Colt Officer’s Model Target: a couple questions for the Colt aficionados

mainegrw · #1 04-08-2018, 08:25 AM

I came into possession of a beautiful Colt Officer’s Model Target in 38 special yesterday. I’ve been looking for one for quite a while, and this one finally crossed my path. According to Colt’s serial number database, this particular gun dates to 1911, making it an early second issue. The gun seems to be in good working order, and the timing and lock up is still perfect. The finish is a little worn, but what can you expect for a gun gun that is 107 years old.

So a couple questions:

I’ve read that these guns were the premier target revolver of their time (thus my interest in them), and that a lot of hand fitting and work went into making the actions perfect. Is there anything I need to be careful about if I shoot it? I am led to believe that if I treat it with care, as I do with all of my firearms, it will probably outlast me.

The second photo below shows, albeit a little tough to see, the Colt logo from the left side of the frame. I’ve e never seen one quite like this before, and I’ve found only one picture of another like it, also on an OMT. Does anyone know: is this an old, short-lived Colt logo, or something that was specific to the Officer’s Model Target? Most examples of the OMT, and other Colt revolvers contemporary to time period I’ve seen online just have the rampant colt, and not the additional embellishment around it. Thoughts?

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harvester1 · #2 04-08-2018, 08:36 AM

From that era that is the correct Rampant Colt stamping. Very nice gun, stocks too. I believe the gun will shoot 148 wad cutters extremely well. More information here:The Rampant Colt Photo Reference Thread

Kurusu · #3 04-08-2018, 08:46 AM

I have an Official Police, basically the same thing without the heavier barrel and the adjustable sights, the single action is just marvellous. But, if that V mainspring brakes you're in trouble.

The much famed Python is also the same thing, internally that is.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the Python's full underlug and ventilated rib.

2152hq · #4 04-08-2018, 08:46 AM

Beautiful Colt.
Just don't try and make a Magnum out of it in the way of feeding it ammunition and it'll last another 100+ years.
Mid-range target Wadcutter ammunition would be my choice if purchasing ammo or reloading.
Standard 158gr RNLead would probably be fine to, but it's a pure target revolver after all. Just respect the age of the revolver that's all same as if it was a S&W from that time.

The fit, polish finish and blue were second to none on this era Colt .The bluing was Charcoal Blue on these, not the later Carbona/Machine bluing process. The latter came into use at Colt in about 1913.

The stylized 'C' w/ the Colt Pony logo was a standrd on some of their arms at the time. Also versions of the 'C' are seen cast into their hard rubber grips of the period used on some of their other handguns.

The medallions on your grips may be of the era where the Pony faces forward on both the left and the right side grip. That necessitated a separate left and a right side grip medallion.
I can't remember the exact time frame they did that but they later gave up on that and just used a single medallion so one side ends up facing 'backwards'.

Very nice revolver.
I had one of the same made in 1912 but very stupidly traded it off some years ago and still regret it.

jdlii · #5 04-08-2018, 11:16 AM

Very nice! There was a recent episode of "I have this Old Gun" on the NRA channel, sponsored by Midway USA, on the Colt Official Police and the Officer's Model. These revolvers ruled the firing line at Camp Perry for years.

With care and proper feeding, it should last you a life time and then some.

Grayfox · #6 04-08-2018, 12:17 PM

I picked up a 1940 3rd issue OM last year. The thing shoots like a dream and is far more accurate than I can be.

You're gonna love yours.

Jebus35745 · #7 04-08-2018, 04:10 PM

Very nice catch on that one. From the looks of the front sight, your rear sight should have a U notch!! Get back with a range report, Larry

824tsv · #8 04-08-2018, 10:16 PM

Beautiful OMT and interesting stocks. I can't say that I've seen a checkering pattern like that before on Colt stocks. How do they fit? It looks to me that they don't fit all that well, but it may be the angle and lighting. Can you post a pic of the right side?

Qc Pistolero · #9 04-09-2018, 12:04 AM

Congrats;the gun ,while showing evidence of having been shot a lot seems in good shape.It probably has been shot only with light target loads.If fed with target WC,it should keep on giving good service.
I would question the grips though!They don't seem to belong to the gun.But otherwise,a gun worth a lot of $$$.

DWalt · #10 04-09-2018, 07:51 PM

You can't see the Colt logo so well on this picture of one of my Colt M1909s from 1910, but it has the stylized C. I also have an Army Special .32-20 from ca. 1911 which has the same logo (but no picture). Coltfever has a good picture of an early Colt Army Special with the same stylized C logo.

Warren Sear · #11 04-09-2018, 08:32 PM

You don't need to baby that Officer's Model with light loads, although it is a good idea not to over-stress it just out of common sense. My 1927 Army Special is built on essentially the same frame and lock work as yours (and the Colt Python).

