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Colt Firearms Collector |
The CCA Rampant Colt magazine
(Photo by Paul M. Goodwin)
Page One of Three
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Display of a Colt revolver and pistol collection spanning from 1900 to the post-WW2 era. Images of various Colt Fire Arms Double Action police and military revolvers as well as target and civilian models. Documents relating to Colt fire arms as well as the Colt factory boxes and letters of authentication.
Identification details for various pre-WW2 revolvers and pistols:
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Links below for Images & Details
Guns are listed oldest to newest by factory shipping date
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Page One |
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Page One
Colt U.S. Army Model 1894, .38 (1896), 6" bblColt New Army Revolver |
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1896 catalog |
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The U.S. Army model 1894 revolver in this collection is marked on the left side of the frame (N J) for the New Jersey Militia, on the butt: "U. S. Army M1894 SN 67,7363". The caliber is.38 Long Colt with a standard 6" barrel, counter-rotating six-shot cylinder, and walnut smooth grips. There is no lanyard swivel and this model never had one. These units were delivered to the Army prior to the armistice with Spain and issued prior to the fighting in Cuba. This U.S. Army marked revolver features the inspector stamp "RAC" Renaldo Carr on left side of frame and back of cylinder. The "P" inspector and 7363 stamps can be found on the underside of the barrel. The cylinder release is stamped "7383" as well as inside the yoke. The stationary part of the yoke is stamped "7363". Left side of the smooth walnut grips is stamped "1896" with the inspector stamp; bottom of left grip is stamped "RAC". The right grip has the cartouche of Renaldo Carr. The factory letter shows this revolver was shipped to the the United States Government, % Col. A. Mordecai, Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass. on June 29,1896 as part of a shipment of 650 revolvers.
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Colt Officers' Model, .38 Early First Issue (1904), 6" bbl |
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1905 catalog |
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This magnificent early 'first issue' (1904) Colt Officer's Model .38. is based on the Colt New Army & Navy DA revolvers. The serial numbers are stamped on the butt of the frame as 237 /422. and the crane and frame are marked '1006' as is the cylinder release which are production numbers. It has a 6 inch barrel with a 6 shot cylinder which is counter rotating . In mid-1904 Colt introduced the first Colt Officers' Model (1st series). Calibers were .38 Long and Short Colt, .38 S&W, 41 Long and Short, with the addition of 32-20 in early-1905. The cylinder rotates counter-clockwise only on these early models. Grips are checkered and varnished from 1904-1911 with no Colt medallion. Note this early first issue has the straight frame section immediately behind the trigger guard as opposed to the later versions which have a curved profile in the same location. The high polished nitre and charcoal blued finish is 99%, the bore is bright with no pitting. The last patent date on this revolver is 1901. The revolver was initially shipped to the London, England Colt office in Sept. 1904. (The oil sheen on the surfaces is seen only in photos, otherwise, it is deep dark blue.) Colt advertised the Officer's Model Target revolver in the April 21, 1904 issue of "Shooting and Fishing" magazine.
Early vs Later 1st issue comparison
Carl J. Ehbets relationship to the design of this revolver
Revolver originally shipped to: |
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Colt .38 Model 1877 'Lightning' (1904) Am. Ex. Co. |
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The Colt Model 1877 'Lightning' was Colt's first venture into double action revolvers selling 166,849 from 1877 through 1909. The serial number of this revolver is 151922. Famous adopters of the Colt Lightning were William 'Billy the Kid' Bonney and John Wesley Hardin, along with 'Doc' Holliday. Doc carried the .38 caliber Colt 'Lightning'. Below, as part of this railroad collection, is a late production Colt 1877 DA revolver SN.151922, confirmed by the factory letter, was manufactured in 1904, having the "American Express Company" "AM EXP CO" 1107' marked on the grip strap. It was shipped from Colt to the company of Wm. Read and Sons, Boston, Mass. in 1904. Only 1200 of these were purchased by American Express and this is number 1107, the highest number was recorded in 1861. Last patent date on this revolver is 1875.
Extensive display of all Railway Express Colts in this collection
Railway Express accessories, badges, pocket-watches
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Colt Army Special .38, (1915), 6" bbl |
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1915 catalog |
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This 1915 Colt Army Special, in excellent condition, is a double action, six round revolver. They were built from 1908-1927. The Army Special began as the New Army & New Navy and evolved into the Official Police in 1927. While this example is a .38 Special, and has a 6" barrel, It was available in 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths. Available calibers were 22LR, .32-20, .38 Special, .38/200 and .41 long Colt. The grips are hard rubber with the fleur de lies design. This revolver was shipped to the J. B. Shannon Hardware Co., Philadelphia, in 1916 per the Colt factory letter below. Colt renamed the Army Special in 1927 to the Official Police as a marketing ploy since many police operations were using the larger frame Army Special.
