Colt Army Special .38 Special Revolver – 1912 Production, 4.5-Inch Barrel, High-Polish Royal Blue Finish
Produced in 1912, this Colt Army Special chambered in .38 Special represents an early iteration of Colt’s E-frame service revolvers that later evolved into the Official Police line. The less common 4.5-inch barrel, original high-polish blue finish, and hard-rubber service grips add collector appeal, while the Positive Lock hammer-block safety reflects Colt’s emphasis on secure carry for law-enforcement sidearms of the era.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver shows scattered scratches, blemishes, and light pitting in the finish. Barrel is hand tight and requires gunsmith evaluation and proper setting before use.
What’s Included
- Leather holster
This Army Special is built on Colt’s sturdy carbon-steel E-frame and retains much of its original high-polish Royal Blue finish, a finish often praised for its deep, mirror-like appearance when new. The factory half-moon blade front sight and narrow rear sighting groove are unchanged, maintaining the revolver’s period-correct sight picture.
The serial number 3396XX places production in 1912, only three years after the model’s introduction, making it a true pre-World War I example. Early two-piece checkered hard-rubber grips display the Colt logo and show the fit and texture typical of the era.
A less frequently encountered 4.5-inch barrel length offers a balance between the standard 4-inch service profile and the longer 6-inch target variant. Chambered for the versatile .38 Special cartridge, the six-shot fluted cylinder cycles in both double-action and single-action modes.
The Positive Lock hammer-block safety prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pulled, reflecting Colt’s early commitment to safer carry. All major components—frame, barrel, cylinder, and receiver—are fashioned from carbon steel for durability.
Please note: the barrel is currently hand tight and must be evaluated and set by a qualified gunsmith before any firing.