Colt Bankers Special U. S. Post Office Railway Mail Service Marked... MFD 1931

Here's an interesting revolver that is seldom encountered. This is a Colt .38 Banker's Special that was sold to the United States Government prior to WWII. The Banker's Special can be considered the baby brother to the more common Detective Special and it features a smaller frame and shorter cylinder to accommodate the .38 Colt New Police cartridge (same as the .38 S&W).
This revolver is in good overall condition. It has been refinished in the past although all markings remain clearly legible. The blue finish shows general thinning and wear as well as some light pitting along the top strap. The frame, cylinder, and barrel were numbered "115" in order to keep the parts together during the refinish. This likely indicates the gun was refinished while in the possession of the Post Office when multiple revolvers were refinished at one time. The bottom corner of the back strap has a milled flat and the number "25" stamped there (the meaning of which I do not know). The grips are originals but well worn, particularly the right panel which has little checkering remaining. The gun functions well and has an excellent bright/sharp bore. It comes in a Colt factory box which has no end label and numbers to a different gun. The box does appear to be original to a Post Office Banker's Special however and the bottom is numbered "357487/16050", reflecting both the Colt serial number and the Post Office inventory number. The box is complete but shows some wear including a couple split corners on the lid. Also included is an original bore brush and Colt "Special Instructions" pamphlet. The serial number places production in about 1931-1932. An interesting revolver that is "out of the woodwork" and has not before been in any collection.