The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 smoothbore barrel in .44-40 caliber, blue finish and hard rubber stocks when shipped to Keim Supply Co., Philadelphia, PA on April 26, 1926. This is one of five smoothbore .44-40 Colt New Service revolvers exempted and listed by serial number by the BATFE in the Curio or Relics List out of around 356,000 total New Service revolvers. Thus, they are true rarities and particularly desirable as examples of arms that would otherwise be restricted by the National Firearms Act. It was manufactured in 1927 and, aside from the special factory smoothbore barrel, it has the standard markings and features, including matching serial numbers on the frame, crane, and grips. Smoothbore revolvers and lever action rifles/carbines were often employed by trick shooters and Wild West shows. The latter had mostly ended by the 1920s, but exhibition shooters remained popular, including marksmen and sharpshooting ladies sponsored by firearms companies like Colt and Winchester.