Description from HiBid
6" .38 Special Revolver, 1905 C&R. Make: Colt
Model: 1905 USMC Civilian Production
Serial Number: 10035
Year of Manufacture: 1905
Caliber: .38 Colt / .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 6"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is "U"-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have fairly even handling wear, slightly more notable on the right panel, with a patch of wear through the checkering at the bottom of each panel. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most of the checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish may be Original, surfaces show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is a little bit of what appears to be original metal finish in well protected areas and around raised features. Most surfaces have a mottled appearance, showing treatment with cold blue that is muted. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There are scattered spots of light surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder has light-moderate play when the trigger is depressed. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Color photo copies of an article in the Summer 2020 edition of "The Rampant Colt" are included, detailing the 1905 USMC and Commercial Production models by author Robert Best.
Our Assessment: Introduced in 1892, the Colt New Navy and New Army revolvers were an improvement on the 1889 Navy. The models saw continuing improvement with different design changes receiving different model numbers: 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 and 1903. There was one more design change in 1905 at the behest of the United States Marine Corps. In order to more closely match their old Smith & Wesson 1899 Model revolvers, Colt gave the frame a more rounded backstrap. Still a fairly small force in 1905, the Marines only ordered 812 of the model over seven contracts from 1905-1909. In addition to the Marine-ordered revolvers, the same model was produced for commercial sales with 929 produced over the same years. Model 1905 USMC Commercial Production revolvers began at serial 10001 and were available with or without a lanyard ring, those ordered without had the hole plugged. They also featured checkered walnut grips rather than the hard rubber used for the New Navy and New Army Models.
This revolver is the 35th Model 1905 USMC Commercial Production, serial 10035. It shows wear consistent with its age and has had surfaces treated with cold blue, but is still a nice example of a particularly scarce Colt. The revolver comes from the personal collection of Robert Best, author of "A Study of Colt's New Army and Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers" as well as an article in the Summer 2020 edition of "The Rampant Colt" which features pictures of this revolver. This will make a wonderful addition to an early swing-out revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
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