Colt 1930s - 1964 Police Officers & Target Revolvers

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SN 17027

Colt Officers Model Target .22 LR (1937) 6 in. bbl.

1937 catalog

The Officers' Model Target .22, first issue shown here was introduced in 1930 and made until 1949.  Caliber of this revolver is .22 LR.  Grips are checkered walnut with silver medallions as shown on this example.  The serial number 17027 indicates it was made in 1937. The final patent date on the barrel is 1926.  It is NOT the later heavy barrel version.  (Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

Correct Colt factory box and additional photos

SN 686227

Colt Official Police Model .38 (1942) 5 in. bbl.

(3 of 3)

1937 catalog

Colt renamed the Army Special in 1927 to the Official Police.  It was the choice Police departments in New York City and Boston as well as Federal agencies like the FBI and Treasury Department.   Finish is blue.  Barrel length is 5".  Caliber is .38 S&W Special.   The orrect box with this revolver is marked for the 5 in. barrel, checkered wood grips, and blued.  Condition is about 99%.

The square butt, like this example, was standard with optional rounded butts later.  Grips are checkered walnut with silver Colt medallions, which were used until 1947.  The Pre-War Model shown above was made from 1927 to 1946 and had the rounded "half moon" front sight, checkered hammer and cylinder release.  The serial number 686227 shows a mfg. date of 1937.  The final patent date is 1926. The factory letter shows this revolver was sold and ship to Springfield, Mass. in Jan. 1942, which means it was shipped during WW2., the buyer was Carlisle Hardware Co.,

SN 612600

Colt Official Police Model .38 (1937) 6 in. bbl.

(2 of 3)

Colt renamed the Army Special in 1927 to the Official Police.  It was the choice Police departments in New York City and Boston as well as Federal agencies like the FBI and Treasury Department.   Finish is blue.  Barrel length is 6".  Caliber is .38 S&W Special. 

The square butt, like this example, was standard with optional rounded butts later.  Grips are checkered walnut with silver Colt medallions, which were used until 1947.  The Pre-War Model shown above was made from 1927 to 1946 and had the rounded "half moon" front sight, checkered hammer and cylinder release.  The serial number 612600 shows a mfg. date of 1937.  The final patent date is 1926. 

The factory letter shows this Official Police revolver was shipped to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, Ill. on May 11, 1937 as part of a group of five guns.

Revolver with correct Colt factory box

SN 620540

Colt Officers Model Target .38 (1937) heavy 6 in. bbl.

 (2 of 4)

1937 catalog

In 1904 Colt introduced the first Colt Officers' Model.  The Officers' Model was Colt's premium revolver.  The Officers' Model Target, first issue shown here was introduced in 1927 and made until 1949.  Caliber of this revolver is .38 Special.  In 1935 a heavy barrel, as shown on this example above, was an option.  A special feature on this revolver, is a 3 lb. trigger pull.  Grips are checkered walnut with silver medallions as shown on this example.  The serial number 620540 indicates it was made in 1937, which is confirmed by the factory letter. The final patent date is 1926.  (Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

SN 43969

Colt Police Positive Target .22 (1938) 6 in. bbl.

(3 of 4)

This Police Positive Target, Second Issue, was made from 1926 to 1941.  The four .22 target models shown here are all Second Issues with Partridge front sights, adjustable rear sights for windage, and checkered wood grips with Colt medallions.  All are .22 LR caliber.

The serial number 43969 shows a mfg. date of 1938, which is not confirmed by the factory letter which shows it was shipped in 1940 to H & D Folsom Arms Co., N.Y..  The final patent date is 1926. (Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

Maroon box for police positive target needed

The matched set of (4) Police Positive Target .22 revolvers

 Revolver shipped to: H & D Folsom Arms Co 1940

SN 622929

Colt Officers' Model Target .38 (1938) heavy 6 in. bbl.

 (3 of 4)

In 1904 Colt introduced the first Colt Officers' Model.  The Officers' Model was Colt's premium revolver.  This Officers' Model Target, first issue was introduced in 1927 and made until 1949.  Caliber is .38 Special. 

In 1935 a heavy barrel, as shown on this example above, was an option.  Grips were checkered walnut with silver medallions as shown on this example.  The barrel is marked 'Officers Model 38 / Heavy Barrel. The serial number 622929 indicates it was mfg. in 1938.   The factory letter shows the revolver was sold to H. P. Farrington, Danbury, Conn. and was shipped to H & D Folsom Arms Co. on Jan. 21, 1938 as a part of 2 guns in the shipment.

(Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

Additional images and the correct box

 Revolver shipped to: H & D Folsom Arms Co 1938

SN 643756

Colt Officers Model Target .38 (1939) heavy 6 in. bbl.

(4 of 4)

1939 Illustrated catalog

In 1904 Colt introduced the first Colt Officers' Model.  The Officers' Model was Colt's premium revolver.  This Officers' Model Target, is a first issue, was introduced in 1927, and made until 1949.  Caliber is .38 Special.  In 1935 a heavy barrel, as shown on this example above, was an option.   This example has a special feature of a 2 1/2 lb. trigger pull.  Grips are checkered walnut with silver medallions as shown on this example.  The serial number 643756 indicates it was mfg. in 1939 and shipped to the Depot Quartermaster, United States Marine Corps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1931.  10 guns were in the shipment.  This revolver with the original box turned up in a gun dealer store in Montana, 2021, and was added to this collection. 

(Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

Additional images and the correct box

Revolver shipped to: Quartermaster's Depot, U.S. Marine Corps

SN 45218

Colt Police Positive Target .22 (1941) 6 in. bbl.

(4 of 4)

This Police Positive Target, Second Issue, with a heavy frame, and Partridge target sight was made from 1926 to 1941. The four .22 LR  target models shown here are all Second Issues. 

The serial number of this unit, 45218, shows a mfg. date of 1941, which is confirmed by the factory look-up.  The final patent date is 1926.  This revolver did not ship until 1942 according to the factory letter. The total number produced was 25,741. (Note: target models tend to be found in better if not pampered condition because the owners took great care with them due to competitive shooting and not for daily carry.)

Maroon box needed for police positive target

A matched set of (4) Police Positive Target .22 revolvers

SN 32093

Colt 'Commando' .38, 4" bbl. (1942)

1942 factory box brochure

The Colt Commando was a wartime variant of the Official Police, manufactured with either a two or four inch barrel, and incorporating several production economies including a non-gloss 'Parkerized' finish. The Commando also lacked the usual metal checkering on the trigger and cylinder latch, as well as the reflection-deadening treatment of the commercial version’s top strap. In addition, plastic 'Coltwood' material replaced the wood grips of the civilian model. Approximately 48,611 Commando revolvers were purchased by the government during World War II most were used for rear guard purposes.

This Colt 'Commando' .38 caliber has a parkerized finish, with Coltwood plastic grips.  SN 32093 was manufactured in 1943 and shipped to the State of Alabama, Military Dept., Kilby Alabama, it is marked with a 'G.H.D. inspection mark and inspectors 'bomb', five star mark on the cylinder, and all three serial numbers match.  The original Kraft style military box which is hand-numbered to the revolver is included.  The revolver was in the Alabama National Guard stores and later placed in the Marion Military Institute Museum until 1911 when the museum sold the boxed revolvers to a local dealer.

Extensive details on the source of this Commando revolver

Additional images and the original factory box

SN 889501

Colt Detective Special .38, 2" (2nd ver. 1964) Blue

This excellent condition round butt .38 Special Detective Special in this collection is in the original box with all papers, has original numbered, checkered wood (Walnut) grips (which is more rare and distinctive for the 2nd version), silver Colt Rampant medallions, with the checkered wood rounded butt.   The 2 in. barrel is marked 'Detective Spec./ 38 Special, CTG', and has a serial number of 889501 which shows up as having been made in 1964.   According to the factory letter it was shipped to James A Colosimo, 935 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, Pa. in December of 1965 as part of a shipment of 65 guns.

Original Colt factory box and other images

SN 888883

Colt Detective Special .38, 2" (2nd ver. 1964) Nickel

1968 Colt Catalog

This excellent condition round butt .38 Special Detective Special in this collection has original checkered wood (Walnut) grips and is nickel plated (wood grips and nickel plating is more rare and distinctive for the 2nd versions), silver Colt Rampant medallions, with the checkered wood rounded butt.  Grips are numbered for this revolver.   The 2 in. barrel is marked 'Detective Spec./ 38 Special, CTG', and has a serial number of 888883 which shows up as having left the factory in 1963.

Additional photos with correct box and data

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