Manufactured in 1935. This is an excellent example of a very rare Shooting Master revolver, in 38 Special with the square configuration rear grip strap. These revolvers were the premier target revolver during this time, and this specific pistol is an original unaltered and near mint condition version of this revolver. These pistols were probably the best production revolvers that Colt ever produced, they exhibited excellent workmanship with meticulous fit and finish and hand tuned actions. This pistol has the late style two-line barrel markings of "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A./PAT'D AUG 5, 1884 JULY 4. 1905 OCT 5. 1926" and the left side of the barrel is marked "COLT SHOOTING MASTER .38 SPECIAL". It has the flattop target style frame with the square butt with the blade front and fixed rear sight blade that are adjustable for elevation and windage respectively with the Rampant Colt logo on the side plate. The left side of the frame is marked with the Rampant Colt, Verified Proof, and "3" factory inspector mark. It has the hand checkered front and rear grip straps and checkered trigger face, with the large smooth round cylinder latch. The hammer has the checkered spur with the blue finish on top with the polished sides. It has the Colt factory polished blue finish with the matted finish on top of the frame, which extends down the rear of the frame to the top of the checkered area on the back strap.

Excellent overall with 98% of the bright original blue finish overall with just a very, very slight cylinder drag line with a very small area of pitting. The face of the cylinder shows some very minor circular rings around the chambers, and it's the writer's opinion that it may have been test fired only, which is why it is in such superb overall condition. The checkered walnut grips are also in excellent plus condition with nice sharp checkered on both sides and just one very small ding on the top of one checkered diamond. Mechanically excellent.