[msb_gun_nut]

Newbie question so it's pretty simple. Is it possible to have a Colt Service Model 22 with a "70B" prefix on the serial number? The gun doesn't mention "conversion" anywhere on the slide. Called Colt and they say it was made in 1983 and shows to be a Government model. Appreciate any help. Regards

 

[SamColtFan]

I show a Commercial Government model in 45 ACP.

 

[msb_gun_nut]

Thanks.

 

[SamColtFan]

You're welcome.

 

[kenhwind]

The answer to your question is yes, but If Colt thinks its a Government Model then you may have a receiver with a slide swap. Without the original box I do not think this can be verified.

 

[saintclair]

I once owned a 22 Ace with the 70B prefix and in my checking I found that Colt did make some in that SN range. As kenhwind stated someone could have made a swap of slide and receiver that created that gun. Without the original box, I suspect you will need to get a letter from Colt Historical to prove it is correct.

 

[824tsv]

There has been at least one fairly recent thread on this topic. The short answer is YES. I tried a search but I couldn't find it with the search words I used.

 

[JohnnyP]

While it seems like bad business to me, during the production rum of the new Service Model Ace Colt made some SMA's on Government Model receivers, and some GM's on SMA receivers. Over the years I have seen a dozen or so and owned a couple. I lettered a GM with a SMA serial number, and it came back as .45 ACP GM

I have a feeling the pistol in the OP would letter as a Service Model Ace. The telephone information from Colt came from a master list of serial numbers and not their records.

 

[msb_gun_nut]

Interesting that a couple of you think that a "70B" could be an Ace. The box is handwritten so it doesn't help me much. The slide says "Colt Service Model (ACE in the Diamond) .22 long rifle" on the left. Then just "Ace" on the right side. What period in time would the slide have been made.
Are there any other tell tails that I could look at on the gun to help determine what it is? Thanks for all your replies!!!

 

[rhmc24]

Mine has s/n 70B503xx. See it and box.

 

[JohnnyP]

Interesting that a couple of you think that a "70B" could be an Ace. The box is handwritten so it doesn't help me much. The slide says "Colt Service Model (ACE in the Diamond) .22 long rifle" on the left. Then just "Ace" on the right side. What period in time would the slide have been made.
Are there any other tell tails that I could look at on the gun to help determine what it is? Thanks for all your replies!!!

I don't know about yours, but I know for a fact that a "70B" could be an ACE. Faced with the lack of authentication from this forum, your best bet is to get the Colt letter.

 

[msb_gun_nut]

That's a great reply. Your gun and the box pretty much match the situation I'm talking about. The gun I'm talking about is s/n 70B504XX so it's close to your in production. What originally convinced you that the gun was not a conversion?
Thanks

 

[rhmc24]

Never gave it a thought. S/N & .22LR on box make it obvious it came out of Colt like that. Strange to me why any interest in the subject. Mine has been seen by several Colt specialists with no concern.

 

[kenhwind]

Well I met a fellow shooter at the range several years ago and he had a Government model with a SM serial number. I questioned him and he told me he bough it new like that.

From your description I'd say you have a late 1970s-80s SM ACE.

Pictures!