Colt Officers Model Match Fifth Issue .38 Special Revolver, 1953, Blued, 4.5 Inch, Adjustable Target Sights
This 1953 Colt Officers Model Match Fifth Issue is a first-year example of the target-tuned E/I-frame revolver line. It pairs a blued carbon-steel build with a heavy, tapered 4.5-inch barrel and fully adjustable target sights. Aftermarket white mother-of-pearl–style grips set this piece apart visually while maintaining the classic Colt target revolver profile.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are scratches, small dings, and areas of finish wear consistent with prior handling and use.
What’s Included
- Colt Officers Model Match Fifth Issue .38 Special revolver
- Aftermarket white mother-of-pearl–style smooth two-piece grips (installed)
Built on Colt’s medium E/I-frame with a square butt, this Officers Model Match reflects the company’s mid-century target revolver DNA. It was manufactured in 1953 in Hartford, Connecticut, the first production year for the Officers Model Match line, adding period significance for collectors and Colt enthusiasts.
The revolver features a blued carbon-steel frame, cylinder, and receiver, complemented by a heavy-profile, tapered barrel with an anti-glare top panel. The barrel shows the Hartford, CT address. The installed 4.5-inch tube balances rigidity with manageable length for target work.
Target sighting is accomplished via a ramped front sight with colored inlay and a micrometer-style adjustable rear sight. The action is double-action/single-action, with a smooth trigger and a wide, checkered target-style hammer spur. A six-shot fluted cylinder and an unshrouded ejector rod with a knurled tip round out the classic Colt target setup.
Aftermarket white mother-of-pearl–style smooth grips give this example a distinctive look without changing the mechanical configuration. Additional details include S and N inspection letters. Chambered in .38 Special with a full-size profile, this Officers Model Match presents as a period-correct, feature-rich Colt target revolver with collector appeal.