RARE SPECIAL ORDER OFFICERS MODEL TARGET .38 SPEC. 5" BARREL, COLT LETTER, MADE 1927

Description:
VERY RARE SPECIAL ORDER OFFICERS MODEL TARGET .38 SPECIAL WITH 5’ BARREL, #535XXX, FACTORY LETTER, MADE 1927. Standard barrel length for the Officers Model was 6” with some having 7 ½” barrels. A few were special ordered with 4 ½” and 5” barrels both of which are considered very rare. Often these shorter versions were ordered for law enforcement use. The 1986 dated Colt factory letter verifies the 5” barrel, blue finish, specifies “checkered wood” grips, and shows it was shipped to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, Illinois on February 17, 1927, with a total of 5 guns in the shipment. This was a pretty wild, “Roaring Twenties” time in Chicago! Retains nearly all the deep Colt blue with only a slight smudge of wear at each side of the muzzle and the most minor of edge wear on the cylinder. All markings are sharp and clear, checkered back strap and trigger, nice fire blue on the trigger sides and hammer back. Very tight action, bright minty bore, exc. grips show minimal handling (have a large number “30” inside one grip and large “307” in the other which does not look like a factory number- possibly a law enforcement badge or rack number?). Overall, an extremely rare Colt special order variation with an intriguing shipping destination for the time. All in top condition made the year Charles Lindbergh made the first solo trans-Atlantic flight! $1695.
 

Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .38 Special
Manufacturer: COLT
Model: OFFICERS MODEL
Serial Number: 535XXX
Barrel Length: 5
Condition: EXCELLENT
Bore Condition: EXCELLENT

Price: $1,695.00