Just found this site and love it.I do need some help finding out when this revolver was made.colt army special 38,on bottom of grip is the #7199, the word miruko and looks like brag put in with a punch.Under side grip the #1085. This gun was a gift from a friend.P.S.just my second handgun.I also have RUGER 44 mag 10.5 barrel stainless. THANKS FOR ANY HELP salvisa
colt 38 army special
- Thread starter salvisa
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jacobtowne
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Please list all the stampings on the barrel exactly as they appear, and describe the grips.
JT
JT
dfariswheel
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I don't think you have a Colt Army Special.
The Army Special was an early version of the Official Police, and was made by Colt from 1905 to 1927. Serial numbers started at 291000.
From your post, I believe you have a Japanese Miroku .38 Special revolver.
Miroku makes, or has made rifles and shotguns for Winchester, Browning, Charles Daly, SKB, and others.
They did make small frame .38 revolvers up until 1964. Some of these were imported into the US as the "Liberty Chief".
These guns were basically a loose copy of the S&W Model 36 Chief's Special.
Quality was so-so, but the gun failed to sell due to the odd appearance, and the fact that it had nothing to offer over American made guns.
The Army Special was an early version of the Official Police, and was made by Colt from 1905 to 1927. Serial numbers started at 291000.
From your post, I believe you have a Japanese Miroku .38 Special revolver.
Miroku makes, or has made rifles and shotguns for Winchester, Browning, Charles Daly, SKB, and others.
They did make small frame .38 revolvers up until 1964. Some of these were imported into the US as the "Liberty Chief".
These guns were basically a loose copy of the S&W Model 36 Chief's Special.
Quality was so-so, but the gun failed to sell due to the odd appearance, and the fact that it had nothing to offer over American made guns.
dfariswheel
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- Messages
- 6,657
I was wrong....You DO have a Colt Army Special. Sorry.
Open the cylinder and look for the serial number on the frame, just below the barrel, and on the inside of the crane the cylinder rides on.
With the serial number, we can give you the year it was made.
History-wise, the Army Special was made from 1908 to 1927.
Since the Army didn't buy the gun, in 1927 Colt changed the name to the "Official Police" and that's just what it became...THE official Police revolver for a great many departments.
In later years the same frame and action design was used to make famous guns like the Officer's Models, the old model Trooper, and the Colt Python.
The design has changed so little since, most parts will interchange between a 1908 Army Special and a brand new Colt Python.
The Army Special was available in .32-20, various obsolete .38 caliber cartridges, the .38 Special, and the obsolete .41 Colt.
Barrel lengths were 4", 4 1/2", 5", and 6".
From 1908 to 1923 the factory standard grips were black hard "Gutta Percha" rubber with moulded-in checkering.
From 1923 to end of production in 1927, checkered walnut with silver Colt medallions was standard.
Open the cylinder and look for the serial number on the frame, just below the barrel, and on the inside of the crane the cylinder rides on.
With the serial number, we can give you the year it was made.
History-wise, the Army Special was made from 1908 to 1927.
Since the Army didn't buy the gun, in 1927 Colt changed the name to the "Official Police" and that's just what it became...THE official Police revolver for a great many departments.
In later years the same frame and action design was used to make famous guns like the Officer's Models, the old model Trooper, and the Colt Python.
The design has changed so little since, most parts will interchange between a 1908 Army Special and a brand new Colt Python.
The Army Special was available in .32-20, various obsolete .38 caliber cartridges, the .38 Special, and the obsolete .41 Colt.
Barrel lengths were 4", 4 1/2", 5", and 6".
From 1908 to 1923 the factory standard grips were black hard "Gutta Percha" rubber with moulded-in checkering.
From 1923 to end of production in 1927, checkered walnut with silver Colt medallions was standard.
jacobtowne
Member
The grips on mine are (hard rubber?) and have the name Colt moulded into them.
JT
That's a .38 Special made in 1912, BTW. And it's dirty now because I shot it last weekend.
JT
That's a .38 Special made in 1912, BTW. And it's dirty now because I shot it last weekend.
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