This Old Gun: Colt Official Police Revolver

by
posted on June 26, 2020
American Rifleman TV is detailing the history behind Colt’s Official Police revolver in this latest “I Have This Old Gun” segment shown on Outdoor Channel. Watch the above video for details.

Title screen for "I Have This Old Gun" Colt Official Police

It was in 1836 that Samuel Colt was issued a U.S. patent to build his firearm design and factory, paving the way of the legacy brand for more than a century. Among the myriad military contracts and legacy designs produced by Colt throughout the years, the Official Police model came at a time of transition. The U.S. military adopted the semi-automatic M1911 pistol and Colt shifted focus of its revolver sales toward police contracts.

Left side of Colt revolver cutway image with text calling out parts.

Colt’s Official Police revolver was an improvement on the Army Special model and featured a medium-size frame with double-action lockwork. The gun’s swing-out cylinder was initially chambered the .38 Spl. cartridge and .41 Long Colt, but would handle heavier loads brought to market by Smith & Wesson. The cylinder featured an unshrouded ejector rod and chambered six founds.

Close-up view of Colt revolver cylinder.

The Official Police can be broken into two issues, pre- and post-war production cycles. Mechanically, the gun’s remained virtually unchanged throughout the years. First issue and second issue Colt Official Police models came from the Colt Hartford, Conn., factory hand finished with rich bluing.

Vintage catalog art with revolver.

Myriad options left the factory throughout its production cycle, models available with barrel lengths of 2”, 4”, 5” and 6” were available and Target variants with adjustable sights made their way to Camp Perry. Round- and square-butt variants were made as well. Colt discontinued its Official Police design in 1969.

Man wearing protective gear while shooting a revolver with fire blast coming from the muzzle.

Watch our American Rifleman Television “I Have This Old Gun” segment above to learn more the Official Police revolver from Colt.

Latest

Military Armament MAC DS pistol right-side view black gun on pebbles.
Military Armament MAC DS pistol right-side view black gun on pebbles.

Military Armament Corporation Introduces New MAC 9 DS Models

Military Armament Corporation expanded its line of M1911-style, double-stack handguns with its new Double-Stack Duty, D-Comp and Comp designs.

Preview: MTM Case-Gard Ruger 10/22 Extended Mag Can

Made in the U.S.A., the O-ring-sealed Mag Can from MTM Case-Gard stows one of the most important parts of the semi-automatic carbine—the magazine—twelve BX-25-pattern extended magazines, to be exact.

Gun Of The Week: EAA Witness2311 Brat

Built on M1911 principles and imported by European American Armory Corp., the EAA Girsan Witnesss2311 Brat is a unique take on the double-stack, 2011-style pistol.

The Armed Citizen® March 28, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

John C. Garand: His Compensation & Other Accomplishments

Much gratitude has been, and is given, to the man who created the M1 Garand. But folklore suggests John C. Garand did all the work for free. Let us dispel that notion.

John Rigby & Co. Celebrates 250th Anniversary

John Rigby—born in 1758—founded his famed gunmaking firm, John Rigby & Co., in 1775, and year 2025 marks the company's semiquincentennial celebration.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.