Reintroduced and manufactured from 1978 to 1982. The factory letter states that this pistol "was a display piece and sample of a Special Edition issue kept by the Colt factory", and to be placed in the archives. The Ace Service Model was specially designed with a chamber that increases the recoil four-fold in order to approximate the recoil and weight of shooting a 45 auto. Features fixed front and adjustable rear sights, serrated spur hammer and trigger with a serrated back strap grip extension, grip and thumb safety, serrated slide, 10-shot magazine and smooth rosewood grips with Custom Shop coat-of-arms medallion inlays on both sides. The left side of the slide features the image of the Colt factory dome and is marked, "1836 Sam Colt 1981 inside a gold etched banner with floral scroll gold etching flanking both sides and the Colt Custom Shop coat-of-arms to the rear of the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is almost identically marked in gold etching with the exception of the writing inside the banner which reads, "Colt Ace 22 Long Rifle Hartford, Ct." in cursive script. Complete with factory letter, manual and original Colt woodgrain box with a Colt Custom Gun Shop end label numbered to the gun.

Excellent plus, 99% blue/gold finish overall. The grips are also in excellent plus condition. The box is fair showing moderate edge wear with one end flap having been torn off, but present, and the custom gun shop end label being taped loosely in its place. The pistol itself is perfectly conditioned and of limited special issue and number rarity with great provenance for the collector.