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Coltautos.com Exclusive - Colt Catalog Reference Guide 1888 - 2005

Colt Catalog Reference List 1888 - 2005

Presented below is a fairly complete Colt Catalog list with brief descriptions and codes and a number of covers.  This list is based on the information first compiled many years ago by former Colt employee, John Hintlian and has been enhanced as new variations have been discovered.  If you have any information or cover scans to contribute, please email me at slisker@coltautos.com.

COVER DATE DESCRIPTION / CODE DIMENSIONS PAGES
1888 "First Edition" February 12" x 9" 36
  1890 "Second Edition" January 12" x 9" 37
  1892 "Third Edition" January 12" x 9" 38
1894 "Fourth Edition" June (Pictured with Deluxe Cover) 12" x 9" 38
1898 January 10" x 8" 40
1899   6" x 3 1/4" 16
1902 October (Pictured with Deluxe Cover) 10" x 8" 40
1903 October

COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
HARTFORD, CONN., U.S.A.
INCORPORATED 1855
MANUFACTURERS OF
COLT'S REVOLVERS

5" x 4" 40
1904 March

COLT'S PATENT FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
HARTFORD, CONN., U.S.A.
INCORPORATED 1855
MANUFACTURERS OF
COLT'S REVOLVERS
Back Cover:  COLUMBIA PRESS,  HARTFORD, CONN.

5" x 4" 40
  1905 (Early) 5" x 4" 40
1905 (Late) 5" x 4 1/4" 38
1905 September 10" x 8" 40
1906 (Circa) 5" x 4 1/4" 40
1907 (Circa) 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1908   5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
  1909   5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1909-2   5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1909-3   5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1910   5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1911 May 1, 1911 Price List 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1911-2 (Form) A-13 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1912 (Form) A-23 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1913 (Form) A-31
February 1913 (M52) Price List
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1913-14 (Form) A-38 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1914 (Form) A-38
May 1, 1914 Price List
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1915 (Form) A-38-R 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1915 (Form) A-51 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1916 (Form) A-51-R 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1917 (Form) A-51-R-3d 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1917 (Form) A-51-R-2nd
March 8, 1917 Price List
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
  1917 (Form) A-51-R 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
  1919 (Form) A-61 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1919 (Form) A-61-2D
December 3, 1919 Price List
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1920 (Form) A-61-3D 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1921 (Form) A-61-4th

Colt Revolvers:

New Service, New Service Target , Colt Army Special, Officers' Model Target, Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Police Positive Target, Police Positive, Single Action Army,

Colt Automatic Pistols:

(Government Model, Caliber .45), Colt Automatic Pistol (Military Model, Caliber .38), Colt Automatic Pistol (Pocket Model, Caliber .38), Colt Automatic Pistol (Pocket Model, Hammerless), Colt Automatic Pistol (Pocket Model, Caliber .25, Hammerless), Colt Automatic Pistol (Caliber .22, Target Model)

5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1921 (Form) A-64-Oct
Price List: January 2, 1922 (PL 14th)
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1922 (Form) A-64-2D 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1922 (Form) A-64-3D
Price List: January 2, 1922 (PL 14th)
5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
1923 (Form) A-68 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
  1923 (Form) A-68-R 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" 40
  1924 Circa (with picture of pirate on cover) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 39
1924 Circa 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 39
1924 Circa (Form) (A-70-2d) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 40
1925 Circa (Form) (A-70-3d) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 40
1926 Circa (Form) (A-70-4th)
Price List: December 4, 1922 (PL-11)
5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 40
1926 Circa (Form) (A-70-5th) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 40
1926 Circa (Form) (A-70-6th) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 40
1927 Circa (Form) (A-70-7th)
Price List: April 1927 (PL-11-R)
5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 41
1927 Circa (Form) (A-70-8th)
Price List: April 1927, PL-11R

REVOLVERS:
New Service, New Service Target, Army Special, Officers' Model Target, Police Positive Special, Police Positive Cal. .32 and .38, Police Positive Target cal. .22 and .32, Pocket Positive, Single Action Army.
SINGLE-SHOT PISTOL:
Camp Perry Target Model, cal. .22
AUTOMATIC PISTOLS:
Government Model cal. .45, 1902 Military Model cal. .38, Pocket Hammer Model, cal. .38, Pocket Model Hammerless, cal. .380, .32, .25, .22

