Ya caught me-
I occasionally dally on the wrong side o' the tracks.

Most references seem as vague and confused as I am on the OM's serial numbers. Even Larry Wilson doesn't seem to know much.

So, I know this is a Third Issue from the 1926 patent date.
I know it should be numbered in the Official Police series.
So, is it a 1930 gun?

Barrel length is 4-1/2 inch.
I know they cataloged many barrel lengths, but 6 inch is almost ALL I ever see.
How common/rare are the other lengths?

The action-
I'm no big fan of the design/timing of the Colt action. I must say this gun is impressive. With the trigger held back, there is NO perceivable movemnet of the cyl in ANY direction. NONE!

Interesting old gun. Moderate holster wear, chips on bottom edge of right grip, NO rust or pitting beyond some very faint freckles, perfect bore. Had to be a cop gun.

Tell me whatcha know, please.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Well, all I have is my RL Wilson TBOCF, too. There's a fellow on the Colt Forum, "ColtDAguy," Bob Best, who would know, if you felt like a visit over there. Or maybe JudgeColt will come across this here.

I like it, especially with the 4 1/2" bbl. And, sounds like a Colt action, all right. Nice!

Wish I could help you out but Im in the same boat as you on these. Haveing said that, that's a good looking one you have there and in good working order those Colt's do lock up tight. Let us know how it shoot's!

__________________
Stay safe people!

Lee: If you think the S&W practice of issuing serial numbers has been chaotic, Colt's system makes S&W look positively logical. I have a Colt Officers' Model Match in the same serial number range (shared with the Trooper Model) and it's date of manufacturer is 1961. I too share a slight distaste for the design and execution of the innards on Colt double actions, but when they work, they really work well. The feel of the double action pull through on my Officers' Model Match is the feel that I aspire to when doing action jobs on my S&Ws. My Colt's cylinder lockup is also one of the best I have ever experienced. ..... Big Cholla

Agree with the Colt internals. My Officers Model Target locks up tight as a bank vault. I could never quite figure out just when it was built, I was told "around" 1940'ish. SN 65063X.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

greetings I picked up a 6" at the last gun show.has the same markings and close on the serail number.in wilsons date and manufacture little book on page 23 claims it was made in 1950 if this is wrong please let me know thanks Jens

Lee,

Third model Officers' Model Target, made in 1930 (ProofHouse.com). 6" is the most common barrel length, 4" is next. 4½", 5", 7½" are much less common. There is also the possibility of custom lengths on customer requests.

The strength of the Colt action is also its weakness. The cylinder is designed not to move at lockup, so a properly aligned cylinder can have a small forcing cone angle, and better accuracy. However, it doesn't take much wear to get out of time and shave lead.

Buck

please correct me if I am wrong.in wilsons date and manufacture book on page 23 under officers model it should read officers model 22 cal. all 38 cal. pistols are in the offical police serial range? I think i got it right now. so my pistol that I thought was made in 1950 is really from 1935 I kind of like that 1935 was a good year.the front sight on my pistol looks just like yours Lee I was thinking maybe somebody had filed mine. thank you for the information. Jens

haggis-
Thanks for the data on the barrel lengths.


Correct- till 1949, when the Officers Model Special came out, it blended the 38 (and probably the 32's) into that range beginning at 60001.

Wilson makes the statement:
"No species of Colt double action can touch the Officers Model in intricacy of serial numbers, and variations in configurations, sights, and nomenclature."

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett