The included factory letter with this revolver lists the finish as blue, a special notation of "Frame Only", sale to the United States Government, and shipment to Springfield Armory on 29 March 1941 in order number 9587 which included 731 revolvers or, in this case, frames. The book "U.S. Handguns of World War II: The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers" by Charles Pate mentions this particular revolver on p. 101, where the author states that the Colt factory ledgers indicated that the 731 revolvers were sent to the armory complete and with 3 1/2 inch barrels like this example. Timothy J. Mullin, author of "Colt's New Service Revolver: 'A Particularly Strong, Heavy Weapon'" indicates on p. 189 that Colt sent 1,000 unassembled New Service Model frames to Springfield Armory, which were potentially intended to be used to rebuild Model 1917 revolvers already held in stock. With the U.S. entry into World War II on the not so distant horizon, this is certainly a possibility. Further evidence of the intended purpose of these frames may lie in a March 2021 article for American Rifleman by Bruce Canfield titled "Valuable Service: The U.S. Model Of 1917 Revolvers". In the article, Canfield mentions that Springfield Armory records indicate that 10,263 Smith & Wesson and 4,017 Colt Model 1917 revolvers were reconditioned in 1941 and that additional parts for both variants were purchased for future overhauls should the need arise. It is possible that these 731 New Service frames, or 1,000 depending on source, sat in armory stocks but were never utilized following the attack on Pearl Harbor and full mobilization of American wartime infrastructure. It also remains unclear how many, where, or when these frames were built into complete revolvers, though this correct factory made example has standard Colt commercial New Service Model markings and features apart from the very scarce 3 1/2 inch barrel. The previously mentioned Canfield article later mentions that many of the Model 1917 revolvers already in government stocks were quickly issued to military police and security at sensitive sites after the Japanese attack, with nearly 21,000 of the 1917s issued in combat theaters due to initial shortcomings in Model 1911 semi-automatic production. It is possible that this revolver was completed for such a purpose or simply finished after the war before making its way to the commercial market. The top of the barrel has the two-line Colt address and patent dates with the model and caliber marking on the left. The left of the frame is stamped with the Rampant Colt and the serial number in on the frame and the crane. The front face of the cylinder is marked with a five-pointed star. It has blade and frame groove sights, a lanyard loop on the butt, and checkered and Colt marked hard rubber grips.

Excellent overall with 97% plus of the original blue finish with some very light edge wear and a light cylinder drag line. The grips have only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very interesting, World War II era, Springfield Armory shipped Colt New Service Model Revolver!