something different....Greek Military 1914 Colt Army Special

[cwo4uscgret]

I belong to ColtForm.com (as well as other gun forums go figure). A member who collects Military and LE Agency marked guns posted a Gun Broker link for a Greek Army marked Colt Army Special chambered in .38 Special. Colt made the Army special in various calibers (.22 LR, .38 Special, .32-20, .38-200 (aka as .38 S&W), and .41 Colt (aka .41 Long Colt with barrel lengths of 4", 5", and 6". They also made them in 4-1/2" which is not as common. Around 1927 Colt renamed the Army Special the Official Police!

This 4-1/2" barreled gun, made in 1914 according to Proofhouse.com was inspected by Major Gilbert H. Stuart, US Army Ordnance Inspector (his inspection mark is the round circle stamped on the left side between the top of the cylinder and the hammer.

This gun shows a somewhat decent finish considering its 104 years old and was a military sidearm. I suspect there was a lot more holster wear then hard use; the bore and cylinder is fairly clean. I took the side plate off; inside its clean but dry. The action is tight; the cylinder locks up tight; trigger pull in both Single and Double action is heavy however! If I knew how to take it down to a bare frame I'd give it a super detail cleaning and lubricating! The smooth wood stocks (grips) are numbers matched to the gun; and on the butt of the gun is marked with the Greek Letters Epsilon and Sigma (meaning the Greek Army) and a 5 digit S/N probably a property number. I don't see any reason to not shoot it with some very basic Lead Round Nose 158 grain ammo or some .38 Special Mid-Range Wadcutter ammo!













Just for grins, here's my .41 Colt Army Special, 5" barrel, made in 1920:



Now for the fun part: The gun was $275 plus $25 shipping; and another $20 transfer fee from my friendly local gun shop here in San Antonio. Sadly the .41 Colt Army Special was three times as much - but condition means everything!

Information

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[fjruple]

These are great revolvers! Unfortunately they did not have the collectiablity of other Colt revolvers. That seems to be changing. I have acquired a special order 3 inch .38 Special model made in the early 1920's for $175.00 in perfect condition. I believe a lot of the lack of appeal is that folks believe that the Army Special is a Model 1892 in .38 Long Colt which it is not. These are excellent revolver to purchase for use but I would not recommending +P loads in them. Thanks for sharing your fine revolvers.

[browningautorifle]

I don't see any reason to not shoot it with some very basic Lead Round Nose 158 grain ammo or some .38 Special Mid-Range Wadcutter ammo!

I agree...it'll handle it fine. I might do an oil soak and steel wool to remove the rust blisters under the scales... Yes, the deep fire blue is gorgeous.

[breakeyp]

I factory lettered my Greek marked Army Special and it came back as being shipped to France. I seem to remember that France sponsored purchases for the Greek Government during WW1 much the same as England underwrote Russian orders. Possibly France high jacked part of the order. More research is needed in this matter.

[mrclark303]

I belong to ColtForm.com (as well as other gun forums go figure). A member who collects Military and LE Agency marked guns posted a Gun Broker link for a Greek Army marked Colt Army Special chambered in .38 Special. Colt made the Army special in various calibers (.22 LR, .38 Special, .32-20, .38-200 (aka as .38 S&W), and .41 Colt (aka .41 Long Colt with barrel lengths of 4", 5", and 6". They also made them in 4-1/2" which is not as common. Around 1927 Colt renamed the Army Special the Official Police!

This 4-1/2" barreled gun, made in 1914 according to Proofhouse.com was inspected by Major Gilbert H. Stuart, US Army Ordnance Inspector (his inspection mark is the round circle stamped on the left side between the top of the cylinder and the hammer.

This gun shows a somewhat decent finish considering its 104 years old and was a military sidearm. I suspect there was a lot more holster wear then hard use; the bore and cylinder is fairly clean. I took the side plate off; inside its clean but dry. The action is tight; the cylinder locks up tight; trigger pull in both Single and Double action is heavy however! If I knew how to take it down to a bare frame I'd give it a super detail cleaning and lubricating! The smooth wood stocks (grips) are numbers matched to the gun; and on the butt of the gun is marked with the Greek Letters Epsilon and Sigma (meaning the Greek Army) and a 5 digit S/N probably a property number. I don't see any reason to not shoot it with some very basic Lead Round Nose 158 grain ammo or some .38 Special Mid-Range Wadcutter ammo!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_2-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_3-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_4-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_5-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_6-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_7-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_8-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Greek_9-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Greek_10-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Greek_11-1.jpg

Just for grins, here's my .41 Colt Army Special, 5" barrel, made in 1920:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../AS_Left-1.jpg

Now for the fun part: The gun was $275 plus $25 shipping; and another $20 transfer fee from my friendly local gun shop here in San Antonio. Sadly the .41 Colt Army Special was three times as much - but condition means everything!

Great pictures of a great Revolver, very interesting Indeed.