This is an absolutely beautiful example of a very rare, unaltered three digit (SM698) pre-war Colt Commercial Service Model Ace 22 LR pistol with a Colt factory letter indicating this it was shipped in July 1938 to Shapleigh Hardware Company, St. Louis, Missouri, in a 5 gun shipment. It is very rare to find an pre-war Service Model Ace pistol in this absolutely like new condition. Both the conversion unit and pre-war pistol are accompanied by a very nice early small black leatherette covered storage/shooting box. The case measures approximately 10x10x5 inches. It is typical of those sold and used in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It has a small lift-out tray that holds the conversion unit in the top section and the complete pistol in the lower section. These pistols were produced in the exact configuration as the military models but without military acceptance marks. The Colt Service Model Ace has the standard "floating chamber", and the conversion unit is used to convert the Service Model Ace back to the 45 ACP cartridge. The left side of the slide is marked in two lines "COLT'S PT. F.A MFG. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." over "PATENT NUMBERS 2.090.656, 2.090.657", and the right side is marked "COLT SERVICE ACE [in a diamond]" followed by "22 LONG RIFLE/MODEL". The conversion unit that also accompanies this set is marked on the left side of the side with the standard Colt two line factory address and patent dates (that ends in 1913), and the right side is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC CALIBRE 45/CONVERSION UNIT .45-22" followed by the Rampant Colt logo. It also has the improved adjustable rear sight that matches the pistol. It has an all blued Colt barrel that is marked "COLT 45 AUTO MATCH". The top rear section of the slide is engraved "U 90". The right side of the frame only has the three digit serial number "S M 698". The slide has the adjustable Ace rear sight and the slightly higher, thicker blade front sight. It is fitted with checkered walnut grips, the checkered slide stop and thumb safety, short grip safety, arched-checkered mainspring housing and the wide Colt hammer with the checkered spur. It is complete with one original Colt magazine. Also included with this rare set is an original copy of the Colt instruction manual for the pistol and several unused period pistol targets.

Excellent plus with 99% of the original blue finish overall on both the complete pistol and the conversion unit. The only mark on the pistol is a very small scratch in the middle of the front grip strap. The grips are in like new condition with nice, sharp, distinct checkering on both sides. The grips and mechanics are both excellent. The black leatherette storage case is very fine. The pistol currently has some old grease in the barrel and chamber area, and overall, it looks to be unfired and maybe hand cycled only. Although the Colt letter does not mention that the conversion unit came with this pistol, in all probability it did come as a set.