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LOT 1277
Desirable Documented Mississippi Sheriff Pre-World War II Shipped Scarce Factory
Nickel Plated Colt Banker’s Special .22 Double Action Revolver with 2 Inch Barrel, Pearl
Grips, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 368533, 22 LR cal., 2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured in 1936, this is a rare example of a Colt Banker’s Special revolver which
is documented as shipped to a county sheriff in Mississippi. These compact revolvers were
designed for and desired by bankers, shop keepers, express mail carriers, and law enforcement for their
concealability, while still offering significant firepower. The .22 LR chambered variant, like this example,
was likely intended more as a deterrent than a lethal option but could still be lethal in a pinch. The included
factory letter confirms the serial number, caliber, barrel length, finish, grips, and June 25, 1936, date of
shipment to “Harrison County, Mississippi Attn: Sh. O.L. Meador Gulfport, Mississippi”. Oscar Lafayette Meador
(1880-1973) was born in New Island, Mississippi, before moving to Gulfport later in life. Prior to being elected
sheriff, he was a salesman for Swift Company in Gulfport and Hattiesburg. He was first elected sheriff in 1933
in a special election due to the death of the previous sheriff, Cleveland Huggins, who Meador had served as
a deputy sheriff for. Meador was again elected in 1936 and served out his term before taking up a position
representing a grocery company out of New Orleans. The right side of the barrel is marked with the two-
line address and patent dates, while the left has the caliber and model marking. There is a Rampant Colt
on the left of the frame and Colt “VP” proof and assembler’s mark on the left of the trigger guard. It is
fitted with a blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a pair of smooth pearl grips.
CONDITION: Extremely fine 97% original nickel finish remains with some light edge wear, surface
scratches, and areas of oxidation and finish loss around the hard edges. Grips are also very fine with
some scratches, a few small chips, and some mild discoloration. Mechanically excellent. .22 Banker’s
Special revolvers are uncommon, factory nickel finished examples even more so, but the combination
of finish, caliber, and factory pearl grips is a true rarity!
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500