Unusual Colt Official Police ?

[robertrwalsh]

just saw an interesting Colt OP in the used-consignment rack at a LGS. Good shape, dull blue finish. Has a Venezuelan National marking on the side near the Rampant Colt and what I assume is a police rack number on the butt (No. 5). The odd thing is it has a barrel of about 2 5/8 inches with a very nice ramped front sight. The markings on the barrel are centered and look correct (Colt Official Police on one line, .38 Special on the next line.) Production probably 1949-50. I can find no info on Colt producing this weapon with a barrel length of less than 4 " but if this is a custom job it is a very nice custom job. Factory order for police services maybe? Any info or even good ideas would be appreciated. I didn't buy it ($700) but that doesn't mean I won't. It is a tad steep, but they aren't making them any more either.

[Texas Star]

Colt made the OP with a two-inch barrel. I've never seen one except in photos, but they exist.

No help with your gun, though.

Probably a custom order or later mod. by some owner.

[Absalom]

A limited number of nominally 2" Official Police were made in the 1950s, I think in the mid-800-thousand serials or so. These are rare. See attached; I borrowed that from the Colt Forum.

If your barrel looks like this, at least it is real and not cut.

Unlike S&W, Colt didn't serial all major components, so even if you have a genuine barrel, only a Colt letter could confirm that the frame was born with it.