Make: Colt

Model: Army Special

Serial Number: 304173

Year of Manufacture: Colt's serial lookup indicates production in 1908. The revolver shipped August 1, 1912.

Caliber: .41 Colt

Action Type: Single Action and Double Action Swing Out Cylinder Revolver

Barrel Length: 4 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch integral to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The right panel has a chip-loss at the bottom-front corner, across the indexing stud hole. The grips otherwise show even handling wear. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There are scattered spots of light erosion and minor pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 35% of its metal finish. Strongest finish is protected areas or around raised features. There is some other scattered remaining finish with most exposed surfaces gone to a light patina. The grip areas are worn to white. There is some minor surface oxidation. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear including a turn-line on the cylinder. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good-plus condition.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Colt Archives letter indicating that this revolver was produced in its current configuration, factory engraved, and shipped August 1, 1912 to Norvell Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri as one of 10 guns of the same type in the shipment.

Our Assessment: The Colt Army Special was brought out in 1908, the same year this particular example was manufactured, and debuted Colt's "positive lock" which continued to be used in Colt revolvers all the way into the Serpents! The “Army Special” was later renamed the “Official Police” after Colt discovered that the Army was more interested in their semi-automatic offerings but the various police departments around the country still liked revolvers.

This early Army Special is chambered in .41 Colt with a 4 1/2" barrel and is factory engraved. This may explain why the revolver stuck around at Colt until 1912 when it was shipped to St. Louis. Shapleigh Hardware had a number of orders for multiple factory engraved Army Special revolvers from 1911-1913 and may have been helping Colt push out engraved revolvers that had been sitting in inventory. This revolver is in Good-plus condition, showing its age, but retaining strong mechanics. This would be a neat addition to a Colt revolver collection with its "been there, done that" appearance, but would also be suitable for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!