[Colt38]

Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

Is a Colt Officer's Model Special(NIB)a worthwhile Colt revolver, to collect?

Was this revolver, very popular(In it's heyday?)and, do collector's favor this gun today?

Does the OMS, have anywhere near the quality, built into it, as the Colt Python?

Would $650, be too much to spend, for a NIB, OMS(With the cylinder unturned-and, unfired?)?

What are the major Pro's or Con's, with the OMS?

 

[rcwambold]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

Well, with a name like THAT ... Welcome, Mr. .38! I couldn't resist your question. I hope I'm not, "all wet," because the gun I think you speak of is one of my favorites. First, if you are refering to the OMS as comes to my mind, it's a 6", blue, .38 spcl. 2X revolver that's built on the Colt .41 frame, like its sisters, the Officer's Model Match and Official Police. (And later it became the .357, original Trooper and, YES, the Python!) It has a bull barrel and very nice, adjustable target sights, not exactly the same as the OMM. They may have come with a target hammer option, but I just don't know. And I think they should have the full-checkered, no-scallop target stocks with a silver Colt medallion. If you research the files from these pages, sometime last summer one of our cronies bought one and posted a picture. If it matches the above description, I'm very happy for you because I handled one of these once at a dealer and got sidetracked into paying rent or something silly like that and never did buy it. Some one else did, though! I thought the balance was great and the action superb. I THINK these came out in the late '40's, early to mid 50's somewhere between the original Officer's Model Match and second and third production. The 3rd has a Python-like front sight on a ramp. $600 for one, new in the box seems pretty high, but, do you think you could find another one, just as nice, for less? I doubt it! I never have. And this is one gun I've LOOKED for, too! Come to think of it, I think there's a picture of one from not too long ago - a week or two? - on these pages in a thread about photography or something other than the gun itself. I don't know any history about these guns but I'm sure they were made for target shooting. In the 30's - 50's, lots of guys used a .38 wadcutter gun in NRA competition, besides the .45 and .22. In it's day, I think the OP was the premium cop gun and the Colt OMM and OMS were the bullseye guns. (Colt's always been a premium piece over S&W's.) Compared to the Python? You bet! Several of us on these pages have chatted about all the almost-Pythons you can buy for less than the ones actually stamped, "Python." (I think I've named most of them, already.) The action is THE SAME. And since they were all made in by honest-to-gosh Yankees in the Colt Connecticut plant, you just can't do better. Congratulations, Colt .38 ... You've got one of the best!

 

[Colt38]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

Thank you, for the welcome, rcwambold!

Yes, the the gun in question, definately, is like the OMS, that you described! The barrel, is a heavy(Untapered)one. The front sight blade, is very long(1" to 2" approx.). The only exception, is that the grips are not the target style grips! They look to be original-but, are styled more like the earlier, Colt double-action revolvers! I will have to go back, to look at the grips, on this OMS, more closely(As I'm not sure, if they are the Coltwood or are made out of real wood?)? On the end of the box, it reads: "Officer's Model Special". The barrel, is the 6" length. The rear sight is adjustable(The front sight is not)!

Thanks, for your great comments, about the Colt OMS revolver-as I'm getting even more "Enthused" now! And, I do hope, that more Colt "Experts" on this revolver, will chime in, with more information, about this gun?

 

[JudgeColt]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

I have addressed this issue with Colt38 over on the GunBroker message boards.

rcwambold, if the OMS is one of your favorites, you should know that the original stocks are plastic service stocks (the "medallions" are molded into the plastic and are not a separate piece of metal like found on wood stocks), not wood full-checkered stocks as found on the OMM, Python and optional on the "357."

If this OMS is indeed NIB with a perfect box and the target, tools and literature present, it is close to being worth the asking price, maybe only a hundred or so too high, if any at all. However, such a complete package is scarce and will soon be worth that and more. I would inspect it closely to look for signs of use, since it is extremely rare to find a true unfired speciman. (How could you know if it was fired a few times?)

