Colt New Service .45

Published on December 19, 2025
Duration: 2:15

This video details the restoration and firing of a Colt New Service revolver, originally a WWII British Lend-Lease .455 that was expertly converted to .45 Colt by Bill Laughridge of Cylinder & Slide. The restoration involved re-reaming chambers and assembling from parts. The demonstration showcases the revolver's accuracy at 15 yards with Black Hills cowboy loads, highlighting the value of 'old world craftsmanship'.

Quick Summary

The Colt New Service is a historic double-action revolver. This restored example, originally a British Lend-Lease .455, was expertly converted to .45 Colt by Bill Laughridge, requiring re-reamed chambers. It demonstrated good accuracy at 15 yards with Black Hills cowboy loads.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Colt New Service .455/.45 Colt
  2. 00:26Restoration by Bill Laughridge (Cylinder & Slide)
  3. 01:14Range Demonstration: Accuracy Test
  4. 01:43Legacy of Colt Revolvers & Craftsmanship

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Colt New Service revolver?

The Colt New Service is a double-action revolver produced by Colt from 1897 to 1941. It was chambered in various calibers, including .455 Webley for British service and later adapted to .45 Colt, as seen in this restored example.

How was the Colt New Service revolver restored?

This specific Colt New Service was restored by Bill Laughridge of Cylinder & Slide, who assembled it from parts and expertly re-reamed the chambers to ensure proper function with .45 Colt ammunition.

What caliber was the Colt New Service originally chambered in for British Lend-Lease?

The Colt New Service revolvers provided under the British Lend-Lease program during WWII were typically chambered in .455 Webley, a large-bore cartridge designed for British service revolvers.

What kind of ammunition was used for the range demonstration?

For the range demonstration, the restored Colt New Service .45 was fired using Black Hills .45 Colt cowboy loads, showcasing the firearm's accuracy at 15 yards.

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