Colt Army Special .38 Special Revolver, 4 Inch, 1920, Army Special Frame with Later Official Police Barrel, Blued DA/SA, 6-Shot
This 1920 Colt Army Special stands out as a custom-configured Colt E-frame revolver that pairs an Army Special frame with a later 4-inch "COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38" barrel. It features smooth ivory-colored synthetic grips, fixed service sights, and a classic blued carbon-steel build. For buyers and collectors seeking a distinctive period Colt with verifiable configuration details, this example offers clear, documented characteristics.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This revolver has been refurbished, and the finishes are not consistent. Pitting is present under areas that were refinished. The barrel was replaced with a later Official Police 4-inch barrel. The cylinder timing is off, and the lockup is loose.
What’s Included
- Colt Army Special .38 Special revolver as configured
Built on Colt's medium E-frame, this Army Special retains its service-revolver proportions with a 4-inch barrel and a 6-round cylinder chambered in .38 Special. The later barrel installation is clearly marked "COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38," creating a distinctive hybrid of two closely related Colt service models.
The revolver is constructed from carbon steel with a blued finish on the frame and barrel. It uses a double-action/single-action operating system with an exposed hammer. The ejector rod is unshrouded and fitted with a knurled ejector head, and the butt is square with no lanyard ring.
Sighting is straightforward and durable, consisting of a fixed front sight and a square-notch rear set into the topstrap. Top-of-barrel address and patent lines are present, providing period-correct markings that add to the gun's documented features.
Aftermarket smooth ivory-colored synthetic grip panels complete the configuration. Together with the later Official Police barrel, these elements define the revolver's customized character while keeping the overall package consistent with Colt's service-revolver design language of the era.