Colt Detective Special
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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I'm considering making a purchase on a Colt Detective Special and was curious if the price was decent. The firearm was made in the mid-seventies according to the owner, but I do not have the serial number. It is a 2" chrome plated model at about 95% finish and has wood Colt grips. The only finish wear is on the tip of the muzzle and the trigger guard. The gentleman who owns it is a retired officer and claims this was carried for a short period. I assume as a back-up piece. Included in the sale is the original box as well as all documentation from the Colt factory, as well as the shipping container it was delivered in. The asking price is $400.00. 0 -
I hate this "issue" business introduced, I think, by the Blue Book. As used there, it is very misleading and inaccurate. In my opinion, if one wants to assign "issues," there are a lot more than three. In my opinion, they would have to be as follows:
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, or the "Dual Tone" finish of that era, 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. 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 Magnum Carry was introduced in 1999 and could be called the "Eighth Issue." When the Magnum Carry was discontinued later in 1999, that ended this famous line.
In my opinion, if a hammer shroud is factory-installed, it will add to the value of the gun. The older the gun, the more value it will add. Factory-installed shrouds seem to be much more common on later guns.0
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