This revolver shipped to: J. B. Shannon Hardware Company, Philadelphia |
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Colt Model 1917, U.S. Army issue .45 ACP (1918) |
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1922 catalog |
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This Colt New Service Revolver Model of 1917 example retains the original lanyard swivel?and the correct military marking, 'U.S. ARMY MODEL 1917 No. 21905.' Often when one of these revolvers left the service and was sold commercially, these United States markings were ground off. This example retains all military markings and is unaltered. It is chambered for the .45 Auto cartridge which requires 'clips' for proper seating in the chamber. The crane holding the cylinder and the frame have matching serial numbers. The frame also retains the correct government inspector stamps. The smooth walnut grips are in excellent condition overall, and the front sight has not been altered. Mechanically it is tight and with bright bore. This Colt 1917 Colt is an outstanding piece of World War I history that was manufactured in 1918 per the factory letter and shipped to the U.S. Government, Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. Serial Number: 210824.
A full display of the 1917 with all the WW-1 accessories 2021 Article by the NRA 'The 1917 Colt revolvers 2021 Article by the NRA 'The Colt New Service: A Look Back' Correct black box for Colt M1917 revolver needed
Revolver shipped to: U.S. Government Springfield Armory |
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Colt M1903 Automatic Pistol .32, (1919) 3 3/4 in. bbl |
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1910 catalog Colt Pocket 'Hammerless' automatic pistol. The "hammerless" designation was merely an advertising gimmick pointing out the pistol's particular suitability for concealed carry |
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This Excellent-plus condition Colt M1903, serial number 306978 in .32 ACP caliber, was made in 1919 and is a type III. It has an integrated barrel bushing and 3 3⁄4-inch barrel. Approximately 570,000 Colt Pocket Hammerless pistols were produced from 1903 to 1945, in five different types. Grip panels are black checked hard rubber. The magazine holds (8) .32 ACP rounds. In addition to lawful owners, many gangsters of the pre-World War II era favored the Model 1903 and Model 1908 because they were relatively small and easily concealed. It is said that Al Capone kept one in his coat pocket and Bonnie Parker used one to break Clyde Barrow out of jail after smuggling it into the jail by taping it to her thigh. Additional photos of the pistol and correct type III box
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Pistol shipped to Standart Brothers Ltd, Detroit, Mich. |
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Colt Police Positive .38, (1919) 6 in. bbl. |
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1921 catalog |
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This First issue (1919) of the Police Positive ran from the revolver's introduction in 1907 until 1927. This example has Colt's early standard fleur-de-lis hard rubber grips. The barrel length is 6 inches and is chambered for '38 Colt New Police' cartridges. Checkered Walnut grips became standard after 1923.
The revolver was sold to a 'W. S. Smith', Hotel McAlpin, N.Y., then shipped to Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company, Youngstown, Ohio in a shipment of 300 revolvers at a time of Union unrest and riots in Youngstown.
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Shipped to Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. after union riots |
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Colt Police Positive .32-20 WCF, (1920) 5 in. bbl. |
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1920 catalog |
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This 1920 example has personal Florida family history with a deceased high-profile Florida businessman, so I have not replaced it with a better condition example.
This First Issue of the Colt Police Positive Special is bright blue. The cylinder is 1/4" longer than the Police Positive to take advantage of more powerful ammunition. Grips were hard black rubber from 1907 to 1927 then checkered walnut with silver medallions after that. This example is pre-1923 with the fleur-de-lis hard rubber grips. Barrel length is 5". Caliber marked on the barrel is .32-20 WCF. (Winchester Center Fire)
The barrel of this revolver is marked 'Police Positive Special 32-20 WCF, with a final patent date of 1905. The serial number 219793 shows a mfg. date of 1920 which is confirmed by the factory letter.
Colt Police Positive Special Revolver article Type of Police Pos. Special box needed for 1920
Revolver shipped to: Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett and Co.
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Colt M1908, .25 Hammerless Pistol, (1921) 2" bbl |
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1921 Catalog
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The Model 1908, hammerless, semi-automatic pistol in caliber .25 was known as a 'vest-pocket' pistol, but was very popular with the ladies because of its small size and ease of firing. This pistol left the Colt factory in 1921 and was delivered to Simmons Hardware Co. in Philadelphia. The pistol was obtained for this collection in 2021 at a rural auction near Philadelphia with the original box, ammo, and magazine.
Additional photos and details with the original factory box
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Pistol shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., Philadelphia |
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Colt Police Positive, .32 Police Ctg., (1920) 4" bbl |
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1921 catalog |
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This first Issue (1920) of the Colt Police Positive is bright blue. The cylinder is 1/4" shorter than the Police Positive Special. Grips are hard black rubber from 1907 to 1927 then checkered walnut with silver medallions after that. This example is pre-1923 with fleur-de-lis hard rubber grips. Barrel length is 4". Caliber is.32 Police CTG.
