I was contacted by a close friend of my wife who is looking at selling a few guns, including this one, a Colt Officer's Special Revolver .22LR

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I found this on Colt Fever:


Can someone help put a value on this?

Not an expert on these by any means but something looks off about the sights. Otherwise a decent match model colt.22 revolver like this would run about $750-900 if the sights are correct, and dependent on if original paperwork and box were available

The sights are correct, they used 2 different adjustable sights depending on the year.

I'd like to see a better color pic, it almost looks like it was reblued. That affects the value a LOT.

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Here is one in .38 special with the same rear sight.

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Here is one in .22 with the other rear sight.

Just going by the photos, it looks like that Colt has been re-blued.  To a collector, that is going to knock the value down to around $500.  That is being said, just from the two photos & without a hands on evaluation.  And, looking at a couple of photos is not a good way to determine a pistol's condition and value.  What I see are:

a) screw and pin holes look to be slightly dished/washed (result of improper buffing)
b) the line around the lock plate is too readily visible (really stands out) (also caused by improper buffing)
c) the color of the bluing is not quite right (this might be a lighting issue)
d) the trigger is the wrong color (very obvious)

If the bore and lock up are good, it should still be a phenomenal shooter.

MLG

Thank you everyone.  We appreciate the input.  I will ask her if I can see the gun in person so I can take some pictures myself in better lighting.

We're talking TWO different Officer's Models.

The Officer's Model Special was only made from 1949 to 1952.
It had the Coltmaster rear sight that was only used a few years in the late 40's to early 50's on some Colt pistols.
In the last year of production the later guns had the famous Colt Target hammer as shown in the first photo.
From 1949 to to near the last production in 1952 the hammer was a grooved, narrow Service type hammer that had a slightly longer spur then a standard Service hammer.

The later model was the Colt Officer's Model Match as shown above.
It had the Colt Accro rear sight that was used on all later Colt pistols including the Python and most automatics.

Finally an expert shows up!

All of the markings seem intact, doesn't look like a refinish, what do you think?

If you want a .22 revolver that will almost certainly out shoot any .22 revolver and most .22 autos made today, that would be a smart choice.

I don't even try to keep up on values, but that one looks very good from the photos.

She brought the gun over so I took close up pictures with a camera.  Maybe someone can tell us if it's been refinished.
Curiously the muzzle is in the white.
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Sorry I'm late for this........

I don't think it's been reblued.

From the early-50's to the later 50's Colt used a "Dual-Tone" blued finish.
The edges of the frame and the flutes in the cylinder had a bead blasted flat black finish, with the outer diameter of the cylinder and the sides of the frame polished blue.
On these models the muzzle was left 'in the white'.

Sorry I don't have an estimate of value, but you can get a good ballpark price on the Colt Forum......

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/forum.php

FishKepr,  you or the owner really need to take it in and have it hands on evaluated by someone in the know.  No-one is going to be able to make a proper evaluation on line with photos.  The lighting and resolution just isn't there.  The value depends on a proper assessment that simply can't be done in here.

One person may see things that are not really there while others may not see things that are.  The only solution is a hands on inspection by an expert.  If in perfect condition, a documented evaluation will cost around $50.  If there are problems, a good evaluator will tell you what it is and not charge you anything.

That is a fairly scarce variation.  In premium condition and to a serious collector, it is worth well in excess of $1500.  Re-done, its down around $500.  A huge difference for someone that may need the cash.

With all that said, I think I see issues but sincerely hope that I am wrong and very well may be.  Once again, this from looking at less than ideal photos online.

Good Luck,
MLG

The muzzle is supposed to be white.  That is factory correct.

Gun in OP is an Officers Model Special.  Sights are correct, Coltwood (plastic) stocks are correct.  It was offered on .22 and .38.  The target hammer is a somewhat unusual factory option and came later in production.  Most had standard hammers.  The rear sight was called the Coltmaster and was also found on the Woodsman of the period (late 1940’s - early 1950’s).


Nice gun.

Bottom gun is an Officers Model Match.  Different model all together.  Also the stocks were modified by someone or are aftermarket.

I like it.

My late uncle by marriage had this gun in matching .22 and .38 Special, one for target practice and one foe self defense. He was a crack shot with any firearm, long or handgun. They vanished after his death, as things have a tendency to do.