U.S., WW2-c.1941 Colt Official Police .38-200 British Military Contract Revolver, Serial No. 659911, Broad Arrow Marked, EU/UK Deactivated - 22

*U.S., WW2-c.1941 Colt Official Police .38-200 British Military Contract Revolver, Serial No. 659911, Broad Arrow Marked, EU/UK Deactivated*

An original Second World War Colt Official Police six-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Connecticut, and chambered for the British .38-200 (.38 S&W) service cartridge. Produced under wartime British contract, this example retains its original 5-inch barrel, military lanyard ring, matching frame and crane serial numbers (659911), British military ownership and inspection marks, and original chequered walnut grips fitted with silver Colt medallions. It is accompanied by six inert .38 S&W display cartridges and its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House deactivation certificate.

- British wartime contract example with Broad Arrow government ownership mark and Crown over W Woolwich inspection stamp.
- Manufactured in 1941, confirmed by Colt serial number 659911.
- Original 5-inch barrel marked "COLT OFFICIAL POLICE 38-200".
- Matching serial number 659911 stamped on both the frame and crane.
- Original chequered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions.
- Military lanyard ring fitted to the butt.
- Includes six inert .38 S&W display cartridges.
- Current EU/UK deactivation retaining moving cylinder, ejector operation and functional double-action mechanism.

Markings:
The left side of the barrel is roll-marked: "COLT OFFICIAL POLICE 38-200" confirming manufacture for the British .38-200 (.38 S&W) military cartridge.

The top of the barrel is marked in full: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." followed by the patent dates: "PAT'D. AUG. 5. 1884. JULY 4. 1905. OCT. 5. 1926."

The left side of the frame bears the British Broad Arrow government ownership mark together with the Crown over "W" Woolwich inspection stamp and additional British military acceptance marks applied during inspection. The left side of the frame retains the Colt Rampant Horse trademark.

Matching serial number 659911 is stamped on both the frame and crane beneath the cylinder. The butt is additionally stamped 1107, almost certainly a British armoury or rack number applied during military service.

Approximate Measurements: Barrel Length: 5 inches (12.7 cm). Calibre: .38-200 (.38 S&W). Capacity: Six rounds

History Note:
The Colt Official Police was one of the strongest and most respected service revolvers of its era. Following the heavy equipment losses sustained during the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, Britain urgently sought additional sidearms from overseas manufacturers to supplement domestic Webley production. Colt supplied substantial numbers of Official Police revolvers chambered for the British .38-200 (.38 S&W) cartridge under contracts placed by the British Purchasing Commission. These revolvers subsequently saw service with the British Army, Royal Air Force, Home Guard and Commonwealth forces throughout the Second World War.

This revolver can be confidently dated to 1941 by its serial number 659911, which falls within Colt's documented Official Police production records for that year. The British .38-200 barrel marking, Broad Arrow ownership stamp, Woolwich inspection mark and military lanyard ring together confirm it as an authentic wartime British contract revolver rather than a commercial Official Police model.

*Condition*
Presented in good original wartime condition with honest military service wear throughout. The original blued finish displays expected thinning to the high points together with scattered areas of light surface oxidation, age-related freckling and handling marks accumulated through military use and subsequent storage. There is no evidence of modern refinishing.

The barrel legend, Colt Hartford address, patent markings, British Broad Arrow and Woolwich inspection stamps all remain clear and legible. The Colt Rampant Horse trademark is still well defined. The original walnut grip panels retain strong chequering with honest handling wear and both original silver Colt medallions remain intact.

Matching serial number 659911 is present on both the frame and crane beneath the cylinder. The butt retains the additional stamped service number 1107.

Mechanically, the revolver functions smoothly in double-action, correctly rotating and indexing the cylinder before releasing the hammer. The single-action hammer will cock but does not remain engaged due to typical age-related sear wear. The cylinder swings out correctly and the ejector rod operates smoothly.

Included are six inert .38 S&W display cartridges, each correctly headstamped: " 38 S&W "

Deactivation Certificate Details:
Deactivated to current EU/UK specification and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate, numbered 176436 and dated 14 April 2023. The certificate records the revolver as a Colt Official Police Revolver, calibre .38, serial number 659911, with a 5-inch barrel, manufactured in the U.S.A. Corresponding Birmingham Proof House EU/GB deactivation and inspection marks are present on the revolver and match the accompanying certificate.

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