The left side of the barrel of this revolver is marked 'Police Positive, .32 Police ctg., with a final patent date of 1905. The front sight is the standard half-circle. The serial number 171848 shows a mfg. date of 1921 online, but the factory letter shows the revolver was shipped in 1920 to the Powell and Clement Company, Cincinnati, Ohio on April 13, 1920.
Additional photos and correct Colt factory box
Revolver shipped to Powell & Clement Co. |
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Colt Pocket Positive .32 police, 1st. issue (1922) 3 1/2" bbl |
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1922 catalog |
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The Colt Pocket Positive was similar to the New Pocket model with the addition of Colt's "Positive Safety" feature. This Pocket Positive caliber is marked 32 Police ctg. so it is for .32 Colt Police Positive or S&W ammo. Finish is bright blue. Grips are checkered hard rubber with COLT in the oval. Barrel is 3 1/2". This First Issue has a "knife blade" front sight and was in production from 1905 to 1927 per the Colt 1928 catalog. The serial number 105913 shows a mfg. date of 1922 confirmed by the Colt factory letter and factory database online. Last patent date is 1905. Total production was 130,000.
Additional photos and correct Colt factory box
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SN 64809Colt Model 1908 Pistol .380 ACP.,(1922) 3 3/4" bbl |
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1922 Catalog |
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This .380 caliber semi-automatic Model 1908 hammerless Colt was produced in 1922. The pistol's serial number is 64809. The slide is serial numbered to the frame. The original bluing shows only slight high point wear. The bluing rates a 98% or better condition. The original two tone magazine is also in very fine condition. The original hard rubber grips are in near new condition with no cracks or any kind of damage.
The factory letter indicates the pistol was shipped to Van Camp Hardware Co., Indianapolis, Indiana on August 12 1922.
Extended image and paperwork display
The pistol was shipped to Van Camp Hardware Co. |
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Colt New Service Revolver, .45 Colt.,(1924) 5 1/2" bbl |
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1924 catalog |
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Colt's New Service revolver was made from 1898 to 1942. Until the late 1920's it had hard black rubber stocks with molded checkering with Colt logos and lanyard swivel as this example shows. Later issues had checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions. Barrel length of this revolver is 5 1/2" and the finish is a deep blue, The caliber is marked '.45 Colt'.
The serial number 321538 shows a mfg. date of 1924, which is confirmed by the factory letter. The barrel is marked 'New Service 45 Colt'. Grips are checkered hard rubber with Colt in the circle. The final patent date is 1905. Condition is extraordinary and a Colt specialist who examined it said it appears unfired. (See Mullin, page 113, for extensive info on 1919-1928 commercial models)
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Colt Police Positive Special .38 Special (1925) 4" bbl |
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1928 Catalog |
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This First Issue Colt Police Positive Special is in bright blue finish. Grips are made of hard rubber which is correct from 1907 to 1927 then checkered walnut with silver medallions after that. Barrel length is 4". Caliber is .38 New Police (.38 S&W), and the barrel is stamped 'Police Positive .38 Special'. Consistent with early barrel markings, this 'Special' is marked 'Police Positive | .38 Special and the factory letter below calls it a 'Colt Police Positive Special' in .38/c
The serial number 328900 shows a mfg. date of 1925, as confirmed by the factory letter. It has checkered, not pre-1923 fleur-de-lis, hard-rubber grips so it is the first model frame with checkered hard-rubber grips. The final patent date is 1905. Trigger is not checkered.
Correct box and images for Police Positive Special with 4 in. bbl.
Revolver shipped to: Shapleigh Hardware Co. |
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SN 66996Colt 'Woodsman' Target Auto Pistol .22 (1927) 6 1/2" bbl |
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1927 Catalog |
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This is the first version of the Woodsman, with the medium weight barrel, early trigger, and early rear sight. Identical to the final version of the pre-Woodsman, except for 'THE WOODSMAN' roll mark on the side of the receiver. The last patent date on this pistol is: Sept. 3, 1918, on a 6 1/2 in. bbl., Patridge front sight and adjustable rear sight. Smooth trigger. Grips are checkered Walnut. This first series pistol is post 1927 and marked: 'The Woodsman' is on the left side of the frame forward of the slide making it Pre-WW2. The Rampant Colt image is forward of the retraction serrations on the slide. Colt's serial number lookup for SN 69699 shows this pistol was made in 1927, but the factory letter shows it was delivered to H & D Folsom Arms Co. in Aug. of 1929. It is in near mint condition and appears unfired. Extensive display and additional photos with the correct factory box
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