbroker from $1000 on up. But those were common calibers, I have not seen anything in .38-40 with the 7 1/2 inch barrel. I have never shot this since I got it. If anyone has any more info on this revolver it would be great.

Thanks,

Here are some pictures

**Mike Irwin** · April 3, 2014, 01:59 PM

I think what you're seeing on Gunbroker and the other online sites for rounds like the .44-40 and .45 Long Colt should be pretty indicative of the value on this gun.

The .38-40 wasn't the most poplar chambering, but it wasn't rare, either, so it really doesn't command much of a premium.

Corrections Cop · April 3, 2014, 02:03 PM

Thanks, I have not seen to many. I thought the .38 WCF was rarer than that.

Bob Wright · April 3, 2014, 02:35 PM

Your gun looks to be in very good shape, if its original finish. Also it is one of the very early models from its appearance. If its all original it should bring top dollar.

Bob Wright

40-82 · April 3, 2014, 03:24 PM

One thing I feel compelled to add. If for some reason you do choose to carry or shoot this revolver, the Colt New Services made before 1908 do not have the hammer block, and you can only safely carry five rounds. You may already know this, and you didn't ask, but just on the off chance you didn't know and needed the information I thought I'd throw it in. You have an excellent revolver in a classic cartridge.

Corrections Cop · April 3, 2014, 03:55 PM

Finish - When I first got a few years ago I put some of that cold blue on it to try and clean it up but I think it either wore off or I didn't do it right. I did not know about the 5 round information, that's good to know. Exactly what is "top dollar" for this pistol because if the price is right I might want to sell it.

**Mike Irwin** · April 3, 2014, 04:31 PM

As I said, it's not a common chambering, but it's not really rare, either.

It was, obviously, intended to be paired with the Winchester 1873/1892, and .38-40 was still a decent seller in thoses guns.

I've seen maybe half a dozen at gunshows over the years.

There are at least two for sale here:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Col...fm?cat_id=1344

There's also at least one here, in the middle of the page:

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx...lt+new+service

And here's one with the same barrel length as yours, but doesn't have any finish left:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=404773611

The rarer chamberings in the New Service are probably .476 Eley, .44 Special, and .357 Magnum.

Supposedly there were some made in .22 Long Rifle, as well, although those might have been later conversions.

**Mike Irwin** · April 3, 2014, 04:32 PM

Oh, the cold bluing you put on it?

For a collector, that can significantly affect the price in a not too good way.

Corrections Cop · April 3, 2014, 04:36 PM

I know about the cold bluing now, thanks for the links also!

Seems like maybe 1300 would be a fair price?

**Mike Irwin** · April 3, 2014, 06:55 PM

Hard to say from just a couple of pictures, but I don't think that would be unreasonable.

Corrections Cop · April 3, 2014, 07:05 PM

Thanks Mike, I would interested in selling it with that price point.

Just posted it in the gun store.

SaxonPig · April 4, 2014, 04:32 PM

List it on Gunbroiker with a penny starting price and you'll find out exactly what it's worth.

40-82 · April 4, 2014, 05:33 PM

One quick off thread comment on rare calibers in the New Service. The .476 Eley is in every list of cartridges available for the New Service that I have ever seen, but according to Timothy J. Mullin's book "Colt's New Service Revolver" only one is known to exist. That's when I stopped looking for one.

Corrections Cop · April 4, 2014, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the input guys!

gyvel · April 5, 2014, 05:52 AM

Regarding Gunbroker values, asking prices are not the same as selling prices. To find a relative value, do an advanced search on GB to see which guns actually sold, and how much they sold for.

"Asking" prices mean nothing if there are no bids on them; I could put a $500.00 gun on GB with a $5,000.00 asking price, which would not reflect the actual market value of the gun, but someone would see it and assume their identical gun was worth 5 grand, even though nobody in their right mind would pay that. In fact, many sellers do just that, and, with GB's automatic turnover feature, have guns listed with fantasy prices for months or even years with no bids. They are just wasting Gunbroker's bandwidth, but some people never learn.

SaxonPig hit it on the nose. "List it on Gunbroiker with a penny starting price and you'll find out exactly what it's worth." (I.e. what someone is willing to pay for it.)

Unfortunately, the cold blue is going to cause a substantial reduction in what you are going to get for that gun. Cold blue leaves a very unappealling grayish mottling on the surface of the metal after it starts to wear.

Corrections Cop · April 5, 2014, 03:44 PM

Thanks for advice!

Clark · April 6, 2014, 12:39 AM

I bought a Colt New Service 38-40 for $475 + $45 tax at a pawn shop ~ 12/20/2013.
It was made in 1920.
It may have been reblued at some time.
I also got a Win 1892 in 38-40.
They are both old beat up guns with near new bores.
I think 38-40 ammo must have got expensive at some time.

Now it is one of the few types of brass available. I have reloaded for it.
The heavy old rifle kicks hard.
I am told to use wimpier loading on the revolver.