The name sequence of medium-frame Colt target revolvers is as follows: Officers Model, Officers Model Target, Officers Model Special, and Officers Model Match. The OMM was not the first in the series, but the last of the series.

 

[Colt38]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

JudgeColt:

Thanks, for clarifying, several fine points, about the Colt OMS! And, I'm grateful to you, for taking the time, to explain everything, in detail! I did not want to let the OMS, get away, if it was worth the $650 price? Since this price seemed to be high-I did not want to possibly, get "Stuck" with a "Post War" Colt gun, that might not be much in favor, with Colt gun collector's? This would only be in the event, I should want to attempt to sell the OMS, at a future time? If it was a "Python" I probably, would never have such a problem(Since these are popular)!

The OMS, in question, certainly appears to be "Unfired" however, I will take your good advice, and inspect this gun, more carefully, to try to ascertain, whether or not, it has ever been fired?

There is one last thing, that I forgot to ask about? On the very front, of the flat nosed, OMS, heavy barrel, this gun, appeared to be shiny(Bright, like a mirror)and not "Blued"? I will need to recheck this, as my "Memory" isn't as good, as it used to be? However, if this is true, is this the way the OMS, was originally, made by the Colt factory(Or, not)?

I also, thank everyone else, for their input, as well!

 

[256M-S]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

I'm right partial to the OM Special in 22...it has a homeliness with that bull barrel that appeals to me. On the other hand, I see them from time to time (Not boxed as is the one you've seen) and they seem to be a bit hard to move even in 22 which tends to bring a premium.

My OM Special 22 is unblued at the muzzle face. My OM Match 22 is blued. I have heard other folks speak of unblued muzzle faces with OM Matches, but haven't seen one that I remember.

If the weapon is truly mint and with all accesories, it's hard to imagine it not appreciating, though you're paying as has been suggested about a hundred to a hundred fifty YankeeDollars over what I'd want to pay for it. For a pricing guide, you might check the a few of the more current GUNLISTS and cf to the current Fjestad BLUE BOOK.

I've no personal interest in the 38 versions, and as I said, based on sales of the "more desirable 22's," I do believe it's not as easy a weapon to move at a premium as the OMM. On the other hand, gun fanciers are fickle and there must be others who find it an interesting and attractive piece.

I buy what interests me at a price that seems reasonable to me based on how much I want the piece---I'm never that concerned about how it may appreciate for the next generation and, that way, unless I grossly overpay based on an inaccurate reading of condition or what I erred in thinking it was, I never feel bad about the price paid.

------------------
"And the blithe revolver began to sing/ To the blade that twanged on the locking-ring..."

 

[Colt38]

Re: Colt Officer\'s Model Special(Worthwhile Collectible)?

JudgeColt(And/or, anyone?):

I took JudgeColt's advice, and I went back to the Gun Shop, to inspect the Officer's Model Special, closely! Following, is what I found:

1)The OMS, certainly "Appears" to be virtually, "Unfired"(And, there is no cylinder ring, whatsoever)! However, if it has been fired-then, it would have to be only a few additional shots? There is no sign of wear, at all!

2)The stocks on the gun, are the Colt, checkered, Service type, with silver medalians. Not the Coltwood(Plastic stocks)! The serial number of this gun is: 784XXX.

3)The gun box, is serial numbered to the gun(On the bottom, on one end of the box). The box, is near perfect(Due to having one upper, lid corner, that is split, the length of the seam)with no other damage!

4)The original factory target, is in the box, "Unused"(But, there are no tools or literature!).

5)Although the Gun Shop, will not lower the price, from $650-the Dealer, said that he will waive charging any sales tax(Which is 8-1/4% saved!)and, will just charge $20 to register the gun! Based upon this(And the above information)how does everyone feel about the total price being, $670(Out the door)?

6)The finish on the gun, is perfect(Without flaws!).