Colt Army Special .38 Special DA/SA Revolver, 6 Inch, 1922 Production, Blued, E-Frame, Fixed Sights
This 1922 Colt Army Special is a classic E-frame, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .38 Special with a 6 inch barrel. It predates the Official Police name change of 1927 and features Colt's Positive Lock internal hammer-block safety, fixed service sights, and black checkered hard-rubber "COLT" grips. Its blued carbon-steel construction, unshrouded ejector rod, and square-butt frame reflect the durable service configuration that made this line a staple of the era.
As an early-1920s example, it carries hallmark Colt details including the Rampant Colt logo on the left rear frame and a one-line top-of-barrel address/patent legend. The serial number placement is on the crane/yoke, as is correct for the model. The revolver retains its classic fixed-sight layout with a half-moon front and frame-notch rear, and a front crane/cylinder lock that secures the cylinder during use.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver shows finish loss from prior handling and use, and factory markings remain visible. Please refer to the photos for a closer look at the finish and markings.
What's Included
- Leather holster
Built on Colt's E-frame, the Army Special served as the direct predecessor to the Official Police, with the model renamed in 1927. This connection gives the revolver added significance for collectors focused on Colt's service lineage and early 20th-century production.
The Colt Positive Lock system provides an internal hammer-block safety, a defining feature of this model. The revolver uses a front crane/cylinder lock and an unshrouded ejector rod, consistent with the robust service pattern of the period.
Its configuration is straightforward and practical: a 6 inch carbon-steel barrel, blued finish throughout, and fixed sights with a half-moon front and frame-notch rear. The square-butt steel grip frame is fitted with black checkered hard-rubber "COLT" grips.
Control features include an exposed hammer and a smooth trigger for DA/SA operation. Markings include the Rampant Colt on the left rear frame and a one-line top-of-barrel address/patent legend, with the serial number located on the crane/yoke.