Colt Officers Model .38 Long/Short Double Action Target Revolver, 1908 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1075
LSB#: 220105JM004
Make: Colt
Model: Officers Model
Serial Number: 305008
Year of Manufacture: 1908 (Both the COLT Serial Number Lookup and R.L. Wilson’s The Book of Colt Firearms indicate this.)
Caliber: .38 Long & Short Colt
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. HARTFORD CT. U. S. A. / PAT’D AUG. 5, 1884 JULY 4, 1905”. The left side of the barrel is marked “OFFICERS’ MODEL .38”. The side plate is marked with the Rampant Colt intertwined with a stylized “C”. The crane is marked with the serial number, “305008” over “3”. The crane arm is marked with the serial number only, “305008”. On the left side of the frame the forward trigger guard bow is marked with “VP” in an inverted triangle, and the rear is marked “3”. The inside of each grip panel has “5008” hand-written in pencil.
Barrel Length: 6”, Tapered
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a height adjustable blade pinned to a base that is fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a windage adjustable flat-top u-notch that is dovetailed into the top strap.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with smooth borders, a smooth wedge at the top and smooth diamond around the grip screw. The backstrap is checkered. The smooth areas of each panel have minor nicks and compressions. Small areas on each panel have chackering that is lightly worn down. There are no chips or cracks, and the checkering is otherwise well-defined. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well-defined rifling. There are scattered spots of minor erosion in the bore as well as a few spots of very minor stubborn fouling.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The barrel has moderate holster wear on the left side that resolves into several light nicks through the finish along with scattered light surface oxidation. There is minor thinning on most edges of the frame along with light surface oxidation scattered about either side. The front strap and back strap have gone to a light patina with the front strap having gone partly to white. The cylinder has a distinct turn line along with light thinning on most edges. The screws and pins have minor tool marks with strong slots. All markings are clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Very Good-to-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with no play when the trigger is depressed. The double action trigger is smooth. The single action trigger is light. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, thorough and consistent cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This Officers’ Model revolver includes a brown leather flap holster.
Our Assessment: The Officers’ Model was Colt’s premium revolver until the introduction of the superlative Python revolver in 1955. Back when revolvers were the target gun of choice, Colt models were the favored sons and it’s plain as day why. The lockup on this 114 year old revolver is simply outstanding, a testament to the craftsmanship of Colt firearms—it is something not often seen even in finer commercial offerings today. This example is from quite early in production, and it does have some degree of wear throughout which is for the most part surface oxidation that should clean up with some careful attention. The bore is in decent shape, and mechanically all is well. Effectively, this is the same fantastic quality target revolver it was when it rolled off the assembly line in 1908, and will be of serious interest to the discerning Colt collector. Good luck and happy bidding!