These pics aren't my best but here goes: I bought this circa 1923 Army Special at my local pawn about 6 years ago, complete with what appear to be home-made (but well made) target grips. Timing is excellent & bore is okay. I haven't shot it yet but I have a box of .32-20 cowboy loads and will get it out to the range or field one day.

Well, now thanks to our forum's own "fat tom" I have a great Lawrence holster that fits it near perfectly (the holster holds up to a six inch barrel & this Colt has a 5 inch pipe). Hope you guys enjoy the pics.

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Some may not know that the Colt Army Special and the later Colt Official Police are two different names for essentially the same revolver. The name was changed simply to make it more attractive to the law enforcement market. But there are some slight, mainly cosmetic, differences. Anyone who plans to shoot .32-20 to any great extent should consider taking up reloading.

very nice old gal you got there.

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God save the SOUTH

Great looking classic Colt you have there sir! The trigger-action on your Army Special had to be "hand-honed" and "hand-fitted" and this was done by some of the best factory craftsmen at Colt Firearms. The Army Special is the Grandfather of the Python! A six-gun purchased by more LE Agencies than the Military and this would lead to the name, Army Special, being changed to Official Police in 1928. Thanks for showing us a real Colt treasure!

David

"The Army Special is the Grandfather of the Python!"

Essentially true, except maybe more like father than grandfather. The same Colt frame (the "E," or medium frame) was used from 1908 until about 1969 for Colt non-magnum revolvers, principally the Army Special (which the Army never adopted), the Official Police, and the several versions of "Officer's Model" target revolvers, plus a few others, chambered in .22, .32-20, and .38 Special. The later "I" frame, which was used for the 3-5-7, the Python, and the later .38/.357 Trooper, is identical to the "E" frame, except that the firing pin is in the frame, rather than on the hammer. I guess Colt felt that change was necessary to handle the pressures of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The Colt E/I frame is a little beefier than the S&W K-frame. I don't believe there were any significant changes made to the lockwork design throughout the E/I frame revolver production period.

Colt must have had some 32-20 Army Special barrels and cylinders left over after the model was dropped in 1927 because examples with serials dating into the mid 1930s turn up regularly. I have one with a serial from 1934 that is clearly marked Army Special on the barrel. Obviously these late 32-20s were assembled from Official Police frames as they are serial numbered with the OP line. My 1934 is tha latest date I have personally seen. Wonder if mine may be the last one produced?

For reasons I do not understand a very high percentage of 32-20 revolvers (both Colt and S&W) are encountered with bulged barrels. Mine must have been so damaged and someone cut the barrel back to 3". No clue as to original length. makes an interesting looking gun.

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No life story has happy end.

Nice gun and you should shoot it. When you drop the hammer on those "Cowboy" loads be prepared to wonder if the cartridge actually fired. The cowboy ammo is loaded very mild for the costume cowboys of the 21st century. That's why Dwalt encourages handloading for 32-20.

Enjoy!

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Bob.
SWCA 1821