1.The last patent date is 1905Muddy, nice find.
Two questions, to expand on smkummer's note above:
1. What is the last patent date on the barrel, 1905 or 1926?
2. Is the topstrap rounded (Army Special style) or flattened and serrated (Official Police style)?
That's an interesting theory.I believe this adds fuel to the fire to the discussion about the Official Police being chambered in 41 Colt. While Colt initially advertised the Official Police in 41, I am speculating they probably had a supply of Army Special barrels available for years after the adoption of the Official Police that they simply used for the very few who wanted a 41 until they ran out. It didn't help that a year later after this gun was shipped, the stock market crashed with ensuing depression , followed by a work force strike and then a flood. Events such as those would cause any company to run lean and not waste anything. It would be interesting to see a 41 army special/official police box that was made after 1925/26 to see how it was marked.
I think this may be the most likely explanation. The 1929 Colt Catalog did not listed the .41 Colt as an available chambering for the OP. Not sure about the 1928 catalog.I believe this adds fuel to the fire to the discussion about the Official Police being chambered in 41 Colt. While Colt initially advertised the Official Police in 41, I am speculating they probably had a supply of Army Special barrels available for years after the adoption of the Official Police that they simply used for the very few who wanted a 41 until they ran out. It didn't help that a year later after this gun was shipped, the stock market crashed with ensuing depression , followed by a work force strike and then a flood. Events such as those would cause any company to run lean and not waste anything. It would be interesting to see a 41 army special/official police box that was made after 1925/26 to see how it was marked.