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Colt Detective Special

blacarrow
I have two Colt Detective specials that I have acquired over the last two years. My main problem is how do i know what issue it is? I have one nickel and one blue. both have the full lug so that rules out the first issue. Is there any tell tale signs I should look for. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • blacarrow
    What is the term used, when the
    grip frame straps front, back and
    bottom are exposed with two piece wood grips?
    Is it "round butt standard"?
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  • rufe-snow
    A number of different versions of the DS were made over the years, greatly affecting value. At the very least we would need a partial SN, to identify DOM and specific variation.
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  • blacarrow
    I gave all the info I have at my disposal. The grips indicate that it's a later model, not one dating from the '20's.

    I'd appreciate a ballpark figure from someone more knowledgeable than myself that would assist me in deciding whether to purchase it.

    Thanks
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  • givette
    You may buy it? At some point prior to sale, you will have access to the SerNo. Please, as soon as you garner such information (and after letting us know what it is) we'll tell you what type of grips, and other items of configuration that it was to have had When It Left The Factory.

    Best, Joe
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  • Spider7115
    In the absence of any serial number or detailed description to determine the version, I suggest you check the auction side first to determine which model it is. Then, check the "closed" auctions to see what they have actually sold for and not what sellers are hoping to get.
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by blacarrow
    I gave all the info I have at my disposal. The grips indicate that it's a later model, not one dating from the '20's.

    I'd appreciate a ballpark figure from someone more knowledgeable than myself that would assist me in deciding whether to purchase it.

    Thanks


    They changed the grips 3 or 4 times...not just once. Are they wood, plastic, wrap around the bottom of the grip frame wood? There were versions of the DS made all the way from 1927 to the mid 1990's.

    Best
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  • JudgeColt
    Curse the "Blue Book" for creating this awful "issue" nomenclature. That nomenclature does not exist anywhere else and is horribly misleading.

    Here is the reason why "issue" as used by the "Blue Book" is so misleading and should not be used, although I will use it this one time for purposes of illustration only, and then wash my mouth out with soap! The Detective Special was introduced in 1927 as a variation of the Police Positive Special. These early guns had a square butt. I would call these guns "First Issue." In 1933, the butt was changed to what Colt calls "round butt," which would be "Second Issue." After World War II, the front sight was changed from round to ramped, which I would call "Third Issue." These early Post-War guns had plastic stocks, which were changed to wood in the mid-1950s. I do not consider the stock material as another "Issue," but some might. In 1966, the butt frame was shortened, which is "Fourth Issue." In 1972, the shrouded barrel was introduced and oversize "combat" stocks were added, which I count as "Fifth Issue." In 1984, Colt introduced a "discount" version of the Detective Special with matte finish called the Commando. Some might consider that another "issue" of the Detective Special. I do not because the Detective Special remained in production during that time. The Detective Special and Commando were discontinued for 1987. Colt redesigned the lockwork in 1995 and introduced the SF-IV, which could be called the "Sixth Issue." It was replaced by the DS-II in 1997, which could be called the "Seventh Issue." The DS-II was discontinued after 1998. The Magnum Carry was introduced in 1999 and could be called the "Eighth Issue." The Magnum Carry was discontinued in 1999, along with all other Colt double-action revolvers except the Python, which has now been discontinued as well.

    With that explanation, I will now go wash "issue" out of my mouth and suggest everyone who reads this to do the same and never utter the work "issue" again in this context. As this explanation illustrates, the term is worthless as used in the always unreliable "Blue Book."

    Your honor, we are as likely to see the end of the word "Issue" as we are to see the end of grips used to describe what are properly STOCKS.
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  • blacarrow
    Thanks to all. I have the info I needed to make a decision.
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