When my dad owned it, he and my uncle fired plenty of ammo through it that was .357 Magnum in everything but name. I wouldn't do that, but I do want to correct any false notions that the old Colt lock-work was weak.

Here is mine (the knife belonged to him too):

Eddie Southgate · #12 04-09-2018, 08:47 PM

Here's Mine bought a number of years ago at a gun show in Birmingham Alabama for the grand sum of $275 cash no tax and a private sale from a dealer so no paper work . Shoots like a house on fire .

Warren , somewhere I have that same knife from my maternal grandfather . Mine was marked USN .

Eddie

DWalt · #13 04-09-2018, 09:25 PM

While I do not advocate using heavy loads in any guns (personal preference - I don't like muzzle blast and recoil), the Colt E and I frame revolvers (they are virtually identical) are somewhat beefier than S&W K-frames, always have been, and will handle any hot loads you wish to feed them. Many badmouth Colts as being delicate and prone to get out of time, etc. In fact, they are as tough as any other revolver, if not more so.

Performance-wise, the various Colt OMs will shoot just as well in competition as any K-series target revolver. Back when I was shooting in bullseye matches competitively, Colt OMs were more prevalent on the firing line than K-series Smiths - that is, before everyone switched to using semiautomatics.

BigBill · #14 04-09-2018, 09:29 PM

I have the Colt Officers, Target Model revolver in 22 lr. It’s said it’s built on the heavier 41 frame.

DWalt · #15 04-09-2018, 09:34 PM

All of the Colt E and I frames were built around the .41 Long Colt cartridge - The Army Special and Official Police, the various OMs, the .357, the early Troopers, and the Python.

mainegrw · #16 04-10-2018, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I took the OMT to the range on Sunday, and unfortunately, discovered a (hopefully) minor problem that I did not see when I first looked it over: The gun locks up right and timing appears proper in single action, however in double action the cylinder is locking up in the wrong position on one chamber only. From looking over the gun, I can see some minor wear around the cylinder notch that may be the culprit.

Additionally, while trying to analyze my issues, a look under the side plate had me initially worried, as the entire action was covered in what I thought may be rust, but turned out to be decades worth of congealed lubricant and crud. A few hours worth of very careful and meticulous cleaning with a nylon brush and cotton patches, along with the light application of new grease, has taken an already smooth action and made it even more so. The good news is, judging by the patina of the parts, I believe that the action is entirely original to the gun, and I see no signs of anyone having attempted to alter it in anyway.

I had hoped that my cleaning may have solved the lock-up issue, and that maybe the bolt was not completely extending back out when the action cycles due to crud build-up, but no such luck. I reached a point where this problem is over my level of firearms expertise, and the gun is going to visit a gunsmith for proper diagnosis and repair.

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Warren Sear · #17 04-10-2018, 07:33 AM

Right around now I expect someone to pull out the old chestnut that it is nearly impossible to find a qualified gunsmith who works on old Colts, but that is also false. Any gunsmith worthy of the title can fix these guns. "It ain't rocket surgery".

cmansguns · #18 04-10-2018, 08:25 AM

Congrats OP on that OMM. I too felt for years that the OMM was one of the finest if not THE finest target revolver out there.

Alas....the S & W bug really bit down hard on me and my wallet a number of years ago and something had to go to fund those antiques, and those K and N frame so the "ponies" went to new homes.......some days, especially reading posts like yours I have sellers remorse and have to go "on the hunt" for another S & W missing from my motley little collection.

Below Colt .22LR OMM (1969) sold it for $900, Colt 38 OMM (1962) sold it for $600. Both were fifth and final series before Colt discontinued the I frame in late 1969/early 1970 (except for Python). The 1971 Python brought me $2,450 a few years later. ALL..........very fine guns and as accurate and sturdy as anyone can expect.

Whether you bought for shooting or investment, you cannot do much better.

Wyatt Burp · #19 04-10-2018, 01:22 PM

I have a worn notch on a John Green .44 Spl. Conversion of a Colt 1860 Army. I just left it alone and use the the chamber that lines up above as the empty chamber. Those grips are beautiful. A few months back I bought a pair that I think are identical for $100 and quickly sold them for $250. So good value in the grips alone.
Edit: I ran across a pic of those grips I sold...

Warren Sear · #20 04-28-2018, 07:22 PM

Here are pictures of my Colt Officer's Model in .38 Special. I just got it last night. It was built in 1927 (I'm told), which is coincidentally the same year as the Army Special I have that I posted above (#11).

I love the smooth actions on those old Colts!

Warren Sear · #21 04-28-2018, 07:25 PM

More pictures...

Warren Sear · #22 04-28-2018, 07:28 PM

Family portrait of my Colt Army Special and Officer's Model revolvers.