Colt Official Police 38 Special CTG

Question
Hi Charles.  I have a Colt Official Police 38 Special CTG.  It is blued steel and in really good condition.  It has a whitish/yellowish bone handle that appears to be original Colt but I am not sure.  I have never seen any pictures on-line anywhere with similar grips.  The serial number is 738418.  I was hoping you could tell me what year the gun was made, if the grips are original, and an estimate on what it is worth?  Thanks

Answer
Hello Bob. Your Colt Official Police .38 Special with serial number 738418, was manufactured in 1947. The Pre-War Official Police .38 special revolvers were manufactured from 1930-1946. This would make your revolver a Post-War that began manufacture in 1947. It came with Coltwood Synthetic grips up to 1954. There were many different grip materials available for this model. If your whitish/yellowish bone grips were Colt manufactured, there would be the Colt insignia on them. I would say that yours are after market grips, possibly Genuine Ivory(due to the color you describe) or a plastic material made to imitate Ivory grips. There is a way to test these grips as to whether they are Ivory, but be very careful. Take one of the grip panels off and apply a heated needle to it. If it is real, it will give off a smell of burnt bone or hair. If it is plastic, the smell will burn your eyes. The reason I ask you to perform this task, is that if it is Ivory, it is likely it was owned by a government official(police,sheriff,etc.). The value according to on-line auctions start at $300 and goes to over $600. I hope I have answered your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage