Here's my gun. I believe these are the same pictures as in the original thread. There were some great posts by our members in the original one.
I intended to start a thread about this gun sometime in the future. I'm at a research impasse, but I am still trying to run down some inquiries. One of my friends who is very well versed in military Colts feels all the guns (shipments to Wash DC, Cincinnatti, Atlanta, & Chicago) were intended for the RMS Postal Dept. He knows a lot more than I will ever know but I am sceptical. There are no Colt factory done RMS, govt. inspector, and inventory stamps on my gun. Aside from the front sight modification, the gun is in almost new condition mechanically and cosmetically. The overwhelming majority of RMS guns were chambered for .38 New Police. I know that the Postal Dept. bought some 38 Specials for the RMS, but I contend that most RMS marked 38 Specials were post WWII purchases. RMS guns were generally stamped as such or show signs of inventory and agency markings removed, as well. This gun has no such RMS markings and has a pristine butt and back grip strap area with pre war Colt finish.
So then, what govt. agency would want approx. 1800-2000 2" DSs in 1931? I think it's possible these firearms orders were for Prohibition Bureau agents (aka "Prohies").
They weren't for the FBI, as they were not legally empowered to issue guns or have arrest powers until NFA 1934 was passed into law. I seriously doubt even J Edgar would misdirect budget funds to make an an agency-wide illegal firearms purchase. We know local SACs and agents bought their own guns locally and used local law enforcement for arrest powers prior to 1934.
I doubt most federal agencies wanted 2 inch barrel revolvers during this era. Secret service uniform duty? Probably wanted 4-6 inch guns. Perhaps even their plainclothes details, too. Most agencies simply didn't have enough personnel to need a fairly large number of these short barreled revolvers. I am leaning toward Prohibition agents as they were in every city, and carried firearms.
***Basil, if you read this could you tell me specificially if the Volstead Act spells out enforcement and rights to issue firearms to Prohibition Agents? They were attached to the Treasury Dept, first, then the Bureau of Investigation under the Dept. of Justice. (Hoover didn't want responsibility for Prohibition enforcement due to the large number of corrupted agents and the startling number of innocent civilians that got caught in their gun play).
I cannot find this information and I know you are an attorney and a gun collector, thanks.
And because of the largish volume of guns ordered and the limited number of federal agencies that might need that many of them, my friend's RMS theory is still in play, even without the markings. I seriously doubt this riddle will ever be solved but it's fun trying to.
The rub with my theory is that major cities had federal buildings that housed numerous agencies, just like today. The 4 govt. orders were merely addressed to the US Govt. and the city sent to - no bureau agency or dept. and no street addresses. The guns in shipment to each city could well have been for multiple agencies housed in the federal building.
The pictures are better than I can do but they really don't show how pristine this gun is excepting the front sight modification Whatever govt. individual got this gun, it must have been a boss or manager that snagged it, as there is no high edge wear anyplace. This gun was not carried. I think he appropriated or was issued the gun, where it promptly stayed locked in his desk, file cabinet, or safe until he left. It was obviously well maintained over time and some owner evidently intended to use it, hence the chopped up front sight. For whatever reason, the gun was rarely handled or shot.
If any of you know if any aftermarket sight manufacturers sold a clamp-on front sights for pre war DSs which required a couple of notches on the sight, please sound off. Maybe I can start looking for one.
If it wasn't a commercially ordered sight enhancement, it was a very well done private job. The macro pictures of the sight notches make the cuts look crude. In reality, they were very professionally done.
Photos courtesy of H.C.