Lettered Colt New Service Model of 1909 .45 Colt – U.S. Government / Manila Ordnance Depot Shipment

Colt New Service Model of 1909 .45 Colt – U.S. Government / Manila Ordnance Depot Shipment

Period-Correct N.O.S. Barrel | Blue Finish | Smooth Wood Stocks | Factory-Lettered to Manila, Philippine Islands | Colt Archive Letter | Serial No. 47326

OVERVIEW

Offered here is a historically significant Colt New Service Revolver Model of 1909, serial number 47326, chambered in .45 Colt and accompanied by a Colt Archive Properties factory letter documenting its original U.S. Government configuration and shipment to the Philippines.

According to Colt's original shipping records, this revolver was sold to the United States Government and shipped to the Commanding Officer, Ordnance Depot, Manila, Philippine Islands, on July 12, 1911. The factory letter records an original 5½-inch barrel, blue finish, wood stocks, and factory-furnished lanyard swivel. Even more notably, this revolver was one of 703 guns of the same type included in that shipment.

The Model of 1909 occupies an important place in U.S. military handgun history. Developed on Colt's large-frame New Service platform, the .45-caliber revolver was adopted after military experience highlighted shortcomings of the smaller .38-caliber service revolvers then in use, particularly during the Philippine campaigns. It served as an interim large-caliber military sidearm shortly before adoption of the Model 1911 pistol.

This example no longer wears its factory-lettered 5½-inch barrel. It is currently fitted with a 7½-inch barrel represented as a period-correct replacement and presenting in great condition. The barrel is clearly marked NEW SERVICE .45 COLT. The revolver retains smooth wood stocks and a lanyard loop, giving it the traditional appearance associated with these early military New Service revolvers.

The combination of its documented U.S. Government purchase, Manila Ordnance Depot destination, large 703-gun shipment, and Colt Archive letter makes this an especially interesting historical New Service.

SPECIFICATIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

• Manufacturer: Colt
• Model: New Service Revolver – Model of 1909
• Serial Number: 47326
• Caliber:.45 Colt
• Action: Double-Action / Single-Action
• Capacity: 6 Rounds
• Current Barrel Length: 7½"
• Factory-Lettered Barrel Length: 5½"
• Current Barrel: Period-Correct N.O.S. Replacement
• Barrel Marking: NEW SERVICE .45 COLT
• Factory Finish: Blue
• Stocks: Smooth Wood
• Lanyard: Lanyard Loop / Swivel Configuration
• Factory-Lettered Special Feature: Furnished with Lanyard Swivel
• Sold To: United States Government
• Shipped To: Commanding Officer, Ordnance Depot
• Destination: Manila, Philippine Islands
• Factory-Documented Shipment Date: July 12, 1911
• Number of Same-Type Guns in Shipment: 703
• Documentation: Colt Archive Properties Factory Letter Included

The Colt Archive letter is especially important to this revolver, directly documenting its U.S. Government provenance and shipment to the Ordnance Depot in Manila. While the currently installed 7½" barrel differs from the original 5½" barrel recorded by Colt, the replacement is represented as a period-correct N.O.S. New Service barrel.

CONDITION

This revolver remains in great overall condition for its age, with honest wear consistent with its age and previous use.

The blue finish retains a strong overall appearance with expected wear and finish loss in high-contact areas. The smooth wood stocks display age-appropriate handling marks and fit the revolver well.

The 7½-inch N.O.S. replacement barrel presents exceptionally well, with strong finish and clear markings.

The accompanying Colt Archive Properties letter documents the original factory configuration and provides excellent historical provenance connecting this revolver directly to a U.S. Government shipment to Manila, Philippine Islands.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description.

COMPLIANCE & SHIPPING

FREE SHIPPING – U.S. shipping only where lawful. FFL required.

An FFL is required for shipping upon purchase of this item. During checkout, please enter the billing and shipping address associated with your form of payment. Your preferred receiving FFL may be noted in the order comments section; the business name, city, and state are sufficient.

It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure the firearm is legal to own in their state or locality. Firearms will only be shipped to a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Please have your receiving dealer email a copy of their FFL, along with your name and the firearm purchased, to info@tylergunworks.com . Shipment will be made only after the FFL has been received and verified.