Colt offical police .38

[John K Smith]

Hi I inherited a colt from my dad and Im trying to find out when it was made I have checked proofhouse and colts website to no avail I'm hoping someone here can tell me when it was made and what the W stands for. My father was a police officer in California in the 50s & 60s but this wasn't his gun story was he got it later in life from a retired officer.Marked as follows COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38 and is stamped with the serial number 705460 and a W under the number. Thanks, John

[22-rimfire]

My read is 1943. 1943 starts with 685000. 1944 starts with 710000.

[John K Smith]

Thank You That helps any clue what the ''W'' stamp is for?

[Dfariswheel]

The "W" is a factory inspectors stamp.