Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a rare 1926 Colt New Service revolver with smoothbore barrel and cylinder chambered in .45 Colt. This is listed on the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Curio or Relics List and pictured in “Colt New Service Revolvers” by Bob Murphy.
The factory letter confirms this shipped April 29, 1926 to Carlin & Fulton in Baltimore with 7 1/2 inch smoothbore barrel, smoothbore cylinder, blue finish, and rubber grips. The choked barrel and smoothbore configuration make this a “garden gun” for firing shot cartridges for pest control and small game.
Under the National Firearms Act, a smoothbore handgun is normally an “Any Other Weapon” requiring NFA registration. However, certain firearms manufactured before 1934 or meeting specific criteria have been exempted by BATFE. This revolver is on the BATFE Curio or Relics List, removing it from NFA provisions.
A May 10, 1990 BATFE letter confirms this revolver by serial number as removed from NFA provisions, making it legally transferable as a standard firearm. This exemption makes smoothbore New Service revolvers particularly desirable since they would otherwise be heavily restricted.
Colt manufactured smoothbore revolvers in limited numbers as garden guns. The .45 Colt chambering allowed shot loads for pest control or ball ammunition if needed. The 7 1/2 inch barrel provided adequate range while smoothbore design prevented damage from shot pellets that would pit rifling.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Exempt Smoothbore Colt New Service Revolver with Factory Letter.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4096/1265/exempt-smoothbore-colt-new-service-revolver-with-factory-letter. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Managing Editor | AllOutdoor
Writer | TheFirearmBlog Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
Trending Products
