Colt Army Special 38 questions

[iowacheese]

Hello,

Brand new to the forum. Police Officer in Iowa. My Father recently passed away and left me his Colt Army Special 38 revolver. Sadly he passed quickly and I never new the whole story on the gun.

Curious if anyone could give me an idea what it might be worth (it is priceless to me) but just curious.

My Dad carried this weapon in the 1960's walking the beat in small town Iowa.

I would love to know more about how old it is etc.

Found the serial number 604184

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[rcmodel]

According to my book:
The Army Special was made between 1908 and 1927.

Your 604XXX serial # would date to 1937-38 though, or 10 years after they had a name change to the Official Police model in 1927. It could have been re-barreled with an older Army Special barrel at some point, or just an anomaly in the numbering??
I don't know.

Value depends almost entirely on condition. It could range from $200 for an average cop gun, to $500+ or more for a really good one I would think.

Perhaps Old Fuff or someone with more Colt knowledge then I will be along shortly and straighten us out!

rc

 

[iowacheese]

ok thank you

 

[Oyeboten]

Images of the Revolver?


Close ups of the Barrel info would be good also.

 

[Old Fuff]

Rcmodel is correct in that the serial number dates to 1937, where the Army Special was supposed to have discontinued (by that name only) in 1927 at around serial numbers 540,000 to 513,000.

The only difference in the Army Special and later Official Police was the name stamped on the barrel. Several possibilities come to mind:

1. Be sure you didn't misread the serial number.

2. Sometime in 1937 Colt discovered a left-over stock of Army Special barrels, and decided to use them up. Throughout Colt's long history we find handguns that were made later but contain some earlier parts. The same can be said of Smith & Wesson.

3. For whatever reason, someone rebarreled a 1937 era Official Police with an Army Special barrel. There is no reason this wouldn't work, and the result if the work was done well would be a perfectly satisfactory revolver.

You could find out from Colt, as the shipping records would show under what name serial number 604,184 was shipped, on what day, and to what distributor or dealer (or whoever), but last I knew they were charging $100 for a historical letter. I find that to be a bit much, but to each their own...

 

[iowacheese]

 

[Lucky Derby]

Sorry for the loss of your father.

I have nothing to add other than that is a very nice gun. I have a similar 1950 production Official Police. I shot it just yesterday and even though I have shot it a lot, it still impresses me.

 

[788Ham]

Sorry about your Fathers passing.

I don't have any revolvers that old that my Pop left me, but do have his old Savage. .300 '99, still a shooter! Thanks for sharing, hope you find the info your needing.

 

[Big Bill]

Wow Iowa!! That's a real beautiful family heirloom. Sorry to hear about your Dad. I guess we should all sit down with our loved ones and get some details of their lives before it’s too late. Thanks for your post.

 

[iowacheese]

Thank you all for the kind thoughts. I like this place already.

I posted this on a forum I frequent. Give a little insight about myself this way.

Laid my Father to rest Tuesday.

Two of my nephews and one of my nieces sang at the ceremony and it was the most amazing and inspirational things I have ever been apart of.

When they all sang "Wind beneath my wings" I could not hold it together.

When I was younger I hated growing up in a small town. Boring, everyone knew your business. These days I totally appreciate what a small town is, and people "knowing your business".

Hundreds turned out to pay respects for Dad. And one of the most memorable thing for me was seeing 15 of his Legion buddies all nicely, sharply dressed in there Legion uniforms come to visitation, pay respects and serve as our honored guests and pallbearers.

Taps, and the 21 gun salute is something I know my Father would be most proud of. He was part of what I think Tom Brokaw coined "Our Greatest Generation".

He served aboard an aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict and later spent another 10 years as a reservist.

My Dad, Mom and Grandparents taught me all that is good about me.

I know see some of the same wonderful traits of my Father in my children.

I still cannot believe he is gone and I miss him dearly. I also feel so bad for my mother.

She is a vibrant, healthy and strong "young" 73 years now. She has hardly had a sick day in her life. And if she did she would not tell you.

My words of wisdom are few but if I can offer anything.

If you have any BS in your family with your parents, or siblings clear it up now. And enjoy and cherish each other. I have an even greater love and respect for all my family having spent the past four days laughing and crying harder than I ever have.

 

[Rotsend]

I pray for your Dad, your Mom, You and your family and the Police Officers the world over.

 

[iowacheese]

thank you...very kind of you