Rare 1944 Colt Detective Special Revolver - OSS Issued

Description

7/9/26 - From the Tom Whiteman collection. A COA will be provided. This is a 2" Colt Detective Special revolver from 1944. According to the included Colt Factory Letter, it was shipped to the Office of Strategic Services in the Fowler Building in Rosslyn, VA on May 31, 1944. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the United States’ first centralized intelligence agency, created in 1942 during World War II under the leadership of William J. Donovan. Its mission was to collect and analyze intelligence, conduct espionage, and carry out covert operations behind enemy lines in both Europe and Asia. The OSS pioneered many modern intelligence techniques, including psychological warfare and special operations, and worked closely with resistance groups in Nazi-occupied territories. After the war, the OSS was dissolved in 1945, but its legacy directly led to the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947, shaping the future of American intelligence operations. This particular gun is matching and has retained somewhere between 85-90% of its original high polish bluing. There is general high edge wear, muzzle wear, and an area of finish loss on the butt of the frame where it almost looks like it was lightly ground. There are also small scratches and handling marks here and there. Fitted with period-correct wood grips. Excellent bore with strong rifling, but there are some spots of dried grease.