Colt Detective Special Question
i came across a 38 special ctg 2" barrel Colt Detective Special this past week but there are a few things "odd" about the revolver based on what I have read about these handguns. It came in a well worn what appears to be an original box that has its serial number written on the bottom of the box. It matches the number on the frame located where the crane closes. I do not see a letter prefix at either place. The serial number starts with "9" in both places The original box has a sticker on it indicating it was sold at JC Penny Co. for $79.50. It has the wood wrap around stock with the silver Colt emblems, fixed blade type sight and no shroud over the ejector rod. Also the rampant colt stamp near the cylinder release is very faint but easily seen. Does anyone one know if JC Penny sold the same grade of Colt as other retailers? Is there another place to look for a serial number that might have a letter starting the serial number? I have not removed the single piece stock at this point since I removed the machine screw but the grips remained tight in place.
According to the seller the gun was purchassed by his wife's first husband and fired one time. I also received a box of nickle cased cartriges that is missing one cartridge. There is one small spot of surface rust near the front blade sight and a couple of spots near the rampant colt on the frame. Other than that the bluing is near perfect. I hope I got a decent deal on it at $300.00.
Edit: Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it. The picture posted is exactly like the one I got. Not knowing anything at all about ths model of Colt revolver but knowing a little about S&W revolvers I thought it odd that the hammer showed no signs of case coloring. Also the light strike of the rampant Colt made me think the revolver may have been polished, but I think it is original as my co-worker told me. The cartridges are the lead bullets in nickel cases unfortunately the box is coming apart and in bad shape. It looks like it had oil leak all over it. I think the little rascal is growing on me.
According to the seller the gun was purchassed by his wife's first husband and fired one time. I also received a box of nickle cased cartriges that is missing one cartridge. There is one small spot of surface rust near the front blade sight and a couple of spots near the rampant colt on the frame. Other than that the bluing is near perfect. I hope I got a decent deal on it at $300.00.
Edit: Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it. The picture posted is exactly like the one I got. Not knowing anything at all about ths model of Colt revolver but knowing a little about S&W revolvers I thought it odd that the hammer showed no signs of case coloring. Also the light strike of the rampant Colt made me think the revolver may have been polished, but I think it is original as my co-worker told me. The cartridges are the lead bullets in nickel cases unfortunately the box is coming apart and in bad shape. It looks like it had oil leak all over it. I think the little rascal is growing on me.
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Tell me, experts, which variant is this Colt?
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32209552
A potential bidder had a question about it. I think it is a third variation, and not +P rated. What do you think?
FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com the best gun auction site on the Net! Email gpd035@sbcglobal.net0 -
I concur; it is Colt Model #D1425.
Neal0 -
Third issues had no rubber grips. Last variant did on the fourth issue. They are steel frames and can shoot +P in limited amounts according to the manual. I have its unfired twin brother in the safe.Either variation 3rd or 4th can safely shoot up to 3000K rds. according to the manual before Colt factory re-inspects. 0 -
It's the one I'm trying to win on GB.[:D]
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA PATRON-LIFE Member, AF&AM, Shriner Life Member, A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois "Chicago Chapter" Founding Member & Board Member0 -
Maybe we're splitting hairs here.
I only recently started using the term "3rd variation" because that's shown in S. Fjestad's "Blue Book". "Variations" are determined by collectors & catalog writers, not the Colt factory. For many years I just used the term "old style" for the DS with exposed ejector, & "new style" for those with recessed.
If we're going to call a change in grip style a "variation", how do we define changes to the Python? Are those with wood grips "1st variation" & those with rubber "2nd variation"? What about the internal lockwork changes in the Python's with wood grips? Aren't engineering changes more significant that grip changes?
I don't know where this ends. The fact is, Nunn's auction contains excellent photographs & a complete description of the gun. If a potential buyer doesn't feel satisfied with that, then maybe he's someone that I wouldn't want to deal with. But, that's just me.
Neal0 -
Third Issue 1973-1986 Nickel finish was available . 3" barrel was available . Wood grips from factory
Fourth Issue From Colt... 1993-1995. Rubber grips with gold colt medallions. They also introduced a bobbed hammer edition in DAO0 -
IMHO, none of these small 38s will take a steady diet of +P loads withown premature signs of wear on gun or shooter. The one pictured looks great. Some happy bidder will have a nice one.
257 fan0 -
I may have been mistaken, but I thought the DS-IV was a totally different revolver, with different lockwork, but superficially similar to the older gun.
I guess I was wrong. Serial number on this one is AE49XX. Seems to be a very late gun.
FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com the best gun auction site on the Net! Email gpd035@sbcglobal.net0 -
DS-IVs are different and designed for +P.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0
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