Colt Official Police .38 Special Revolver, 4" Blued, 1955 Production, E-Frame, 6-Shot, With Box
This 1955 Colt Official Police is a classic six-shot .38 Special revolver built on Colt's medium E-frame with a 4" barrel and a blued carbon steel construction. It features fixed duty sights, checkered walnut service grips with silver Colt medallions, and the hallmark controls and contours that defined mid-century American police sidearms.
Widely issued across the United States in the 1950s, the Official Police combines robust build quality with practical duty features, including an anti-glare serrated topstrap and an exposed, unshrouded ejector rod. This example aligns with period configuration and showcases the model's straightforward, service-ready design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Details: This firearm is in great shape. Light scratches and small blemishes are present on exterior surfaces. There is minor blemishing on the interior of the frame.
What’s Included
- Box
Built on Colt's medium E-frame, this Official Police retains the six-shot fluted cylinder and carbon steel construction throughout the barrel, frame, and cylinder, all finished in blue. The topstrap is serrated for glare reduction, and the square-notch rear sight is integral to the topstrap, paired with a half-moon front blade for a clear, duty-oriented sight picture.
The double-action/single-action system offers a smooth double-action stroke with a crisp single-action let-off. An exposed hammer with a checkered spur provides positive control, while the checkered, rearward-sliding cylinder latch supports quick, confident operation.
Ergonomics reflect its service heritage: checkered walnut service grips with silver Colt medallions provide secure purchase, and the ejector rod is exposed, knurled, and unshrouded for direct access. The revolver omits a lanyard ring, consistent with many period police configurations.
Marking conventions are consistent with the era, with the serial number applied to the frame inside the crane window. As a widely issued U.S. police service revolver of the 1950s and contemporary to the S&W M&P/Model 10, this example represents a well-preserved, functional snapshot of mid-century duty sidearms.