1927 Colt Police Positive Target Second Issue .22 LR Revolver – 6" Barrel, High-Polish Blue, Original Box
Manufactured in 1927, this Colt Police Positive Target Second Issue is one of fewer than 2,000 rimfire examples built that year. It retains its scarce two-piece factory box with ‘Special Target (Patridge Sights)’ over-label, a rarity that sharply elevates collector appeal. The revolver’s high-polish blue finish, smooth ultra-short double-action lock-work, and fully adjustable target sights make it a standout small-frame Colt that bridges pre-war craftsmanship with true target utility.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light scratching and blemishing are present, and the original box shows wear but remains intact—remarkable for almost 100-year-old cardboard.
What’s Included
- Original Colt two-piece cardboard factory box with ‘Special Target (Partridge Sights)’ over-label
- Colt factory target/brochure leaflet
Made in Hartford during the interwar years, this revolver showcases Colt’s renowned pre-war hand-polish bluing, a finish noted for its deep luster and even tone. The high-polish blue on the frame, barrel, and cylinder remains vivid and consistent, underscoring the care given to its preservation.
The 6" round, tapered barrel carries a pinned Patridge blade front sight, matched to a micrometer-click rear sight set into the topstrap. Together they deliver a clear, repeatable sight picture that made the Police Positive Target a favored rimfire trainer alongside the larger Officers Model.
Colt’s positive-lock safety system blocks the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled, and the clockwise-rotating cylinder is a signature design element. The ultra-short double-action lock-work earned praise for its smoothness, giving target shooters a fast, consistent pull in both single- and double-action modes.
Checkered walnut stocks with nickel-silver Rampant Colt medallions remain crisp, providing secure purchase without compromising period authenticity. Weighing in as a full-size small-frame revolver, it offers excellent balance while keeping recoil mild in .22 LR.
Surviving nearly a century with its original, correctly labeled box, this Police Positive Target delivers uncommon completeness and condition—traits that place it among the more desirable pre-war rimfire Colts.