This Colt Officer’s Model Revolver belonged to pre-World War II marksman John P. Leonard (1888-1955) and memorializes his USRA .22 Caliber Revolver League 5-shot target score of February 14, 1932. This was a very impressive perfect score for 5 shots at 20 yards in 20 seconds. All of Leonard’s 5 shots hit the center bull’s eye in 17 1/5 seconds, giving him a perfect score of 50. A facsimile of this impressive target is inlaid in silver on the side plate. The inlay is finely detailed with all of the minute details seen on the actual target, including the shot cluster, signatures, recorded time and scoring. Not a single detail was missed by the engraver. You can see for yourself as the actual target is included for comparison. To have the original target that is celebrated in silver on this highly personalized revolver owned by an identified pre-war marksman makes for a one-of-a-kind collectible that you will likely have to look a long time to see anything equivalent. “John P. Leonard” is engraved on the side plate, and the inscription follows the upward curve of the Roper grips. The level of engraving exhibited on the side plate suggests that it was done at the factory. The revolver is listed by serial number among firearms Leonard had insured in December 1952. This insurance document proves without a doubt that this revolver belonged to Leonard. The type written insurance company inventory records the model, caliber, barrel length, serial number and value of $36.00. Just after the value is a handwritten notation “sold” in pencil. His firearms collection was sold after his death in 1955 as noted in several included letters written to Leonard’s wife by the dealer who sold the collection. This revolver is not mentioned in the letters. An accompanying newspaper photograph of Leonard at an October 1932 target match shows him holding what appears to be this revolver. This photo was published in the October 11, 1932, issue of the Hartford Courant. Finally, there is a photo of a young Leonard among a group of Simsbury High School students taken circa 1909. Besides being an expert marksman, John P. Leonard was a carpenter and an avid fisherman who tied and sold trout flies from his home in Avon, Connecticut. For many years he was the president of the Avon Fish and Game Club. In the 1953 Lyman Ideal handbook, there is an illustration of John Leonard’s design for a 158GR bullet followed by another design by American shooting legend Elmer Keith. The revolver was manufactured in 1932 and has target sights, checkered Roper grips, and matching serial numbers on the inside of the frame and crane. The inside of each grip panel is hand marked with Leonard’s “JL” initials. The barrel has standard markings: the two-line Hartford address on top and model/caliber markings on the left side. Along with the aforementioned engraving, the side plate has the standard Rampant Colt. Includes a period correct Colt Officer’s Model Target box (lacks legible serial number), a used shooting target on heavy card stock, and Colt’s “Special Instructions.” Provenance: The David Burghoff Collection

Very fine, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with high edge wear and a patch of gray/brown patina visible on the forward trigger guard. The period added Roper grips are very fine with a series of handling marks on the bottom and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with repairable split lid corners and edge wear. Nearly all of the end label remains. A fascinating, one-of-a-kind, highly personalized pre-war Colt target revolver grouping belong to an identified pre-war marksman that will add dimension to any Colt or match target collection.