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LOT 1262
Documented Denver Shipped Factory Engraved Colt
Officer’s Model Target Double Action Revolver with
Factory Ivory Grips and Factory Letter - Serial no. 525447,
38 Special cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, ivory grips.
Manufactured c. late 1925 to early 1926, this is a rare and highly
desirable example of a factory engraved Colt Officer’s Model
Target revolver. The included factory letter lists this revolver
in .38 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, ivory grips, and
factory engraved when shipped to Tritch Hardware Co. in
Denver, Colorado on 19 January 1926, as a single gun shipment.
According to “The Book of Colt Firearms” by Sutherland and
Wilson, only 180 of these revolver are listed as being factory
engraved, making this a highly desirable collectors piece. The
engraving encompasses approximately half of the surfaces
with attractive floral scroll engraving on a matted background,
which is almost certainly the work of Colt factory Master
Engraver Wilbur Glahn. The top of the barrel is marked with the
standard two-line address and patent dates, while the model
and caliber marking are on the left surrounded by scrollwork.
The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame in an oval,
nestled amongst the scroll. The trigger and backstrap are finely
checkered. It is fitted with an adjustable blade front sight, an
adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of very attractive, factory,
smooth ivory grips with Colt medallions at the tops.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original
blue finish with some mild handling and holster type wear, a
cylinder turn line, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are
very fine, with some hairline age lines, mostly on the butts,
some light handling marks, and an attractively aged tone.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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