Colt Shooting Master .45 ACP Double Action Revolver 1938
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $3,025.00
The Colt Shooting Master is among the rarest and most desirable double-action revolvers ever produced by Colt. Introduced in 1928 as a premium target version of the New Service revolver, the Shooting Master incorporated many factory custom-shop features as standard equipment. Chambered in .45 ACP and accompanied by a Colt Archive Letter, this example was originally shipped in 1938 and remains a fascinating collector piece with documented provenance and strong mechanical condition.
Identification
MMA#: 260408GC003
Make: Colt
Model: Shooting Master
Serial Number: 348285
Year of Manufacture: 1938 (Colt Archive Letter)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Double Action / Single Action revolver with swing-out cylinder
Barrel Length: 4.5 inches (replacement barrel)
Sights / Optics
The front sight is an aftermarket King serrated ramp fitted with a brass beaded blade. The top strap has been milled to accept an aftermarket adjustable rear sight featuring a white-outlined square notch blade.
Stock Configuration & Condition
The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels with silver Colt medallions. The grip straps are factory checkered. The right-side medallion appears to have been reattached at some point. The grips sit slightly shy of the frame at the lower borders and show scattered handling marks, light nicks, and minor scuffs within the checkering. There are no chips or cracks.
Overall grip condition: Very Good-Fine.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to the parts
This revolver retains approximately 80% of its current finish. Finish loss is present on the leading edges with more significant wear around the muzzle. There are scattered nicks, scratches, and handling marks throughout. Areas of finish loss and erosion are visible on portions of the cylinder flutes, crane area, and frame around the cylinder gap. The sideplate exhibits an arc-shaped area of finish wear with associated erosion. Screw heads range from sharp to showing tool marks. Markings remain clear and legible.
Overall condition: Very Good.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well-defined rifling. There is scattered fouling and erosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks securely in each position with no detectable play when the trigger is pressed. We did not fire this firearm. The revolver has been cleaned and mechanically inspected, though additional cleaning may be desired according to individual standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included is a Colt Archive Letter.
Our Assessment
The Colt Shooting Master occupies a unique place in Colt history. Introduced in 1928, it represented the pinnacle of Colt’s large-frame target revolvers and was based on the proven New Service platform. Rather than requiring customers to special-order premium features, Colt bundled many of the most requested target upgrades into a single factory offering.
Production numbers were extremely limited, with only approximately 3,500 Shooting Masters manufactured. As a result, surviving examples are highly sought after by advanced Colt collectors today.
According to the included Colt Archive Letter, this revolver was shipped to W.A. Harvey Sporting Goods Company of Syracuse, New York, and was the only revolver included in that shipment. It originally left the factory with a 6-inch barrel and an additional crane and cylinder chambered for .45 Colt. At some point during its life, the revolver was modified with its current 4.5-inch barrel and the auxiliary cylinder assembly was separated from the gun.
Despite these changes, the revolver remains an exceptionally interesting example. The aftermarket King front sight and adjustable rear sight reflect the types of target-oriented modifications commonly performed during the mid-20th century. While the bore shows honest wear, the mechanics remain strong and the revolver still presents well as a collector piece.
Between its documented factory letter, scarce production numbers, desirable .45 ACP chambering, and connection to Colt’s golden age of target revolvers, this Shooting Master represents a significant opportunity for collectors of pre-war Colt firearms.
The Mt. McCoy Auctions Difference
At Mt. McCoy Auctions, every firearm is carefully documented and professionally photographed to create a detailed archival record. Our descriptions are written to provide collectors and shooters with a clear understanding of condition, originality, historical significance, and long-term collectibility.
