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Colt Model 1908 .380 ACP Police Department Marked
Factory Inscribed Pistols

Detroit Police - Detroit, Michigan Police Department

Factory Inscribed Detroit Police Colt Model M .32 ACP serial number 134233 - The contract for the Detroit Police Department guns numbered 50 guns that were shipped in 1912.  This example has  "Detroit Police 1307" inscribed on the grip safety.  Colt Factory Letter confirms these features and indicates that the gun was one of 50 shipped to Fletcher Hardware, Detroit, Michigan on July 17, 1912.

Factory Inscription on Grip Safety - Detroit Police No. 1307

Detroit Police No. 1307 - Right side


Photos courtesy of Emilio
Aftermarket inscribed Detroit Police Colt Model M .32 ACP serial number 832 with period shoulder holster - The contract for the Detroit Police Department guns numbered 50 guns that were shipped in 1912.  This example has  "Detroit Police 1388" inscribed on the grip safety.  This number is higher than the highest number of the contract, but the serial number of the gun is way earlier than the contract.  The Detroit PD may have picked these guns up on the second hand market and had it inscribed like the guns from the contract, to issue to an officer.  It could also have been done independently by a Detroit PD employee.

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