Make: Colt
Model: Officer's Model Match
Serial Number: 902083
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: Single Action/Double Action with Swing Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 6"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade pinned into a serrated, ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flat topped square notched target sight that is pinned into the top strap, adjustable for windage and elevation. The rear sight and the top of the top strap have a matte finish to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece custom checkered walnut target stocks with a thumb-shelf on the left panel and palm-shelf on the right panel for a right-handed shooter. The grips leave most of the backstrap exposed with a small cutout in the front for the toe of the butt. The grips have some scattered nicks and a few minor scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original. The hammer has been altered, presumably by F. Bob Chow.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some light wear at the leading edges of the barrel and frame. The crane-cut has been polished white and is stamped "CHOW". There are some scattered light nicks and small scratches. The barrel's finish has a slight plum hue. The action shows light operational wear with a thin turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Officer's Model Match revolvers were made specifically for competitive shooters. The hand-honed action of these revolvers helped shooters win many championships, and they are generally known to be one of the finest target revolvers ever manufactured. In addition to its 6" barrel and target sights, this revolver is marked as having been worked on by noted gunsmith Frank Robert "Bob" Chow.
Chow was a fascinating gunsmith who got into shooting in the 1930s while in the Naval Reserve. He set multiple records, competed in the 1948 Olympics for 25 meter rapid fire, and coached several other Olympians. In the 1950s, he established his shop in San Francisco where he built some of the finest custom target pistols in the world, while he wasn't playing in local jazz bands. Chow's name is up there with other contemporary luminaries of gunsmithing like Swenson, Clark, and Hoag. While he is most associated with custom 1911s, this revolver shows that he was equally talented with target revolvers.
Bob's work on this revolver appears to include action work as well as re-profiling the hammer spur and cutting more aggressive checkering. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and the cylinder lockup is as solid as the day it left the factory. Rounding out the customization is a set of checkered walnut target stocks. No Colt revolver collection would ever be complete without a Colt Officer’s Model in each of its variants, and this .38 Special model would be a great addition. Those looking for a high-end target revolver should also be interested in this revolver, especially a Chow custom. Please see our photos and good luck!
