silicosys4
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I bought this Army Special in .32-20 earlier this year and when it arrived it had me scratching my head and wondering if I'd been bamboozled.
Colt Army Special production officially ended at the end of 1927, and was replaced by the Official Police. I have a few normal production Army Specials to compare and there were clear differences.
First oddity is the serial number which, according to Colt, falls well outside the Army Special range and well into the Official Police range, listing as a 1936 O.P. in Colts database.
The topstrap of the frame has the O.P.'s flattened contour but not the O.P's serrations, and had the O.P's larger sights, as well as a smooth trigger and cylinder release. Finish on the frame is rougher and varies in polish compared to the cylinder and barrel.
So what this ended up being is one of a relatively unknown batch of about 3000 cleanup guns made 7-8 years after the official end of the Army Special in order to use up a surplus of .32-20 barrels in various lengths. It is generally thought these were an economy gun meant to use up surplus parts, intended for sale to police or government. All that I know of have all been lettered to major distributors and wholesalers.
Serial numbers will be found in the late 580k to early 590k range. When found with a box the box will be a 2 piece box instead of the Army Specials usual clamshell box.
Interestingly there is no official mention anywhere of these guns that I've found in any book, blog, or online publications. All info came from individual collectors on various forums.
Colt Army Special production officially ended at the end of 1927, and was replaced by the Official Police. I have a few normal production Army Specials to compare and there were clear differences.
First oddity is the serial number which, according to Colt, falls well outside the Army Special range and well into the Official Police range, listing as a 1936 O.P. in Colts database.
The topstrap of the frame has the O.P.'s flattened contour but not the O.P's serrations, and had the O.P's larger sights, as well as a smooth trigger and cylinder release. Finish on the frame is rougher and varies in polish compared to the cylinder and barrel.
So what this ended up being is one of a relatively unknown batch of about 3000 cleanup guns made 7-8 years after the official end of the Army Special in order to use up a surplus of .32-20 barrels in various lengths. It is generally thought these were an economy gun meant to use up surplus parts, intended for sale to police or government. All that I know of have all been lettered to major distributors and wholesalers.
Serial numbers will be found in the late 580k to early 590k range. When found with a box the box will be a 2 piece box instead of the Army Specials usual clamshell box.
Interestingly there is no official mention anywhere of these guns that I've found in any book, blog, or online publications. All info came from individual collectors on various forums.
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