1939 Colt Official Police - Western State Penitentiary

Description

10/20/25 - This is a very nice example of a Colt Official Police Revolver, manufactured in 1939. It was issued to a guard at the Western State Penitentiary in Pittsburg, as evidenced by the "Western State Penitentiary 150" inscription on the right side of the frame. The Western State Penitentiary in Pittsburgh, originally founded in 1818 and opened in 1826, was one of America’s earliest major prisons and even held Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. In 1882, it moved to a massive Romanesque-style facility along the Ohio River, which operated for more than a century. The prison saw several major riots and evolving correctional reforms before transitioning to medium security and ultimately closing in 2017. Once a symbol of 19th-century penal innovation, the site is now slated for demolition and redevelopment. This gun is all matching and has retained about 90-92% of its original high polish bluing. There is very minor high edge wear and thinning on the grip straps. Fitted with excellent checkered wood grips. The bore is like-new.