COLT Officers Model Target

[italiansport]

I recently acquired this Officers Model Target that was made in 1950. The gun is in 99%+ condition but it has an unusual feature which is a wide spur target hammer. A verbal inquiry to COLT resulted in "If it's factory it would have been special order". Has anyone on the forum ever seen another Target model with this hammer configuration?
Jim

 

[jimmyj]

The revolver could have been dropped on a hard surface which could be the result of the hammer spur being bent.

 

[Jingles]

The hammer looks more like an Officer Model Match to me, but they didn't come out until 1953.

 

[italiansport]

Thanks Jingles I have been wondering the same thing.
Jim

 

[DWalt]

You may have an Officer's Model Special which appeared after the OMT was discontinued in 1949. But I don't think it had a target hammer either. The OMM came out in 1953 and did have a target-type hammer spur. I have an OMT from 1936 with a non-target (service) hammer, and an OMM from 1956 which does have a target hammer with a flanked spur.

 

[glenwolde]

I've never seen one on that model. Of course somebody could have retrofitted a later hammer? Would they have been backwards compatible? May be a Colt hammer, but not original to the gun.

Are you going to shoot that?

 

[DWalt]

A replacement hammer is possible. I have swapped Colt hammers of the same type with no problems.

 

[clang444]

Are you sure of the manufacture date? If I remember correctly there is something funky about the serial numbers of OMT/OMM that proofhouse might not have correct.

 

[moosedog]

Any one have an old "King" catalog? Possibly an after market addition?
Wide spur hammers were very popular in the post war years up into the early 70s.
By the way, nice revolver. I'll bet its a real shooter.

 

[glenwolde]

Any one have an old "King" catalog? Possibly an after market addition?
Wide spur hammers were very popular in the post war years up into the early 70s.
By the way, nice revolver. I'll bet its a real shooter.

It's possible they made a "normal" target hammer. I'm not aware of any. At the time I would think anybody going to the trouble of swapping out a hammer would go with the uber-cool offset hammer, as it was de rigueur at the time.

Wide target hammers are still popular...at least with me. I love those 1/2" wide target triggers too.

 

[italiansport]

Thanks for all the responses:
I have checked and double checked the serial number and it comes up 1950. The barrel is clearly marked Officers Model Target. I suspect the hammer is a retrofitted one from an OMM. What affect would this have on value in your opinion?
Jim

 

[DWalt]

"Are you sure of the manufacture date? If I remember correctly there is something funky about the serial numbers of OMT/OMM that proofhouse might not have correct. "

The Colt OMM is serial numbered along with the early Trooper. Many are not aware of that. I don't think the OMT is. The starting SN of the OMM/Trooper is 900351 (1953). It's a confusing system.