ancientnoob
Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 282
For sometime I have been looking for a Colt New Service. I wanted a nice shooter, and something I did not have to worry about as far as collector value was concerned. Locally I came across a very nice US Army M1909 in .45 revolver. (US Army large rim .45 Colt. ) Originally this revolver fired a LRNFP weighing 250 grains and traveling at 725 fps. The revolver was briefly adopted by the US armed forces, in 1909. It was meant to replace the .45 Colt Single Action Army and ultimately .38 Long Colt New Army and Navy revolvers, that had failed to stop the Moro warriors in the Philippines. The revolver was selected as a result of the Thompson-Lagarde Tests. The goal was to determine what the ideal handgun caliber would be in a service pistol. The revolver was originally offered in a high polished bright blue commercial finish and had US Government marking applied to it.
Many of the Colt M1909's finishes did not survive the their trip to Philippines. The mixture of a hot salty tropical jungle, when mixed with leather and delicate finish let many in very poor shape and great examples are highly prized by collectors. I would assume this revolver survived the conflict but the finish did not. The previous owner said that the revolver was hard chromed by the Armoloy company in the late 70's.
I am someone what of a purist, I like my guns to have their original finishes, roll marks and grips intact. Alas, I could not walk away from the old war horse. I would like to give her a second life (third or fourth life at this point.) This Armoloy finish was done really well and looks excellent. It has held up quite well since the late 1970's.
The mechanics, lock up and trigger pull are all flawless. The revolver has a heavy double action trigger that is incredibly smooth, sort of like cutting through butter. In single action the hammer is very ergonomic and easy to manipulate. The single action trigger pull is excellent and deliberate.
I would like to know which .45 Colt factory ammunition has the largest rim? From what I have gathered the enlarged rim was for problem that may or may not have existed with extraction.
Colt Model 1909, US Army
Manufactured: 1911.
Cartridge: .45 Revolver 255 gr LRNFP @ 725 FPS / .45 Colt standard pressure.
Inspection: RAC
Acceptance: FB
Theater: Moro Rebellion, Philippines
Barrel: 5 1/2”
Capacity: 6
Weight: 40 oz
Action: Double Action
Finish: Chrome
Grips: Original Smooth Walnut RAC.
Here is how she looks today...
Many of the Colt M1909's finishes did not survive the their trip to Philippines. The mixture of a hot salty tropical jungle, when mixed with leather and delicate finish let many in very poor shape and great examples are highly prized by collectors. I would assume this revolver survived the conflict but the finish did not. The previous owner said that the revolver was hard chromed by the Armoloy company in the late 70's.
I am someone what of a purist, I like my guns to have their original finishes, roll marks and grips intact. Alas, I could not walk away from the old war horse. I would like to give her a second life (third or fourth life at this point.) This Armoloy finish was done really well and looks excellent. It has held up quite well since the late 1970's.
The mechanics, lock up and trigger pull are all flawless. The revolver has a heavy double action trigger that is incredibly smooth, sort of like cutting through butter. In single action the hammer is very ergonomic and easy to manipulate. The single action trigger pull is excellent and deliberate.
I would like to know which .45 Colt factory ammunition has the largest rim? From what I have gathered the enlarged rim was for problem that may or may not have existed with extraction.
Colt Model 1909, US Army
Manufactured: 1911.
Cartridge: .45 Revolver 255 gr LRNFP @ 725 FPS / .45 Colt standard pressure.
Inspection: RAC
Acceptance: FB
Theater: Moro Rebellion, Philippines
Barrel: 5 1/2”
Capacity: 6
Weight: 40 oz
Action: Double Action
Finish: Chrome
Grips: Original Smooth Walnut RAC.
Here is how she looks today...