Colt Bankers Special .38 S&W DA/SA Revolver, 2-Inch Barrel, Bright Metal Finish, Late 1920s Production
This Colt Bankers Special stands out as a compact, late 1920s D-frame revolver with its factory 2-inch barrel, early square-butt grip frame, and bright metal finish. It is correctly chambered for .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W). Notable, non-factory touches include a buttstrap engraving reading "No. 15971" and smooth pearl-like grips without Colt medallions. Markings include the Colt prancing pony on the left frame and an inspection/assembly mark "O."
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces show widespread micro scratches and noticeable finish loss consistent with regular holster carry and handling. The grips are discolored from age, oils, and normal use, and the right panel has a visible gouge. These cosmetic signs reflect typical carry wear, and the revolver remains solid overall with no major functional issues noted.
What’s Included
- Colt Bankers Special .38 S&W revolver (2-inch barrel)
- Aftermarket pearl-like grips (installed)
Factory markings identify this revolver as a Bankers Special built on Colt’s small Police Positive (D-frame) platform. The 2-inch barrel, six-shot cylinder, and early square-butt grip frame define the compact profile prized among Colt snub-nose enthusiasts from this era.
It retains classic Colt features: an unshrouded ejector rod with knurled tip, six-flute cylinder, checkered rearward-sliding cylinder latch, and a matted/serrated top-strap sighting plane. Fixed sights include a half-moon front blade and a top-strap rear groove for a clean, snag-resistant setup.
This example is correctly chambered for .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W), not .38 Special. The steel frame, barrel, and cylinder wear a bright reflective metal finish that complements the compact design and period-correct look.
Non-factory elements add character: the buttstrap is engraved "No. 15971," and the smooth pearl-like grips (without Colt medallions) give it a distinct presentation. Colt’s prancing pony logo on the left frame and an "O" inspection/assembly mark round out the period details.
Period-correct configuration, late-1920s production (circa 1928–1929), and the short-barrel D-frame format make this a notable Bankers Special with desirable early features and clear Colt lineage.