1932 Colt Officers model 38 special

[Toyman]

I found this at a local gun show today.
Serial number in 578000 range showing 1932 vintage.
ROPER front and rear sights, SANDERSON thumb rest grips with #12 inside the grip, trigger heavily serrated and hammer modified as a COCKEYED but done for a left handed shooter with extension to the right side.

 

[gunnails]

Are all the special features you pointed out non factory?
Nice gun.

 

[Jebus35745]

Very nice catch, I'm jealous. Larry

 

[DWalt]

I can't tell from your pictures, but if it is a King Cockeyed hammer, it will have a King stamp on the LH side. If so, the trigger may also be from King. I don't know if/how they marked King triggers. Some gunsmiths made their own versions of Cockeyed hammers by welding the hammer spur. You have a very desirable OMT.

 

[moosedog]

Nice catch Toyman. I'd love to find one with those add on features.
I have a few pre war OM revolvers and was wondering about your serial number reference. I just picked up a OM in 22 with a four digit number that shows 1930.
I was looking at Proofhouse (Serial Number Data) under Officers
Model and the 1932 range is 6700. The 1950 range is 57200-57320 and the chart doesn't get to a six digit. Is my reference material is wrong?

 

[DWalt]

I have a .38 Special OMT, SN 600xxx, made in 1936. .38 Special OMTs were SNed in the Official Police series. 578xxx would indeed be from around 1932.

 

[Toyman]

I don't think that the work was done by Colt factory. When I have time I will take it apart and look for any marks on hammer and triggers to figure out who did the work. The trigger has been widened along with serrated and a very nice job.
I don't know how much modifications that ROPER did other than the sights ?

 

[Toyman]

As I understand pre war Colt serial numbers the Officers Models were in the same serial number range as the Official Police models.
I use R.L. Wilson's pocket book for serial number mfg. dates.

 

[moosedog]

I'm pretty sure that the Officers Model has it's own serial number range as posted on Proofhouse and the Colt Pocket Guide.

 

[DWalt]

To avoid further confusion on Colt serial numbers:
Prior to 1949, .38 caliber Officers Model target revolvers were serial numbered with the base model of the day; that is, the New Army/Navy, Army Special and Official Police. From 1949 through 1952, the .38 caliber Officers Model Specials were numbered in a uniquely assigned range identified as Officers Model Special in the Proofhouse charts. Starting in 1953, the .38 caliber Officers Model Match (OMM) was serial numbered with the Troopers.

In short, the .38 Special Colt Officers Model Target, third issue (OMT, the subject here) was serial numbered in the Colt Official Police series from 1927 to 1949. The .22 OMT is numbered in a different series. There were some OMTs made in .32 S&W Long (Colt New Police) during the pre-WWII period, but not many. I have no idea how they were serial numbered.

 

[moosedog]

I have one of the Colt Officers Model Target in 32, serial # 640608 which Colt says was shipped in 1939 so they must be with the 38 OM too.
So the 22's were a separate serial numbering than the 32's and 38's. Got it.
You just can't beat the quality and workmanship on those pre war guns.
Let us know how she shoots Toyman.

 

[Toyman]

I pulled the side plate and found a lot of dried lube. Sprayed with carburetor clean then relubed.
I could not find any markings on either the hammer or trigger.

 

[DWalt]

"...the .38 caliber Officers Model Match (OMM) was serial numbered with the Troopers"

I have a .38 OMT (1953-69) and a Trooper (1953-69) and their SNs are only a few thousand apart. It was somewhat confusing to me when I first got the OMT as I thought at that time it should have been numbered with the postwar OP (1947-69), but it wasn't even close. A little research provided the answer that the OMT and the Trooper were in the same series. There is actually very little physical difference between the two.

 

[turnerriver]

Toyman, you're full of surprises. That doesn't look anything like a Heavy Duty.
This .32 Officers Model received the same treatment yours did-Roper front sight, Sanderson grips and a new hammer. You'll enjoy shooting that Colt.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[Watchdog]

That's a beautiful old gun.

I especially like that checkered trigger. Makes me think of having that done to one of my guns.

 

[digi-shots]

Toyman, very nice looking Colt!

Here's one I have that also includes some of the "Roper add-ons".

 

[paplinker]

I have a king sighted OM ,but the hammer was done I believe by a unknown company.

This hammer i have seen on a bunch of Colts and Smiths but have yet to get a lead on who did them.