Colt Officers Model Match .38 Spl. 6″ Single Action Target Revolver 1958 C&
SOLD FOR: $2,000.00
LSB#: LSB260625WM061
Make: Colt
Model: Officer’s Model Match
Serial Number: 921561
Year of Manufacture: 1958 / C&R (Shipped in 1959)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action Only Revolver with Swing Out Cylinder & Hand Ejector
Markings: The side plate is marked with the Rampant Colt. The crane arm and crane cut are marked, “921561”. The left side of the barrel is marked, “OFFICERS MODEL MATCH” / “CAL. .38 SPECIAL”. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” proof. The sides of the grip frame are marked with inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 6″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a Patridge target blade pinned to a serrated ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a fully adjustable square notch target sight, pinned to the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two piece checkered walnut with silver color Colt medallions at their tops. There are minor handling scratches. The checkering is sharp with minor peak wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling in sharp. There is some minor fouling in the grooves. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and operational wear. There are minor scratches and compression dings along the barrel. There are light handling scratches along the frame. There is finish wear at the muzzle and front of the trigger guard. There is carbon residue in the cylinder flutes. There is a turn line on the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp with light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and smoothly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. This revolver was shipped with a Short Action and operates in Single Action.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Cardboard pistol box, Colt Collector’s Association letter, and a Colt Industries letter.
Our Assessment: The Colt Officer’s Model Match was introduced in 1953 as the final major evolution of Colt’s traditional medium-frame target revolver and was built specifically for serious competitive shooting. Chambered in .38 Special and .22 rimfire, the Match combined a 6″ heavy tapered barrel, fully adjustable Accro rear sight, Patridge-style front sight, wide target hammer, and checkered walnut target stocks. Particularly significant are the rare special-order “Short Action” revolvers produced for precision competition. These were configured for single-action-only fire with reduced hammer travel, providing faster thumb-cocking during timed and rapid-fire stages. Colt supplied examples in National Match configuration to military shooting programs, and genuine factory short-action Officer’s Model Match revolvers are considerably scarcer than the standard double/single-action version.
This revolver remains in Fine condition, retaining approximately 96% of its original blue finish with minor muzzle and trigger-guard wear, scattered scratches and compression marks, operational wear, carbon residue, and a cylinder turn line. The checkered walnut stocks remain in Fine condition with sharp definition and no chips or cracks, while the bright 9/10 bore retains sharp rifling with no erosion and only minor fouling. Mechanically, the revolver functions smoothly in its current single-action configuration, and its factory-documented Short Action, 6″ target barrel, adjustable sights, strong original finish, and included Colt Collector’s Association and Colt Industries documentation give this example substantially greater interest than a standard Officer’s Model Match. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY