Colt Officer's Model (revolver)

The Colt Officer's Model is a double-action revolver with a medium frame, produced between 1904 and 1972 and which was mainly focused on sport shooting and of which four variants stand out: Officer's Model Target, Officer's Model Target Rimfire, Officer's Model Special and Officer's Model Match.

Not to be confused with Colt Official Police.
Colt Officer's Model
Colt Officer's Model Match .22 LR
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerColt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company
Produced1904–1972
Variants
  • Officer's Model Target
  • Officer's Model Target Rimfire
  • Officer's Model Special
  • Officer's Model Match
Specifications
Mass1075 g - 1220 g
Length286 mm
Barrel length152 mm
Cartridge
Actiondouble-action
Feed systemsix round cylinder
SightsFixed iron: Blade front, V-notch rear
ReferencesSpecs for 6 inches barrel versions[2]

History and development

The first variant, the Officer's Model Target appeared in 1904 as a Premium model more focused on sport shooting than on common use, it was produced in 7.94 mm (.32) and 9 mm (.38) calibers, with barrels whose lengths ranged from 4 in (101.6 mm) to 7.5 in (190.5 mm), with 6 in (152.4 mm) being the most common. The first weapons were produced with a drum that rotated counterclockwise, however, after the introduction of the Colt Army Special in 1908, the direction of rotation of the drum was reversed.[2][3]

In 1930 the Officer's Model Target Rimfire appeared, which was a .22 LR caliber version of the Model Target and was only produced with a 6-inch barrel. Both versions of the Target were discontinued until 1972.[2][3]

In 1949 the Officer's Model Special was announced, which was only produced chambered for the .22 LR and .38 Special cartridges, which featured an adjustable Coltmaster rear sight. It was replaced in 1953 by the Officer's Model Match, which was produced in the same calibers until 1972, the only difference being that the Special had a Colt “E” frame, while the Match had a “J” frame, in addition, it featured an adjustable Accro rear sight.[2][3][4]

Design

Early versions of the Officer's Model were built with the Colt "E" frame just like its contemporary the Colt Official Police. The units manufactured before the World War II, being "Premium" weapons, received a heat treatment (not chemical) that left them with an intense blue bluing finish.[4]

Revolvers produced before the war used a flanged screw and bolt to hold the barrel in place. When the screw is removed, the flange of the screw pushes up on the drum retaining bolt. Postwar revolvers used a head screw, spring and bolt arrangement. The screw is actually a cap that retains the drum retaining bolt and spring.[4]

References
  1. "Officer's Model". 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  2. Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John (1992) [1978]. Pistols of the world: The definitive illustrated guide to the world's pistols and revolvers (3rd ed.). Northbrook, IL.: DBI Books Inc. pp. 66, 255. ISBN 0-87349-128-9.
  3. Miller, David (2022). The Illustrated Directory of Guns: A Collector's Guide to Over 1500 Military, Sporting and Antique Firearms. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-5107-5657-1.
  4. "Colt Officers Model Target & Match". Tony's Bullseye Blog. 2011. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
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