1892 Colt series Officer Model?

[Dusty Tagalon]

I picked up a "COLT OFFICERS MODEL  COLT DA 38".  Flat top with adjustable sights. Back strap & trigger are checkered. Can't find any documentation that mentions an officers model. SN is slightly over of the end of the 1892 series, 291000.

I do have one book showing the Colt Officers Model Target, (1st issue). Drawing doesn't have the double cylinder stops & L shaped cylinder catch of the 1892.

Prototype for 1st Issue? Early 1st Issue?

Dusty

[St. George]

In 'The Book of Colt Firearms' - by Sutherland and Wilson - in the chapter titled 'The Officers model Revolvers' - you'll find that the 'Colt Officer's Model Colt D.A. .38' came about in 1906 - 1908.

It was serial numbered in sequence with the 'New Model Army and Navy', the 'Army Special' and then with the 'Official Police' - well after the Old West era had concluded.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dusty Tagalon]

I fully understand that the 1st Issue Officers was manufactured from 1904-1908, but that wasn't based upon the 1892 series. This is defiantly a variant based upon the 1892 series.

Brian Bauer

[Advertising]

[Mossyrock]

I would have to wonder if someone got creative and screwed an Officer's Model barrel into an 1892 frame.....  Stranger things have happened.

[St. George]

Here's a quote from the chapter's beginning:

"The Officer's model category of revolvers represents one of the most involved and perplexing categories in the entire Colt field.
Although not made in a wide variety of calibers or barrel lengths, the myriad of other variant details makes one wonder how the company itself was able to keep their records straight."

Your barrel marking is what I used for dating the time frame of production.

The 'Officer's Model' first saw light of day in 1905, with serial number beginning in the 241000 range, with the 'Army Special' starting in about 1908 within the 291000 range. (information from the chapter titled - 'The Models 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901 and 1903 New Army and Navy Revolvers')

There is no mention of a 'prototype' or 'variant' - they share the same frame configuration, and it's long been well known that Colt used 'everything' in the Parts Department when at all possible, to avoid waste and needless cost.

In 1930, the designation was 'Officer's Model Target'.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dusty Tagalon]

It is more then screwing the Officers Model onto a 1892 frame, the frame is flattop with adjustable sights.

I found a website with some pictures.

http://www.megapathdsl.net/~dvivas/2002-126x02.jpg
http://www.megapathdsl.net/~dvivas/2002-126x05.jpg

Dusty

[Lone Gunman]

This doesn't really answer your question but it has a little more info:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15336

the poster COLTDAGUY is Robert Best, author of the book mentioned in the May/June '08 issue of The Shootist. Should have bought that book back then, they've more than doubled in price since.