Colt OM 38

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Gunners,

I was a USMC weapons instructor in the late 50's and when I got out, I'd had enough of guns. Anyway, recently I decided to buy a pistol and since the nicest pistol I'd previously owned was a Colt officer's match target 38 heavy barrel, I found one on the internet and after many questions and pics, bought it.

Yesterday I disassembled and cleaned it. It was surprisingly clean. I don't think it has been fired very much.

I bought a trigger lock and as soon as the pistol safe arrives, I'll take it to the range and sight it in.

My questions: The serial is #68558 which makes it a 1950 gun but all the details (checkered back strap, sights, etc) are prewar. Can I assume it's a postwar model made from prewar parts?

Next: nomenclature. The barrel is stamped: "Officer's model .38"
"Heavy Barrel"

Were the OM "Target" models stamped "Target". Were "Match" stamped "Match"? Or were all the Officer's Model .38's target guns?

Thanks for your help.

Donald McCaig

 

[Old Fuff]

Over the years, Colt's Officers Model series were target versions (meaning adjustable sights and special handwork during final assembly) of the company's standard .38 Special service revolver at any particular time.

To explain everything would take a very long post (which I may get to later, but not right now.)

You are correct in coming to the conclusion that your revolver was made from pre-war parts, and the pictures you posted seem to show that the blue finish was done using a process discontinued in about 1940 or '41.

The heavy barrel was an extra-cost option, inroduced during the late 1930's.

Now for a puzzle. The hammer is one associated with a later Officers Model Match that was introduced in 1953, and later used in various models including the Python. Either the original hammer in your revolver was replaced, or the piece itself was made during or after 1953.

Any way you look at it, you have one of the finest, most accurate production revolvers ever made. The term "production revolver" is a bit misused because each one was hand fitted and assembled by one of the best final assemblers Colt had. Each one was individually shot and targeted before it left the factory, and the test target was included in the box as "proof of performance." Today there is nothing of its kind being made that is its equal.

 

[SaxonPig]

Hmmm... Can't imagine how anyone can "Have enough of guns..." I agree that the OMT/OMM series guns are very classy. I think the HB became available in 1935.

Here are some of mine.

 

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Gunners,

Thanks. Another question: Compressing the main spring during disassembly worried me. It would be very easy to break one of the tangs and lying flat, the spring's not easy to compress. I'd appreciate your tips. Is this the same mainspring as the Police? Who do you recommend as a parts source?

Donald McCaig

 

[rcmodel]

I use a small wooden wedge against the frame and three hands.

Parts are very hard to come by now.
All of the old Colt forged V-springs like yours are gone.
Somebody makes a run of aftermarket bent flat stock springs occasionally, but when I started looking for one last year for a Commando, there were none to be had.


The thing is, now that you got it apart, cleaned, and successfully back together.

Don't do that again!!

It should never need a total disassembly again in your lifetime, unless you break it taking it apart.

rc

 

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Gunners,
Thanks. The machining is so fine it would take a serious dirt/water immersion to open it again.

Who makes the best speedloader for this gun?

Donald McCaig

 

[rcmodel]

Cylinder is the same size as a Pythion.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/412289/hks-revolver-speedloader-colt-python-38-special-357-magnum

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

The thing is, now that you got it apart, cleaned, and successfully back together.

Don't do that again!!


It should never need a total disassembly again in your lifetime, unless you break it taking it apart.

Absolutely!!!!!

Each time you pop the sideplate the perfect fit is degraded. Hopefully you will not break any critical part, because if you do you're in trouble - first in finding a part that fits, and also matches the blue, and second in finding a qualified person to fit it.

Shooting it shouldn't hurt it if you are careful, and if necessary it can be cleaned and luubricated without having to take it apart.

 

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Experts,
In the old days, I never owned a gun I did not disassemble, lubricate and inspect before firing. Kuhnhausen's book made the task fairly simple. Mainspring removal and reinstallation was the only nervous bit. Absent a gunsmith's vice, I didn't tear down the crane/ejector rod, cylinder assembly.

I thank you for your strongly stated advice, and won't disassemble it a second time.

It is a beautiful, ingenious machine and I look forward to shooting it. Like my 1950's Waltham railroad watch, the Colt was built when American manufacture was as excellent as its technological innovation.

Donald McCaig

 

[Old Fuff]

Why shouldn't you disassemble it?

Because when it was made labor costs were not a serious cost factor. So some craftsman carefully hand fitted the sideplate and then it and the frame were polished together so they resulted in a fit so close that sometimes where the two came together you cannot see the joint. However each time the sideplate it removed and reassembled the ever-so-light pressure, combined with a bit of misalignment will start to open a little gap, and the perfect fit will be lost.

Also at the time Colt used a unique method to apply the finish, which was called gas oven blue, and cannot be exactly duplicated today, even at the Colt factory. Shooting should not hurt the finish, but excessive disassembly/assembly can. You should be careful to preserve it, as it makes a noteable increase in the value of the piece.

The day you go up to look at your target and find 4 out of 5 shots are in one ragged hole @ 50 yards you'll understand what it's all about.

Been there / done that.

 

[Donald McCaig]

Thanks for sharing your lucid, courteous expertise.

Donald McCaig

 

[smkummer]

Some thoughts

The wider hammer was first intoduced on the Officers Model Special (1949-52) in late 1951. Hammers don't require much fitting so it would be easy to install a later hammer. The post war officers models were finally stamp Officers Model target but were almost identical to the pre-war models except in finish and stocks. Your gun has most internal parts the same as a python and 2 years ago I had a officers model match refinish by the Colt factory. Currently they are not selling any double action parts but are keeping what they have for firearms being sent in for repair. Your mainspring is the same as the original official police, trooper and python. Jack first is making new hands. I have 4 issues of officers models and these guns do shoot. Have fun with the classic and go easy on the young guns at the range so as you don't discourage them too much with there fancy plastic guns.