CAUTION: Contains shameless plug for my website.
Recently I noticed a thread where someone said that they had seen a Round Butt Colt Official Police for sale on my website, www.vivasandson.com. The person posting it asked how common these were, what the story was behind them, etc.
From the responses, it sounded like some folks here had never seen an RB OP before, which struck me as a little surprising, as they are not especially uncommon here in NYC. I see one every couple months or so and have one in my personal collection.
Always eager for a chance to show off and trick people into thinking I know what I’m talking about (and also I have to stay up late tonight to keep an eye on e*ay auctions) i thought I’d shoot some Colt Official Police Round Butt images.
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This image shows three NYCPD issue Colt Official Police Revolvers. They are (t. to b.) # 703274, 853420 and 691685. All three appear in NYCPD records. #703274 is a Colt-No Record Available gun. Obviously what we want to concern ourself with is the RB gun in the middle; #853420.
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From Colt:
Serial Number: 853420
Caliber: .38 Special
Barrel Length: 4”
Finish: Blue
Type of Stocks: Not Listed
Special Features: Round butt configuration
Shipped to: Police Dept., City of New York
Address: 400 Broome Street New York, New York (My note: This was location of Equipment Bureau)
Date of Shipment: September 24, 1959
Colt Factory Order: #9919
Guns in Shipment: 250
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Here we see the difference between the SB and the RB versions of the OP. Once we get the grips off, the changes will be more obvious!
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Comparison to SB OP #703274 and RB OP #853420. An interesting comparison. Particularly the shape of the frame cut-outs and the milled stud versus what appears to be a pressed in stud. Other differences are triggers (checkered vs. grooved), cylinder release (checkered vs. smooth), front sights (half moon vs. modified half-moon/ramp) and barrel markings (both marked OFFICIAL POLICE but in different styles).
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Closeup of the butt of RB OP #853420. Note the interesting manner in which the stud (left lower) seems to have been done.
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Worn, but servicable, grips from the guns.
Anyway, thats my personally owned Colt Official Police (Round Butt). Perhaps I need to think about re-pricing any future ones that come in
![]()
Best,
RM Vivas www.vivasandson.com
Recently I noticed a thread where someone said that they had seen a Round Butt Colt Official Police for sale on my website, www.vivasandson.com. The person posting it asked how common these were, what the story was behind them, etc.
From the responses, it sounded like some folks here had never seen an RB OP before, which struck me as a little surprising, as they are not especially uncommon here in NYC. I see one every couple months or so and have one in my personal collection.
Always eager for a chance to show off and trick people into thinking I know what I’m talking about (and also I have to stay up late tonight to keep an eye on e*ay auctions) i thought I’d shoot some Colt Official Police Round Butt images.
-----------------------------------------------
This image shows three NYCPD issue Colt Official Police Revolvers. They are (t. to b.) # 703274, 853420 and 691685. All three appear in NYCPD records. #703274 is a Colt-No Record Available gun. Obviously what we want to concern ourself with is the RB gun in the middle; #853420.
-----------------------------------------------
From Colt:
Serial Number: 853420
Caliber: .38 Special
Barrel Length: 4”
Finish: Blue
Type of Stocks: Not Listed
Special Features: Round butt configuration
Shipped to: Police Dept., City of New York
Address: 400 Broome Street New York, New York (My note: This was location of Equipment Bureau)
Date of Shipment: September 24, 1959
Colt Factory Order: #9919
Guns in Shipment: 250
-----------------------------------------------
Here we see the difference between the SB and the RB versions of the OP. Once we get the grips off, the changes will be more obvious!
-----------------------------------------------
Comparison to SB OP #703274 and RB OP #853420. An interesting comparison. Particularly the shape of the frame cut-outs and the milled stud versus what appears to be a pressed in stud. Other differences are triggers (checkered vs. grooved), cylinder release (checkered vs. smooth), front sights (half moon vs. modified half-moon/ramp) and barrel markings (both marked OFFICIAL POLICE but in different styles).
-----------------------------------------------
Closeup of the butt of RB OP #853420. Note the interesting manner in which the stud (left lower) seems to have been done.
-----------------------------------------------
Worn, but servicable, grips from the guns.
Anyway, thats my personally owned Colt Official Police (Round Butt). Perhaps I need to think about re-pricing any future ones that come in
Best,
RM Vivas www.vivasandson.com
