Colt Officers Model Target OMT 3rd Issue 6″ .22 LR Revolver & Box, 1936 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1600

LSB#: 210930TP01

Make: Colt

Model: Officer’s Model Target Third Issue

Serial Number: 15134

Year of Manufacture: 1936 (https://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup)

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT”, “OFFICERS / MODEL”, and “.22 LONG RIFLE”. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D AUG 5, 1884 JULY 4, 1905 OCT 5, 1926”. The left sideplate is marked with a rampant colt logo. The crane cut is marked “15134 / U”, and the crane is marked “15134”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with “VP” in a triangle at the front and a “4” at the back.

Barrel Length: The barrel is 6” in length.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade pinned into a base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped adjustable square notched target sight that is dovetailed to the frame with a lateral set screw. The rear sight and the top of the top strap have a matte black finish to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips checkered walnut with silver rampant Colt medallions. There is some minor crazing on the smooth borders. Otherwise, there is only light handling wear and the checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in about Fine-plus condition overall.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some stubborn fouling.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. The cylinder has a faint turn-line, more pronounced in the lead-in grooves, thinning on the edges of the flutes and a few scattered, light marks. There is faint thinning around the muzzle. The knurling on the ejector rod is sharp and the rod is free of wear. The checkering on the trigger and backstrap is sharp. The screw heads show little to no tool marks with strong slots and the markings are crisp. Overall, this revolver rates in about Fine-Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The cylinder lockup on this revolver is SOLID, with no play whatsoever. The double action trigger is VERY 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: Included is an original Colt factory box. The box has oil staining throughout. The oil has obscured the serial marking on the bottom, but it appears to match the revolver. There are no rips or tears, just scattered finish loss and oil staining.

Our Assessment: The third issue Colt Officer’s Model Target revolvers were made from 1927-1949. The Officers Model was Colt’s premium revolver until the introduction of the super-premium Python in 1955. Back when revolvers were the target gun of choice, Colts were the target revolver of choice and it’s easy to see why. The lockup on this 86 year old revolver is outstanding, the sight picture is fantastic and the craftsmanship is something not seen in standard commercial offerings today. The finish is the type of bluing only found on old Colts and though it shows some marks and wear, we can all only hope to be in this kind of condition when we’re 86 years old. This is certain to be the same fantastic quality target revolver it was when it rolled off the assembly lines in the middle of the ’30s, but it’s more likely to find a home in a Colt collector’s stable. Please see our photos and good luck!