Colt .22 Police Special???

[Rich Cape Cod]

I ask for forgiveness up front. A buddy of mine, who lives 2,800 miles away, is asking me about a handgun he has come upon. I've asked him for additional info (and a photo). Until then, this is what I know:

"Colt .22 Police Special, serial #2215"

Not sure which model he is talking about, but whatever model it is, that serial number would make it a first year issue.

Any thoughts. I promise to add data as I get it.

Rich

[skilled]

Are you sure its not a Police Positive Target? If so yes that would be year 1.

[Colt75]

Just guessing that it is an Offical Police in .22 LR? If so the serial number would make it an early 2nd year gun according to the chart I am looking at. That would give it a DOB of 1931.

[Rich Cape Cod]

My friend has emailed me that the gun is a "Police Special with 6" barrel." He further went on to write:

"The box it was stored in has a receipt for parts, from Colt, showing the same serial number, dated 1951."

Colt collecting is not my strong suit. None the less, that serial number seems awfully low for a 1951 manufacture revolver.

He does promise to send me a photo, which I'll share with everyone when it gets to me.

Rich

[Rich Cape Cod]

OK, here's some pictures from my friend. Gun is an Official Police. That serial number would still be first year of production, correct?? Edit:according to the serial number this gun came out in it's 2nd year of production, 1931.

[Colt75]

Yes. I think 2155 would make it a late 1930 DOB which is the first year for OPs in .22. According to the chart I am looking at 2200 was the first serial number in 1931.

[thecoltguy]

The gun has the wrong grips. It should have the pre war wood grips. Th Colt wood grips (plastic) were offered after the war.

[JudgeColt]

How your friend could miss the clear references to "Official Police" on the invoice and on the gun and refer to the gun as a "Police Special" is puzzling.

Anybody know what a "Fray Mershon Grip" (!) is as referenced on the invoice?

[skilled]

How your friend could miss the clear references to "Official Police" on the invoice and on the gun and refer to the gun as a "Police Special" is puzzling.

Anybody know what a "Fray Mershon Grip" (!) is as referenced on the invoice?

maybe this:
Fray - Mershon "Sure Grip" Adapter #9 S&W? Colt? : Pistol Grips at GunBroker.com

[JudgeColt]

By Jove, I think he's got it! That term seemed vaguely familiar, but I could not make my weak mind produce anything more. One wonders why anyone would send a firearm for repair and not remove such an accessory.

I suspect the Commando-style stocks were installed by the owner on the gun to "update" it. I believe that Colt sold such stocks Post-War as replacements. Plastic was so new then that to many, it probably seemed "with it," especially with new Colts being shipped with plastic stocks.