My Dad has a Colt revolver that he wants to sell , it is a Colt DA 45 long, blued with a 5 1/2 inch barrel. Ser. number 34207 I think he said it had 1917 on it somewhere. And under the grip it says U.S. property RAG, any info and what the value may be would be greatly appreciated

Paladin; I can't help but will find the info most interesting. derf

Doing this from memory, but the barrel length and date would seem to indicate that this is a New Service 1917, which would have been originally chambered in 45 ACP/AR. A lot of them had the cylinders reamed for 45 LC though, back in the day. RAG are inspectors initials, if I recall correctly. If I was at home I could tell you what year it was actually made from the serial number, but I'm in Livingston right now. If it was an original 1917, it will have lost a little value due to the reaming. Without seeing it, but assuming "good" condition, about $300.00. But it's really just a guess without harder information. - Dan

Thanks Dan, I am in Montana and the pistol is in okla. so I called my brother and he said it does not have1917 marked on it , so I was mistaken. It is in very good shape, I would guess about 95 percent. It is lacking the original grips and the lanyard ring. Does this help?

Does it have an oversize trigger guard? - Dan

From my best memory I would have to say no.

OK, round butt or square butt? - Dan

Also, is the cylinder release square or round? - Dan

It is a square butt, checking on the cylinder release.

Is the cylinder release itself round (like newer Colt double actions) or is it a square hook type? This will give us an idea about the date of manufacture. - Dan

It is the square hook type. My brother is suppose to be sending me some photos of the pistol. Maybe that would help you?

That would help enormously! Email them to me at danbelisled@netscape.net and I will probably be able to identify it for you. Thanks - Dan

Sounds like it could be either a 1909 New Service or a 1917. They go for quite a bit more out here, if you can find one as a private party transfer.

I decided to post here, as well as send a PM, in case anyone else has one of these. What Paladin has is a 1909 New Service Colt, Model of the US Army & Navy. There is also a 1909 New Service USMC model, but there are quite a few less of that type. By the numbers he sent me, it was manufactured in 1911-1912. In the condition I see in the photos, and I assume it's missing the lanyard ring and grips, it would probably be worth $300-400 dollars. In some areas they will go for more, but a great deal depends on condition, and around here, that's about all you would get. I would however, now that you know what it is, check the various blue books, keeping in mind that condition on this piece (at least from the photos it looks like it) is probably only 60%. Hope this helps. - Dan

Would those initials be "RAC"? Stands for Renaldo A. Carr If I remeber correctly. He was an nspector at the time. I had a few New Service Colts for about 30 yrs. I thought I could buy cheap and sell dear. The 45ACP chambered revolvers with a 45 Colt marked bbl are rare I think. (in the event anybody has one) Its a neat old revolver.

$300 to $400 is correct for a 95% gun missing the grips and lanyard probably puts it in the $325. spot...Depending on the buyer and how bad he wants it.....