Wilbur Glahn "C' Factory Master Engraved Colt Official Police Double Action Revolver with Ivory Grips

Manufactured in 1929, this is a highly desirable example of a documented factory engraved and inscribed Colt Official Police revolver. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .38 caliber with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, ivory grips, and class "C" factory engraving when shipped to W.S. Brown in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 31 December 1929, as the only gun of its type in order no. 15552/1. According to Wilson on p. 349 of "The Book of Colt Firearms", only 350 out of the total production of 400,000 of this model were factory engraved, making a documented example like this incredibly scarce. The revolver shows masterfully executed vine and floral scroll engraving with a matted background more than three-quarters of the surfaces, including the barrel, frame, and cylinder. The engraving was almost certainly executed by Colt factory Master Engraver Wilbur A. Glahn, as it incorporates a couple of his signature chevron shapes, and it is he who carried out the majority of Colt's most deluxe engraving from around 1920 to 1950. The left side of the barrel is correctly marked with "COLT", "OFFICIAL/POLICE", and "38", while the standard two-line address is on top. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left of the frame surrounded by scrollwork. The matching serial number is marked on the frame and crane. The revolver is fitted with the typical pre-World War II pattern blade front sight, a frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of correct style non-factory replacement smooth ivory grips with Colt medallions.

Condition

Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with the balance a smooth grey patina on the grip straps, bright nitre-like blue in the cylinder flutes, some oxidation on the sides of the bright polished hammer, and the engraving extremely crisp throughout. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.