Colt Officers Model Match/Target/Special

sgtmaj13

I've recently seen at least 12 of these in various dealers showcases or at gun shows, both 22's & 38's. They all had one thing in common, the barrels showed much more wear and blue fading than the frames & cylinders on each piece. Was there something about the way Colt finished these models that explains this or are my 60yo eyes as bad as the wife says they are? Thanks for any light you can shed.

SgtMaj13
Semper Fi

JudgeColt

I have not noticed any particular barrel wear pattern on Officers Models, and I have looked at a lot of them. However, that said, it is my opinion that the beautiful satin blue of Colts before the more modern finishes began is not a particularly durable finish. A tight-fitting holster could conceivably cause more wear on the barrel than elsewhere.

Dr. Pig, do we really need more people buying these usually underpriced revolvers? Of course, there are some on the auction site now that the sellers think are worth big bucks and they are either worn, missing original grips, refinished, or all three. Why is it that so many sellers do not understand (or more likely hope an ignorant buyer will not understand) that condition is a geometric progression value issue?

My favorite OMT is a late Pre-War with 7.5-inch barrel. By WWII, all the improvements had been made and the revolver was at its peak. The quality was impeccable. Wow!

On second thought, maybe my favorite OMT is a early one with the high polish blue/black, fire-blued screws and the varnished diamond stocks. No wait, ....

The heavy-barrel OMS is the best shooter. But then, the OMM has the best sights.

Damn, can't decide.

Old hickory

When I graduated from high school in 1969 my dad bought me an Officer's Match in .22 All my freinds got watches. I was pretty lucky - eh? The OM taught me that I was a good pistol shot , but after three years I shot a Woodsman Match and my score the first time equaled my best with the revolver so----o I'm all Woodsman to this day. I still love the brutish beauty of the Officer's Match though.

JustC

Any of you guys know a "real world" value of a OMM in .22, I'd say 98% condition? I have fired it maybe 1 box.

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

JudgeColt

Dr. Pig:

As you may know, the serial numbering on the Officers Model revolvers is very confusing, having been mixed with other revolvers and then not and then again. I would be interested to know your approximate serial number range as I have some articles that deal with these revolvers and I might be able to shed some light on your OMT .38.

JudgeColt

Dr. Pig:

I believe your OMT is one of the ones numbered with the Official Police. I believe it was made in 1950, the last year of the OMT. It should have plastic Coltwood stocks. Correct?

JudgeColt

Dr. Pig:

The stocks you describe sound like either early Python or OMM. Early OMM revolvers had the full-checkered stocks similar to what was used on early Pythons. The only difference is the color of the medallion. The Python medallion is gold, while the OMM medallion is silver. What color is the medallion on your stocks? I think this late OMT revolver would have had service-style plastic Coltwood stocks originally. I may have a set of correct Coltwood stocks that I could trade you for the full-checkered stocks on your revolver. Interested?

As a point of interest, these full-checkered stocks, with silver medallions, were also used on the "357" revolver as an option. My guess is that someone added them to your OMT in the distant past.