(Sale Pending) Colt Officer’s Model Target # 535318 – Factory Gold, Inscription

Colt Officer’s Model Target # 535318

Scarce 4 ½” barrel, factory original gold plated, pearl stocked, and factory inscribed Officer’s Model Target to Matt Leach, a well-known law enforcement officer who had come close to capturing John Dillinger several times. Leach was also instrumental in the solving of the “Head, Hands” murder of former Cincinnati Fire Captain Harry R. Miller. A brief biography of Leach can be read here:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/dillinger-matthew-leach/

This revolver retains some of its original gold-plated finish, with amounts remaining in protected areas. Gold plated Colts of this vintage would have been first nickel plated, then gold plated over the nickel or silver. Most of the nickel underlayer remains, with several areas of gold & a few areas of copper flashing coming through. Adding to the scarcity of this revolver are the 4 ½” barrel length, factory pearl stocks, and factory inscription to Leach from the Gary Serbian Societies. While factory records do not specifically mention the inscription, this writer has no doubt of its originality as style, font, & location all match known, documented factory inscribed guns of this era, and the inscription has original gold/nickel plate within.

This revolver would make an excellent addition to any collection focused on Colts of scarce configurations, or to any collection focused on law enforcement or depression era organized crime history.