5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 41
1927 Circa (Form) (A-70-9th) 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 43
1928 Circa (Form) (A-70-10th)
Price List: July, 1928 (PL-11-R)

Revolvers:  New Service, New Service Target, Official Police, Officers Model Target, Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Detective Special, Police Positive Target, Pocket Positive, Single Action Army, Camp Perry Model .22

Automatics: Government Model .45, Military Model .38 (1902 Military), Pocket Model .38 (1903 Pocket Hammer), Pocket Hammerless Model .32 & .380 (Model 1903 & 1908 Pocket Hammerless .32 & .380), Pocket Model .25 (1908 Vest Pocket .25), Woodsman .22,
 

5 3/4" x 7 3/4" 45
1929 (A-87) Reference to '93rd Year in text
Price List: January 1929 (PL-11)
7 1/2" x 10" 36
1930 Reference to '94th Year in text 7 1/2" x 10" 40
1931 (A-87) Reference to '95th Year in text
Price List: January 1931
7 1/2" x 10" 40
1931 Late 2nd Catalog (A-87) Reference to '95th Year in text
Shooting Master Deluxe Target Revolver Added
Price List: January 1932 (PL-11)
7 1/2" x 10" 40
1932 JANUARY 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 40
1932 JULY 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 40
1933 JANUARY 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 40
1933 OCTOBER
Reference to "past 97 Years" with prices printed in the catalog.
6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 40
1934 MARCH 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
  1935 No code 5 3/4" x7 3/4" 40
1935 JANUARY 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
1936 A Century of Achievement (1836 - 1936)
Soft cover
6 3/4" x 9 1/8" 96
1936 A Century of Achievement (1836 - 1936)
Hard cover
  96
1936 OCTOBER 1 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
1937 Dated: JANUARY 1, 1937
FORM A-87
THE F. A. BASSETTE CO. PRINTERS
SPRINGFIELD , MASS.

Price List: May 1 1937 (PL-11)
Blue Price List

6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
1938 JANUARY 1 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
  1938 JANUARY (with a 1939 dated price list inserted) 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 41
1940 JANUARY 1 (Dated January 1, 1940 printed over January 1, 1939) PL-22 8 1/4" by 11" 12
1941 JANUARY

Differences between 1/1/41 and 7/1/41 catalogs:

Page 20 - Has a page titled "Selecting the Proper Arm" and shows the Detroit Police winning team from Camp Perry. This doesn't appear in the 7/1/41 catalog.

Page 23 - The "New Service Target" revolver appears only in the January edition

Page 26 - The "Camp Perry model" appears only in the January edition (page 26).

6 3/4" x 9 3/4"

Blue PL-11
Dated 1/1/41

43
1941 JULY 1 6 3/4" x 9 3/4" 40
1941 OCTOBER 1 PL-22 8 1/4" by 11" 12
  1942      
  1943      
  1944      
  1945      
  1946      
  1947      
  1948      
1949 (11-1-49) PL-227 6 1/4" x 9 1/4" 6
1950 September 8, 1950
Colt Form PL-229
6 1/4" x 9 1/4" 6
1951 PL-229  (3-51) 6 1/4" x 9 1/4" 6
1951 PL-22 9-51 6" x 9" 6
  1952      
1953 February 6 1/4" x 9 1/4" 6
  1954      
June 1955 Form A-79
Python, Single Action Army, Agent (Lightweight), Marshal, Three-Fifty-Seven, Trooper
8 1/2" x 11 4
1956 Features the re-introduction of the Colt Single Action 8" x 10" 28
1957 Black and white illustrations, 3 fold pamphlet opens to show 6 pages 8 1/2" x 11" 6
  1957   9" x 11" 6
1957

A79-2, February 1957 with factory print-over changes to the prices of magazines on the back. Single Action Army on the front and all the other models inside including Python, Officers Model, Woodsman, Government Model M1911, Commander, etc.

