Colt Shooting Master > Update Letter Added

RILEY31 · Oct 17, 2017

I went to a gun show Friday and found a Colt Shooting Master .38 made in 1940. Don't recall ever seeing another one in person. After posting it on another forum I found out that only 100-200 where made with a square butt out of only 3500 total. Anyone else have one to show?

bmcgilvray · Oct 17, 2017

Whooo...!!!

I like that!

New Service revolvers and any variant thereof are my very favorite Colt revolver of all. An uncommonly found Shooting Master would be a prize.

DWalt · Oct 18, 2017

I don't know how many SMs were made, only that I have not seen one in many years. Basically it is a target variant of the large frame New Service. A few SMs were made chambered in .357 Magnum, which was Colt's first revolver in that caliber. One of those would be a great find.

RILEY31 · Oct 18, 2017

Here is some information about the Colt Shooting Master calibers and number of each made.The link below tells the full story

The Shooting Master was offered in five standard calibers for a total quantity of approximately 3500 guns. They were as follows: .45 Colt (Qty 156), .45 ACP (Qty 250), .44 Russian/S&W Special (Qty 94), .357 Magnum (starting about 1936) (Qty 500) and the .38 SpeciaL (Qty 2500). There are three known Shooting Masters to have been made in another caliber. One of each of the following is known: .22 RF Caliber, 38-200 (.38 S&W) & .455 Eley. There are two known Shooting Masters to have been made with a nickel finish. One was in .45 Colt and the other in .45 ACP.
A close look at the Colt Shooting Master

sailor723 · Oct 18, 2017

Nice find! I passed on one of these a couple of years ago because the cosmetics weren't quite good enough for me. I regret that now.

Toyman · Oct 18, 2017

This is a 38 special shooting master shipped in 1937.

toyman-albums-colt-new-service-revolvers-picture6615-new-service-shooting-master-38-special-shipped-1937-a.jpg

moosedog · Oct 18, 2017

I wish I had one to show, those are fine revolvers. Congratulations.

MCorps0311 · Oct 18, 2017

A masterpiece for sure.

red9 · Oct 18, 2017

Here is one from my earlier post:

A Pair of Colts With Different Ropers

Bob

Toyman · Oct 18, 2017

Here is 357 magnum Shooting Master shipped July 1938.
King rib, Roper grips with period correct ammo. Shooting 148
grain wad cutters is like shooting a BB gun of a battleship.

toyman-albums-colt-new-service-revolvers-picture12850-colt-357-shooting-master-1937-1938-king-super-target-rib-roper-grips-period-correct-ammunition.jpg

RILEY31 · Oct 18, 2017

Nice Shooting Masters! I wish I could find one in 357 that I could afford.

RILEY31 · Nov 10, 2017

I received the Colt Letter today so I updated the post

handejector · Nov 14, 2017

Caliber is 38/c ????
What is that? Are they saying 38 Colt?
Does it chamber 38 Special?

Nice gun!

lifesizepotato · Nov 22, 2017

A little late to this party but I have a Shooting Master in 357 that has quite a bit of character. At some point in its ~80 years on this earth, someone shortened the barrel, and it has its share of patina. No rust or pitting, it's all smooth to the touch, just intriguing wear to the bluing.

It's a fantastic shooter, and whoever did the barrel did a great job as it's still exceptionally accurate.

I'm not typically into guns with this much "color" but the modifications make me think it was a real working piece for somebody interesting. If only it could talk.

RILEY31 · Nov 23, 2017

handejector, It is .38 special.

lifesizepotato, That is a very nice and unique Shooting Master.

Muley Gil · Nov 23, 2017

So it shipped to the Marine Corps? That's neat.

If someday you decide to pass it on to another owner, send me a PM.

RILEY31 · Nov 23, 2017

I will remember you Muley Gil, This is an interesting gun besides the fact that it was sent to the USMC, It is written about in the book Colt New Service Revolvers by Bob Murphy. The entry is as follows: "348281 .38 Special, square butt, factory rebuilt to .357.

I have been trying to contact Colt to see why this was not noted in the letter but the are out till the 27th for Thanksgiving.
I had not thought to try a .357 round in it until I was informed about the book entry, but it is chambered for .357.

Colt Shooting Master > Update Letter Added

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