Source: ATF P 5300.11 · Curios or Relics List · Jan 1972 – Apr 20253,573 entries · 4 sections
The C&R RegisterA finding aid to the ATF Curios or Relics List, for Type 03 collectors
C&R · II · 216

Colt Service Model Ace

Section II: curio or relic, still subject to the Gun Control Act

Official wording

ATF P 5300.11 · APRIL 2025 EDITION · SECTION II · VERBATIM · PDF P. 8 ↗

Colt, Service Model Ace, cal. .22, mfd. by Colt 1935-1945, S/N range SM1-SM13803, including those marked UNITED STATES PROPERTY on the right side of the frame.

ATF lists cal. .22; this is the .22 Long Rifle cartridge.

What this entry requires

  • ATF REQUIRESMade or imported as stated: “mfd. by Colt 1935-1945”
  • ATF REQUIRESYour serial number is one ATF listsATF: “S/N range SM1-SM13803”
  • ATF REQUIRESMade 1935–1945 (ATF’s dates)ATF: “1935-1945”

Editorial facts · Our research

Country
United States¹
Manufacturer
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.
Type
Pistol²
Action
Semi-auto³
Caliber
.22 LR
Made
1935–1945
Service
Military
Search listings ↗Check a specific gunReport an error ↗

Source

Official wording
ATF P 5300.11, April 2025 edition · Section II · PDF p. 8 ↗ · ATF original ↗
Entries
1 line
Verbatim check
Checked against the PDF text before every release
Editorial facts
Confidence: High · Last revised 18 October 2026 (Evidence pass) · How we rate confidence
References
  1. Wikipedia, “Colt's Manufacturing Company” ↗, country: Colt's Manufacturing Company: American firearms manufacturer, headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut
  2. Wikipedia, “Colt Ace” ↗, type: article covers the Colt Ace 'or Colt Service Model Ace': infobox type semi-automatic pistol
  3. Wikipedia, “Colt Ace” ↗, action: Colt Service Model Ace: Model 1911-derived semi-automatic in .22 LR
Fact tags
  • ATF the ATF wording states it.
  • REF ¹ an outside reference supports it; the number points to the list of references.
  • ESTIMATE an approximate or indirect reading, for example the production range of the base model.
  • NO CITATION we haven’t attached a reference for this fact; it’s our editorial reading, not ATF’s.
Source checked
20 October 2026: ATF’s page still lists the April 2025 edition
Corrections
None

Historical context

Patent drawing, U.S. Patent 2,090,657 (shown for Colt Service Model Ace)
Shown: the patent drawing for David M. Williams's floating-chamber pistol (U.S. Patent 2,090,657), a part-sectioned view; not a production example.

Image: U.S. Patent 2,090,657, “Automatic firearm, sheet 1” by David M. Williams, Public domain (US patent). Retrieved October 2026.

Summary: Wikipedia, “Colt Ace”. Text CC BY-SA 4.0.

FROM WIKIPEDIA

The Colt Ace or Colt Service Model Ace is a Colt Model 1911-derived semi-automatic firearm chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge instead of .45 ACP. It was created in 1931 and produced through 1947 to allow inexpensive and low-recoil sub-caliber training while maintaining the feel of the military Model 1911 pistol.