For Sale: Colt Official Police 38 Revolver, Pre-War w/Box

The Colt Official Police 38 revolver was introduced in 1927 as the successor to the Army Special. Changes between the two models were few and minor until post war production in 1947, essentially remaining the same model with a new name. The double-action, six-shot revolver proved a popular arm for law enforcement, hence the name change to Official Police. The Official Police revolver offered here was manufactured in 1928 and part of the first issue group (1927-1946) with the last patent date of 1926 on top of the barrel. The revolver features a blued finish, serrated topstrap, four-inch barrel, half-moon blade front sight and notched topstrap rear sight, two-piece checkered walnut grips with silver rampant colt medallions at the top, and is chambered in .38 Special.

Markings on this Colt Official Police 38 revolver include ‘COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A./PAT’D AUG 5, 1884 JUNE 5, 1900 JULY 4, 1905 OCT. 5, 1926.’ on top of the barrel and ‘COLT’ ‘OFFICIAL/POLICE’ ‘.38’ on the left side of the barrel. The left side of the frame is marked with the rampant colt logo and under the crane, on the frame, is the serial number below an ‘I’ and above the letter ‘U’. The SN is stamped on the crane as well. ‘1656’ is electro penciled on the frame under the cylinder. The Verified Proof (VP within a triangle) mark is found on the left side of the frame just above the front trigger guard and the number ‘3’ is found on the same side, just above the rear of the trigger guard. ‘0’ is double/over stamped under the barrel, in front of the frame. The front face of the cylinder is marked with a ‘K’.

This Colt Police Positive 38 revolver is in excellent condition with a few minor scratches and small freckles of oxidization on the front and back grip straps. There is no drag line on the cylinder. The walnut grips show one blemish on the butt and otherwise show little wear and are not cracked. All markings are sharp and defined. The action is tight and crisp, and the bore clean and bright with excellent riffling.  There are minor handling marks on the frame and the blue is vibrant.

The original box is in excellent structural condition with very little storage and handling wear. A nonmatching SN is marked on the bottom of the box. Colt’s advertising and trademark information is marked inside the box top and bottom, while the end bears a sticker on the outside with the revolver information ‘4’ ‘COLT’ ‘OFFICIAL/POLICE’ ‘REVOLVER’ ‘.38’ over ‘WOOD BLUE’. Purchase includes the Colt Special Instructions pamphlet.

A well-cared for Colt Official Police 38 revolver in fantastic condition with an original Colt box.

See pictures for overall condition. FFL or C&R required for purchase.