Cased Colt Army Special - First Production Year

Description

3/20/26 - This is a Colt Army Special, a double-action, six-round revolver. They were built from 1908-1927, when the model designation changed, though we now know they continued to be produced into the mid 1930s in limited quantities. The Army Special started as the New Army & New Navy and would evolve into the Official Police in 1927.  It was available in 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths, and they were made in calibers 22LR, .32-20, .38 LC, .38/200, and .41 LC. This particular example features a 6" barrel and is chambered in .38 LC. Serial numbers stamped on both sides of the crane match, dating it to the first production year of 1908. Proper early features including crisply stamped Colt surfboard logo on the left side of the frame. The revolver comes with a beautiful blue-velvet-lined Colt-branded wood display case and a sealed box of original .38 Long Colt ammo (manufactured by Remington). Two sets of grips are included. Mother-of-pearl grips, which are in excellent condition aside from a tiny chip on the back lower corner of the right panel, and excellent original checkered wood grips with silver Colt medallions. The Revolver has retained about 93% of its finish, with thinning along the grip frame extending to the backstrap, some spotty wear on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard and along the barrel, mostly concentrated toward the muzzle. There is also some high edge wear on the frame and cylinder, along with scattered handling marks and a faint turnline on the cylinder. Mechanics are excellent, including timing lockup, and the single and double action triggers function smoothly. Mint bore.