Video—I Have This Old Gun: Colt's New Service Revolver

by
posted on July 20, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Manufactured from the late 19th century up through World War II, the Colt New Service was a large-frame double-action revolver chambered in 11 different cartridges. The Colt New Service Revolver was intended to replace the Colt 38, as shooters, lawmen, and, especially the Army, wanted something heavier. Colt added a bar of steel between the hammer and the frame in the new revolver—known as the “Colt Positive Lock”—in order to prevent unwanted discharges. In 1909, the Army and Navy adopted the revolver in its original form, and after a small change in the grip profile, the Marine Corps adopted it as well. In total, 356,000 New Service revolvers were made between 1898 and 1943, with the majority having gone to the U.S. military. For more on Colt's New Service Revolver, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.









Additional Reading:
A Look Back: The Colt New Service Revolver

Latest

Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main
Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main

Guns Of The U.S. Tankers In World War II

Since the end of World War II, debates have raged about the effectiveness of American armored fighting vehicles in that conflict. Despite all the Monday morning armored quarterbacking, American AFVs were war-winners, driven to victory by some the finest fighting men our nation has ever produced.

MidwayUSA Foundation Awards Over $14 Million In Cash Grants In 2025

In honor of National Shooting Sports Month—held annually in August—along with the growing popularity of the sport with new participants, MidwayUSA Foundation announced it has distributed more than $14.2 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports in 2025.

Making The KelTec PR57 In Wyoming

To make its PR57 handgun, KelTec invested in an entirely new manufacturing facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo. "American Rifleman Television" headed out for an inside look at the company's efficient production process.

Taurus 66 Combat: A New "Fighting Revolver"

First introduced in the 1970s, the Taurus 66 Combat is a medium-frame revolver that has seen several evolutions in its lifetime, and the latest update creates what the company considers "the final word in fighting revolvers."

Review: Taurus GX2

From cars to cellphones, as a product gets more sophisticated, it usually also gets more expensive. And, as modern handguns get more modular and optic-ready, their prices tend to go up.

Rifleman Q&A: A Garand Puzzlement

"We are a father-and-son NRA member tandem in search of an answer regarding the branding of an M1 Garand rifle. We own an M1 rifle that has markings indicating it was a “lend lease to England,” and it also has a .308 barrel/sleeve."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.