This is an excellent example of a rarely encountered Colt Transition Model New Service DA Revolver in the very scarce 455 Eley caliber as produced in 1909. These pistols were the top of the line for Colt at this time and were almost all chambered for large calibers. The top of the barrel has Colt's two line address and patent markings, of "COLT'S PT. FA. MFG. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. PAT'D AUG.5.1884. JUNE.5.1900. JULY.4.1905.". The left side of the barrel is marked: "NEW SERVICE 455 ELEY". The left side plate behind the cylinder catch is stamped with the large stylized letter "C" with the Rampant Colt logo inside. The barrel is fitted with the clipped blade front sight with the notch in the top strap for the fixed rear sight. The hammer spur is factory checkered and it has the pinned in firing pin. The pistol is fitted with a set of the hard rubber Colt grips that have the impressed checkering on both sides with the large "COLT" at the top of each panel. The revolver has Colt's highly polished commercial blue finish with the trigger and hammer showing a deep heat blued finish with the sides of the hammer being correctly factory polished. There is a lanyard loop on the bottom of the butt. The serial number "23991" is stamped on the inside of the frame and the cylinder crane and the back side of each grip panel is correctly factory scratched on the back with serial number "22991", which was probably just a factory error as it is only off by one number.

Excellent overall with approximately 97% of the bright original high polish blue finish with the only minor thinning or browning on the grip straps, with some slight freckling on one spot on the side of the cylinder. The really only noticeable area of blue wear is a distinctive spot on the left side of the barrel that looks like the blue finish either flaked off or something spilled on it and a chemical removed the blue finish. It would appear that a professional gun restorer could correct this minor area fairly easily. The grips are in excellent condition with nice sharp checkering. They are slightly sun faded. The face of the cylinder retains all the blue finish and it appears that any wear is strictly based on dry firing and handling. A very nice Colt New Service revolver.