Experimental Colt New Service Revolver. This revolver and an un-serial numbered New Service Revolver with six inch barrel were manufactured at the request of Colt Superintendent Fred Moore to test a new .41 caliber hunting and law enforcement cartridge advocated by firearms expert J.H. "Fitz" Fitzgerald. To support the project, Remington Arms manufactured a limited quantity of "Colt .41 Special" cartridges with various styles of 210 grain lead bullets. The new cartridges had a velocity of approximately 900 feet-per-second. The Colt factory letter that accompanies this revolver lists the caliber as ".41/c" and states it was "Charged To: Loan Account" and "Shipped To: W.E. Witsel/Ballistic Engineer/Remington Arms Company/ Bridgeport Connecticut" on November 19, 1934. This revolver and the un-numbered revolver with six-inch barrel were the only examples of Colt New Service Revolvers manufactured for the ultra-rare Colt .41 Special Cartridge. This revolver was pictured and described in the Fall 2003 issue of THE RAMPANT COLT. The revolver has the Colt high polish, commercial, blue finish. The trigger and the top of the hammer are niter blue and the sides of the hammer are bright. Grips are finely checkered walnut with silver Colt Medallions. The left side of the barrel is marked: "NEW SERVICE 41 COLT". The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address with 1884, 1905 and 1926 patent dates. The Rampant Colt trademark is located on the left side of the frame behind the cylinder catch. The Colt "VP/Triangle" verified proof is stamped on the left side of the frame above the front of the trigger guard bow and the assembler's number "3" is located over the rear of the trigger guard bow. The serial number, "340216", is stamped on the inside of the frame and on the inside of the cylinder crane.

Excellent plus. The revolver retains nearly 99% of the original Colt blue finish. The revolver has virtually no external finish wear. The only finish loss is some minor scuff marks on the rear face of the cylinder which are not visible when the cylinder is in battery. Markings are perfect. The bore is bright. The walnut grips are in nearly new condition with perfect checkering. This is a unique and fully documented experimental New Service Revolver. It cannot be improved upon for rarity, condition or provenance. This is an ultimate example of a Colt New Service Revolver.