Early 1900’s Craftsmanship - Colt Officers Model 1st Issue .38 Special In Dealer Case

I don’t collect these and I’m not even sure that I’m going to shoot it, but this one spoke to me when I saw it for sale recently on GI. It is a Colt Officers Model 1st Issue that came in a period correct dealer case with tools. This one was shipped in 1906 I believe, 3rd year of production. The high polish blue on these early 1900 vintage Colts, especially when coupled with the fire blue on the screws and small parts, is so spectacular that I sometimes wonder how folks that bought these brand new could bring themselves to shoot them.

I have one other Officers Model which is a 3rd Issue Heavy Barrel Target with King Super Target modifications and Roper grips. That Officers Model and this recent purchase have the same name, barrel length, and caliber, but otherwise are very different revolvers. This purchase turned out to be a learning experience for me as I did not previously realize that these 1st Issue Officers Models, which were introduced in 1904, were based on the old Colt New Army & Navy model series made from 1889 to 1903 with the side plate on the right side and a cylinder that rotated counterclockwise. I guess it turns out that the two Officers Models I have now pretty much represent the beginning and end of the Pre-War Officers Model series. I should also mention that all numbers match on this gun including the grips.

Anyway, enough of the babble. Here are a couple of quick pictures for now. I believe you can get a closer look if you click on the pictures. If the factory letter I have on order turns up anything interesting I will update this thread accordingly down the road.

It came in a nicely made period dealer case with brass handle tools. It’s not visible in these pictures but even the blades on the screw drivers are blued........


The gun is in pretty nice condition for a First Issue, but there are actually some minor flaws and handling marks in the bluing not visible in these next two pictures........



Fire blue on many of the small parts including trigger, hammer, and screws.......



Let’s see your Colt Officers Model 1st Issues!

The Colts with fire blued parts are beautiful. A few cylinders of 148 grain wadcutters fired single action at a bulleyes target for nostalgias sake would be great.
My officers model is a bit younger than yours and has been converted to short hammer throw so fired double action it will not ignite primers but shooting single action with crisp trigger pull is a real joy.

Toyman said:

My officers ......has been converted to short hammer throw so fired double action it will not ignite primers but shooting single action with crisp trigger pull is a real joy.

Click to expand...

Yes indeed Roy, and that is a beautiful OM. My other OM that I referred to in my original post above has that same type short throw hammer conversion. What an absolute pleasure to shoot in single action!

Most custom quality off the rack guns were produced before WW 2. Take a close look at a pre war Colt Woodsman and admire the close tolerances. Even a well worn Woodsman is so close tolerance that a cigarette paper cant be slipped into the gap between slide and frame. Newer self loader can put an entire cigarette between this gap. A little hyperbole of course.

I would have purchased it just for the grips.....looking forward to the letter.

Awesome piece!

And a really nice score! It does not matter what you paid for it. What a gem!

While I have a fair number of Officers Model revolvers none are as old as yours. My favorite shooter is this .32 that came with Sanderson grips, Roper front sight and a target hammer. The Heiser shoulder holster is scribed .32 OM on the back. I hope you do end up shooting yours and will tell us about it.
Regards,
turnerriver

I dont care who you are, that's SWEET....I have an OMS and a match in .22....fine revolvers!

That is a nice example lestert357, and looks like it was the proud possession of some target shooter a century ago.
Colt's was still finishing some small parts in fire blue as late as about 1940. Here is a pic of my Officers Model Target frame. The top of the hammer and the screws and pins on the sights are also fire blued.