To put this revolver into perspective...
During the Great Depression (1929-1940) both Colt and Smith & Wesson soon found themselves in dire straits and facing bankruptcy. Therefore they lavished hand craftsmanship on each revolver or pistol, but in particular on target guns. They knew that target shooters were an elite that often influenced others in their choice of manufacturer when they were buying a handgun. Therefore both companies took a “no compromise” attitude toward quality control. So far as could be, nothing less then perfect was acceptable, and company inspectors watched carefully to catch slip-ups. All guns were test fired, but target ones, were targeted as well, and the target was included in the box as proof of performance. I would estimate that any manufacturer that matched this today would have a MSRP of around $2,000.00 and quite possibly more.
Recently, at my suggestion, a friend bid on a Colt Officers Model .38, which it turns out was made the same year he was born – 1933. It was in perfect mechanical shape, and had about 97% of original “gas oven” blue. The checkered (and individually fitted) stocks were almost perfect and made of dark, dense-grain walnut. When the trigger was pulled in single-action there was no further movement after the hammer was released, and the cocking motion was velvet smooth even though the action was bone dry. Of course the lock-up was like a bank vault door. I could not find any cosmetic flaws whatsoever.
It had gone through one 13-day stint on an Internet auction at $450.00 and received no bids. It was listed again at $400.00 and only got one bid – the one my friend made.
Needless to say my friend is a very happy camper.
