Make: Colt

Model: Officers Model Target

Serial Number: 457333

Year of Manufacture: 1920

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single/Double Action Swing-Out Cylinder Revolver

Barrel Length: 7 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel, adjustable for elevation. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed to the topstrap, adjustable for windage.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with Colt medallions at their tops. The interior of each grip has "357623" hand-written in pencil. The grips have even light-moderate handling wear. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The wood shows some discoloration from age and handling. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, some worn areas show treatment with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. The butt is worn to white and shows treatment with cold blue. There is cold blue at a notable nick on the top-right of the barrel about 2.5" from the muzzle. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few spots of minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear including a thin turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Officers Model was Colt's premium revolver until the introduction of the super-premium Python in 1955. Back when revolvers were the target gun of choice, Colt models were the target revolver of choice and it’s easy to see why. The lockup on this 106-year-old revolver is simply outstanding, a testament to the craftsmanship of Colt firearms, it is something not often seen even in finer commercial offerings today. This should still make for a fine shooter to this day and would be a neat addition to a Colt or vintage target revolver collection. Please see our photos and good luck!