8 1/2" x 11" 6
  1958      
March
1959
  8 1/2" x 11" 6
1960 Revolvers and Automatic Pistols, parts catalog & price list. 8 1/2" x 11" 43
1961 Handguns, Long Gung, Holsters,  Scopes FORM NO. A79-5 8 1/2" x 11" 20
1961 Handguns, Long Gung, Holsters,  Scopes FORM NO. A79-5-361 8 1/2" x 11" 18
1962      
  1963      
  1964      
  1965      
1966 C100 on back cover.

Some featured items are the Gold Cup National Match, New Police, Python, SAA, Woodsman, Diamondback, Coltsman rifle, Colteer, Stagecoach, Coltsman shotgun, AR-15 and the 3x AR-15 scope. Guns listed include 27 handguns, 5 rifles, 4 shotguns and the AR-15.

  6
1967      
  1968      
1969 Form No. CCC-8 /69 Rev.1 4 1/2" x 7" 16
1970 Orange cover, full Colt line, page on engraving. Form No. CCC-3/70 Rev.2 6" x 8" 16
1971 Unfolds to 22 1/2" x 28 1/2" 7 1/2" x 9 1/2" 12
1972 Colt's Handbook and Catalog 11" x 8 1/2" 36
1973 Colt's Handbook and Catalog 11" x 8 1/2" 32
1974   8 1/2" x 11" 23
1975

Catalog features 23 handguns including 2 Blackpowder revolvers. .22 caliber conversion for the Government Model, 3 Colt Sauer rifles, Colt Sauer Drilling, AR-15 and Stagecoach .22 Rifle. 2 pages of Jay Scott grips.

8 1/2" x 11" 23
1976      
1977   8 1/2" x 11" 20
1978

Colt "New Frontier Buntline Special", (the only factory engraved and inlaid New Frontier Buntline Special ever manufactured, which was created for the 1977 NSGA Show),1860 Army Black Powder Revolver, Single Action Army & New Frontier Single Action Army, Python, Trooper & Lawman MK III, Diamondback, Viper & Police Positive, Detective Special, Cobra & Agent, Gold Cup National Match, Ace & Government Model, Lightweight & Combat Commanders, AR-15 Sporter, Colt Sauer Sporting Rifles, Colt Sauer Drilling and the Colt Custom Shop services. [Internal photos black & white photographs, color photos on the covers only]

8 3/8" x 10 7/8" 24
1978 Blackpowder   14
1979   8 1/2" X 11" 24
1980

The Colt Walker, 1860 Army, 1862 Pocket Navy, 1862 Pocket Police, Single Action Army and New Frontier, Detective Special, Diamondback, Lawman Mk III, Trooper Mk III , Python, Gold Cup National Match and Ace, Government Model and 22 Conversion Unit, Combat Commanders and Lightweight Commanders, and the AR-15 Sporter. Also has a color section introducing the new 8” Colt Python. Center section with color photos of the Colt Sauer Rifles and Drilling. Back page has color photos of guns from the Colt Custom Shop.

8 1/2” x 10 ½” 22
1981     10
1982

The Authentic Colt Black powder Walker & 1860 Army; Colt Dragoons & 1851/1861 Navys; 1862 Pocket Navy & Pocket Police; the Stainless Steel Black powder revolvers; the Gold Cup National Match and Ace; the Government Model & .22 Conversion Unit; the Combat & Lightweight Commanders; the Detective Special; the Diamondback; the Lawman & Trooper MKIII; the Python; the reintroduction of the New Frontier .22; the New Colt Mark V revolvers; the Colt Sauer Sporting Rifles & Drilling (in color); the AR-15 Sporters; Colt Collectables; the Colt Custom Shop and the services it offers.

8 3/8" x 10 7/8" 24
1983

Marked 1982 Colt Industries Operating Corp, but catalog contains several items taht are not listed in the earlier 1982 catalog:
- 9mm conversion unit for any Gold Cup or Gov't Model
- the AR-15 4x scope.
- 3 pages of guns (14 handguns,2 conversion units,2 AR-15 rifles, Colt Sauer rifle, 3x and 4x AR-15 scopes and Colt Reflex Sighting System for the AR-15.)
- 2 page chart of the guns listing weight and dimensions
- page listing Colt Firearms Authorized Repair Stations.

8 1/2" by 11" 6
1984      
1985

Features the AR-15 rifles with the new 9mm model and 4x scope. 8 semi-auto handguns,10 revolvers, Colt Sauer rifle and 22 LR & 9mm conversion units.

8 1/2" by 11" 11
1986   Two Versions
5 1/2" x 7"
8 1/2" x 11"

14
14
1987

The Colt Python; the King Cobra & Peacekeeper; the Combat Elite & Gold Cup National Match; the new 10mm Pistol Delta Elite; the Government Model, Combat & Lightweight Commanders, and Officer's ACP; the .380 Government Model, Mustang .380 & New Mustang Pocket Lite .380; five models of AR-15 Sporters; the Colt Custom Shop and the services it offered; plus the New Delta Team combination of Delta H-BAR and Delta Elite.

8.5" x 10 7/8" 15
1988

The Government Models .45acp, .38 Super, .40cal., AR-15's, Pythons, Detective Special, .380 Government Model, .380 Mustang, Custom Shop & accessories, Combat Elite, Delta Elite, Gold Cup National Match, Commander and Officer’s ACP and King Cobra.

  16
1989

Features the introduction of the 10mm Delta Gold Cup,  the 380 government model and the 10mm Delta elite in matte stainless finish.

  15
  1989

Colt Catalog supplement: "The Colt Collection" accessories.
Form no BN 3/89

   
1990   8 1/2" x 11" 19
1991   8 1/2" x 11" 24
1992 Featuring New All American Model 2000, Government Models, M1991A1, Commander, Gold Cup, Delta Elite, Double Eagle, Python, Anaconda, King Cobra, Single Action Army and AR-15 rifles. 8 1/2" x 11" 24
1993

New Products - Detective Special, the Cotl AR-15 7.62x39mm Sporter lightweight rifle, the 45 Colt Anaconda revolver, the M1991A1 45 ACP Compact and the 45 ACP Commander, Colt All American.

8 1/2" x 11" 6
1994

Catalog includes features, specifications and illustrations of the following Colt Sporter Rifle Models: 9mm Lightweight R6430, 16" .223 Lightweight R6530, .223 Competition Hbar R6700 & R6700CH, Target R6551 And .223 Match Hbar R6601. Also the following Colt auto handgun models: Double Eagle, Combat Elite, Delta Gold Cup, Delta Elite 10mm Auto, Government M1991A1, Combat Commander, Lightweight Commander, Officer's ACP, Gold Cup National Match, 380 Government and Mustang, and Cadet. Also the following Colt revolver handgun models: Single Action Army, Detective Special, King Cobra, Python, and Anaconda.

8 1/2" by 11" 30
1995 Back cover dated 1995 8 1/2" by 11" 34
1996 Back cover dated 1996 8 1/2" by 11" 34
1997

DS-II Revolver, Pony and Pony Pocketlite L.W. Pistols, King Cobra Revolver, M1991A1 Semiautomatic Pistols (Government, Commander, & Compact), M1991A1 Stainless Pistols (Government, Commander, & Compact), Lightweight Carry Model Pistols (Commander, Officer's ACP, & Defender), Anaconda Revolver, AR15 Match Target Rifles, AR15 Accurized Rifle, Colt .22 Semiautomatic Pistol, Enhanced Competition Model Pistols (.45 ACP, .38 Super and 9 x 23mm), Python Elite Revolvers, Gold Cup Trophy Pistols, Custom Shop Products & Services, The Peacemaker (Colt Single Action Army Revolver), Team Colt Rodeo & The Legend (PRCA Colt SAA Revolver), and Colt Licensed Products (Optics by C-More, Black Powder Arms, Safes, and CO2 Pistols.)

10 7/8" x 8 3/8" 28
1998      
1999      
  1999 Blackpowder   47
  2000      
  2000 Blackpowder   63
  2001      
  2002      
  2003      
2004

 
8 1/2" x 11" 23
  2005      
  2006      
2007      
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