Colt Officers Model Special 6″ Heavy .38 Spl Target Revolver, MFD 1951 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1030
LSB#: 210114JR29
Make: Colt
Model: Officer’s Model Special
Serial Number: 787432
Year of Manufacture: 1951 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “OFFICERS MODEL SPECIAL / .38 SPECIAL CTG.”. The right side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The sideplate is marked with a “Rampant Colt” logo. The crane flat is marked “787432”, “1”, “J” and “N”, and the crane is marked “787432”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” in a triangle at the front and a “5” at the back.
Barrel Length: 6″ Heavy Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade pinned into a serrated ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped square notched target sight that is dovetailed to the top strap and adjustable for windage and elevation. The rear sight and the top of the top strap have a matte black finish to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic “Coltwood” panels with rampant colt logos in circle at their tops. The grips are generally shy to the frame, shrinkage is commonly seen on Coltwood grips. There are a few scattered light nicks and scuffs with wear around the screw escutcheon on the right panel. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable at the muzzle. There are some scattered light nicks and scuffs with most on the right of the barrel. The action shows light operational wear, including a thin, light turn-line on the cylinder. The side faces of the hammer have some stubborn dried grease. There are light tool marks around some screw heads, most notable at the sideplate screw. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The cylinder lockup on this revolver is SOLID, with no play whatsoever while the trigger is depressed. The double action trigger is smooth and the single action trigger breaks cleanly and lightly. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a cardboard Colt box with serial-matching test-target. The box was originally one-piece with a hinged lid, the lid has separated from the tray portion. There is scattered light storage wear, fraying at edges and corners, and a few tears at corners with one tape-repaired. Overall, the box is in about Fair-Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Colt Officer’s Model Special was the first upgrade to their Officer’s Model after World War II, with upgrades including an extra heavy, non-tapered barrel and Coltmaster fully adjustable rear sight. The hand-honed action of these revolvers helped shooters win many championships, and they are generally known to be one of the finest target revolvers ever manufactured. The action on this revolver is certainly no exception and rivals that of the Colt Python for smoothness. In addition to its 6” barrel, this revolver has a rear target sight adjustable for windage and elevation and a Patridge front sight. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and the cylinder lockup is as solid as the day it left the factory. This is a nice-looking revolver and no Colt revolver collection would ever be complete without a Colt Officer’s Model in each of its variants. This example comes with a very impressive test-target, with all five rounds fired forming one ragged hole at 15 yards. It’s high condition would make this revolver a good addition to a collection. Those looking for a high-end target revolver should also be interested in this revolver – we weren’t kidding when we said it rivals the Python for smoothness. Please see our photos and good luck!