Colt's New Service is the company's big-frame double-action revolver, and this one, serial 343998, was made in 1937 in .38 Special with a 6-inch barrel. The finish is blue and the grips are the early Colt brown hard rubber type. The bore is rated excellent and the action locks up tight. There is rust pitting on top of the frame and on the grip frame; away from those spots the finish is very good, and the seller calls the gun very good overall.

A pre-war New Service in .38 Special is a big, soft-shooting revolver that suits a Texas collector who still wants to take a gun to the range. The large frame and 6-inch tube tame the cartridge, so newer shooters can learn double-action trigger control on it without flinching, and the excellent bore means it will still group. Texas asks for no permit to buy and no registration; you show photo identification, fill in Form 4473 and the dealer runs the NICS check.

Key features

• .38 Special, 6-inch barrel, made 1937
• Serial 343998, blue finish
• Early Colt brown hard rubber grips
• Excellent bore, action locks up tight
• Pitting on frame top and grip frame

Pickup is at the Texas FFL dealer you select, where the dealer completes the federal check; you must be 21 or older for a handgun.