I picked this up yesterday from a local pawn shop. 1941/42 Colt Official Police.

As I get older, there's a few guns I still want, but don't need 10 of the same model (as I use to do). One is fine. And I also like the older guns now. They seem to have more character. I realized I didn't have a 4 inch .38 in my collection and always wanted a Colt Commando. I guess this is the next best thing.

I've read these can handle the hotter 38/44 loads. And my 586 speed loaders work perfectly with this. The T-grip I already had in my parts bin.

I would like to find out what the butt stamping means, but I've read if I letter it, it just comes back Defense Supplies Corporation. And there's no records of where the DSC sent them to.

Here's some pics.
Enjoy.

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Watch & Pray

Very Nice. Don't know about the butt markings. I bought a 1956 Colt Official Police several years ago. I think the Colt Official Police revolvers don't get the "respect" they deserve from folks as reflected in the prices you see. Last made in 1969. Smooth, well made, and accurate!

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Here is mine, an Army Special from 1927, along with a knife, both inherited from my dad. These are beyond value to me.

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Regarding the stamping on the butt: I've seen similar markings on wartime revolvers and shotguns that were used by guards at manufacturing plants that were critical to the war effort. A Dupont plant in Texas comes immediately to mind.

This is just a guess, mind you...but it wouldn't surprise me if that's what it is.

Virtually impossible to trace provenance, though, unless you could find a company order or something. Still wouldn't hurt to get the Colt letter, in my opinion.

Great looking old Colt.

Good looking old piece, I’m sure it has some stories to tell if it could talk!

And the price was ??????????????????????????????. It wasn't carried much.

Looks like an outstanding acquisition!!! Congratulations on purchasing a beautiful old quality revolver from what was once was a great revolver manufacturer! I am very envious........!

Actually more than I should have paid, but I don't find these too often around here. And GB is a risk without seeing it in person.

$625 OTD.

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Watch & Pray

My guess, and it is only a guess, it was sold to General Electric as a guard gun.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

That’s an awesome looking old Colt!

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Some Might Say.

I believe that Colt listed .38-44 ammo for the gun, but that doesn't mean they thought it should be routinely used with that high velocity load. That'll loosen the gun prematurely.
In Haven & Belden's, A History of the Colt Revolver, 1836-1940, even the smaller Detective Special and Police Positive Special were shown as being sold as suitable for high velocity ammo.

Recoil on the smaller Colts must have been grim.

Buffalo Bore makes a hot .38 load today that serves the role the discontinued .38-44 ammo once filled. It is hotter than most Plus P ammo.

I think it's ideal for old .38-44 guns or for K-frame .357's. It should be okay for your old Colt, if used in moderation. Ask the ammo maker.

Nice old Colt you got. You'll enjoy it.

I got this one a few weeks ago. The experts here tell me it's probably from 1942, and is an Official Police, not a commando (My LGS has a Commando in the case, at least I think it's still there.) There is nothing stamped on the butt like yours has.





I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I think it will be in the rotation the next time I go to the range.

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John 3:16 .

By the grips are you sure that is not an early Commando?

I think the grips are replacement. I can see discoloration in the frame where larger grips once where, but it probably originally had wood service style.

It also has Ofc. Police characteristics (serrated trigger, hammer, and blue finish).

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Watch & Pray

I actually have some of this ammo. It's something I would just use as carry ammo.

Aren't these guns built on the same frame as Colt's .357's? Mine also has the star on the cylinder face (which I've read) means stronger machine gun steel was used to make these.

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Watch & Pray

I wouldn't worry about shooting the most powerful 38s you can find in that gun because you are correct, it's built on the same frame as the 3-5-7 and the Python. Well, basically the same frame, the E frame with hammer mounted firing pin, instead of the later I frame with frame mounted firing pin.

I believe the Coltwood plastic grips were standard on the official police from WWII until around 1953-54. They were changed back to wood after that time.

When my dad owned the gun pictured in post #3, he and my uncle shot overloads in it that were 357 Magnum in everything but name. The gun withstood this abuse and is still in excellent mechanical shape (minty???), but this is not something I would recommend doing. Standard 38's get 'er done for this old gun, which has earned its retirement!

I added another picture to that post; one of the other side of the gun.

Here's a later one: 1966