The story here is a continuation of one that began in my post "Thoughts About a Model 36" over in the S&W: Revolvers 1961-1980 Forum, and has migrated here as the subject firearm has changed, as the post title suggests:
My story actually begins about 2 weeks ago. I stop at least once a week at one or two of my local gun stores to peruse the selection of used firearms, and poke through one of the store's junk bin, a garbage can in the back corner with a selection of used holsters, pouches, cases, etc. In the junk bin that week, I pulled out an old Bucheimer Guardian holster that I thought may be a K-Frame holster, and was a good fit for the 4" S&W 686 (yes, I know it's a L-Frame, it's just what was available to do a test fit) from the range rental desk. For $5 who could resist anyway?
Further Research on the model code stamped into the back of the holster, B401, yielded few concrete answers other than the B stands for black. The closest I could come to an answer was from a vintage Bucheimer catalog page from 1955 or 56 posted elsewhere on this very forum. The catalog page mentions the Guardian model holster among others, and lists model codes for several different firearms, with the closest matching number being for the 4" Colt Official Police, listed as model code 402. My supposition here is that my holster with model code 401 is an older model made for the the 4" Official Police made prior to that catalog's printing. My thinking is further reinforced by the fact that the 686 I test fit in it was a fairly good fit, as I have read elsewhere that the S&W L-Frame is very close to the Colt E and I-Frames in size.
My first question for the group: Can anyone confirm or reinforce my analysis of this holster? I know there are other resources for later Bucheimer holsters from the 60s and 70s, I wonder if anyone might know anything else about their holsters from the mid 50s and earlier.
Anyway, let's continue the story: So, now I have this holster that I invested a whole $5 into, and no 4" S&W K or L-Frame or Colt E-Frame revolver to put in it. My plan was to seek out an older Model 10 or 15 in the near future, and until then, the holster would go into my holster collection.
Fast forward to this evening, and another stop at the LGS, originally with the intent to purchase a Model 36 they have had in the case for about a month now. While scanning the case to see if the 36 was still there (they had moved it), I spotted a very nice looking Colt Official Police in the next case over. I was drawn to it,
catching my attention faster than the almost reasonably-priced Python right next to it, and just had to take a closer look at it. The Official Police has Colt wood grips, and a Tyler T-Grip affixed, and seems to be in generally good condition aside from the expected holster wear on a gun that old. The serial number of 800XXX suggests a manufacture year of 1950, or at least according to an online chart I found.
Now there was one additional curiosity about this revolver that pushed me into the purchase: Stamped on the bottom of the grip frame was "NHP A15", suggesting that the gun was a police issued firearm. The salesman speculated that it may have come from New Haven Police Department, as we are in Connecticut, though I am wondering if NHP stands for Nevada Highway Patrol.
Question 2: Has anyone else owned a revolver or pistol marked NHP, that can confirm an origin? Else, can anyone confirm whether New Haven PD in CT or Nevada Highway Patrol were issuing or using the Colt Official Police in the early 50s?
So, as every other Colt revolver I have looked at in this particular gun shop has sold faster than I can decide to buy it (two separate Troopers in the last 6 months, one may have had Farrant grips, and both sold before I had time to make a full circle around the store), I chose to purchase it while it was still in my hands. As it was too late to process the paperwork with the state, and I am a little light on funds this week, I put money down on it, and put it on layaway for the short term. Stupidly, I didn't have the wherewithal to snap a photo before finishing my transaction, so I will post one when I pick it up...
It wasn't until later, on my way home that I realized that I had a matching holster for this gun, though it may have played a role subconsciously. Now, I am wondering if the holster possibly came in with the gun, and the shop separated the two. I find it oddly coincidental that in a short time-frame the same gun shop would have an early 50s Colt Official Police for sale, and what I think is an early 50s Bucheimer duty holster for the same model of firearm. I think it was meant to be...
Colt Official Police: I need some info...
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