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Colt Question

CapnMidnight
I have a Colt .38 Army Special Revolver that I got from my great uncle when he passed recently. I cannot find anything similar to it. The Serial number lists it to be made in 1911. It has a pearl handle and is very ornately engraved. Any info would be appreciated...
MM
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4 comments

Date Votes
  • CapnMidnight
    I thought my Army Special was out of time because the cylinder didn't index fully to locked position when the hammer was cocked. Stops just a hair short.
    Took it to a Colt gunsmith who said the cylinder indexes that final little bit when the trigger is pulled. And that it's supposed to do that. Indeed it does appear so.
    Is it really true that Colts were made to do this? And why?
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  • Spider7115
    Your revolver was made in 1941.
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  • JudgeColt
    Curse the "Blue Book!" It has introduced an "issue" concept that is highly flawed. Here is the reason why "issue" as used by the "Blue Book" is so misleading and should not be used.

    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, 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.

    I think it is best to identify these guns by their approximate manufacture date (as in 1941 Detective Special) and forget the "issue" issue. As should be obvious from my rant, the "issues" are flawed at best, and useless at worst.
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  • CapnMidnight
    Gentlemen, I thank you for your time and information.
    W.D.
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