Corrections Cop · April 6, 2014, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the info Clark!

April 3, 2014, 01:56 PM	#1
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Colt New Service I have a 1902 Colt New Service in .38-40, and I was wondering if anyone knew how much it would be worth. I have seen some on gunbroker from $1000 on up. But those were common calibers, I have not seen anything in .38-40 with the 7 1/2 inch barrel. I have never shot this since I got it. If anyone has any more info on this revolver it would be great. Thanks, Here are some pictures

April 3, 2014, 01:59 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	I think what you're seeing on Gunbroker and the other online sites for rounds like the .44-40 and .45 Long Colt should be pretty indicative of the value on this gun. The .38-40 wasn't the most poplar chambering, but it wasn't rare, either, so it really doesn't command much of a premium. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 3, 2014, 04:31 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	As I said, it's not a common chambering, but it's not really rare, either. It was, obviously, intended to be paired with the Winchester 1873/1892, and .38-40 was still a decent seller in thoses guns. I've seen maybe half a dozen at gunshows over the years. There are at least two for sale here: http://www.gunsinternational.com/Col...fm?cat_id=1344 There's also at least one here, in the middle of the page: http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx...lt+new+service And here's one with the same barrel length as yours, but doesn't have any finish left: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=404773611 The rarer chamberings in the New Service are probably .476 Eley, .44 Special, and .357 Magnum. Supposedly there were some made in .22 Long Rifle, as well, although those might have been later conversions. Last edited by Mike Irwin; April 3, 2014 at 06:56 PM.

April 3, 2014, 04:32 PM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Oh, the cold bluing you put on it? For a collector, that can significantly affect the price in a not too good way. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 3, 2014, 04:36 PM	#9
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	I know about the cold bluing now, thanks for the links also! Seems like maybe 1300 would be a fair price? Last edited by Corrections Cop; April 3, 2014 at 04:44 PM.

April 3, 2014, 02:03 PM	#3
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Thanks, I have not seen to many. I thought the .38 WCF was rarer than that.

April 3, 2014, 02:35 PM	#4
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Your gun looks to be in very good shape, if its original finish. Also it is one of the very early models from its appearance. If its all original it should bring top dollar. Bob Wright

April 3, 2014, 03:24 PM	#5
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	One thing I feel compelled to add. If for some reason you do choose to carry or shoot this revolver, the Colt New Services made before 1908 do not have the hammer block, and you can only safely carry five rounds. You may already know this, and you didn't ask, but just on the off chance you didn't know and needed the information I thought I'd throw it in. You have an excellent revolver in a classic cartridge.

April 3, 2014, 03:55 PM	#6
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Finish - When I first got a few years ago I put some of that cold blue on it to try and clean it up but I think it either wore off or I didn't do it right. I did not know about the 5 round information, that's good to know. Exactly what is "top dollar" for this pistol because if the price is right I might want to sell it.

April 3, 2014, 06:55 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Hard to say from just a couple of pictures, but I don't think that would be unreasonable.

April 3, 2014, 07:05 PM	#11
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Thanks Mike, I would interested in selling it with that price point. Just posted it in the gun store. Last edited by Corrections Cop; April 3, 2014 at 07:44 PM.

April 4, 2014, 04:32 PM	#12
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	List it on Gunbroiker with a penny starting price and you'll find out exactly what it's worth.

April 4, 2014, 05:33 PM	#13
40-82 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2013 Posts: 178	One quick off thread comment on rare calibers in the New Service. The .476 Eley is in every list of cartridges available for the New Service that I have ever seen, but according to Timothy J. Mullin's book "Colt's New Service Revolver" only one is known to exist. That's when I stopped looking for one.

April 4, 2014, 05:52 PM	#14
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Thanks for the input guys!

April 5, 2014, 05:52 AM	#15
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Regarding Gunbroker values, asking prices are not the same as selling prices. To find a relative value, do an advanced search on GB to see which guns actually sold, and how much they sold for. "Asking" prices mean nothing if there are no bids on them; I could put a $500.00 gun on GB with a $5,000.00 asking price, which would not reflect the actual market value of the gun, but someone would see it and assume their identical gun was worth 5 grand, even though nobody in their right mind would pay that. In fact, many sellers do just that, and, with GB's automatic turnover feature, have guns listed with fantasy prices for months or even years with no bids. They are just wasting Gunbroker's bandwidth, but some people never learn. SaxonPig hit it on the nose. "List it on Gunbroiker with a penny starting price and you'll find out exactly what it's worth." (I.e. what someone is willing to pay for it.) Unfortunately, the cold blue is going to cause a substantial reduction in what you are going to get for that gun. Cold blue leaves a very unappealling grayish mottling on the surface of the metal after it starts to wear.

April 5, 2014, 03:44 PM	#16
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Thanks for advice!

April 6, 2014, 02:31 PM	#18
Corrections Cop Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2012 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 390	Thanks for the info Clark!