colt detective special

donv

March 03, 2003 18:48

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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  donv

  March 03, 2003 18:48

  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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  Der Gebirgsjager

  March 03, 2003 22:46

  No--that term would most likely mean that a round butt is standard on that model; as opposed to a square butt which is not as easy to conceal. Either would display front and back strap and butt metal with two piece grips.

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  JudgeColt

  March 04, 2003 05:53

  Clarification is needed here. DG's answer is a little off.
  
  What I think donv is trying to get at is the variation that occurred in 1966 when Colt standaradized the frame length and then used the stocks to make a short-grip Agent, or a long-grip Detective Special and Cobra. When you look at the bottom of a Post-1965 D-frame gun butt, you will see only wood. In a Pre-1966 D-frame, you will see the metal frame when looking at the gun butt. The Detective Special and Cobra had the long frame, while the Agent had the short frame. Short full-frame Pre-1966 Agents are scarce. I call the Post-1965 D-frames "Wood Butts" or "Short Frames," but there is no official designation. "Pre-1966" and "Post-1965" are probably more accurate terms. (Actually, the change occurred in 1966, so even that is not entirely accurate.)
  
  The Detective Special was introduced in 1927 with a square butt. In 1933 (both dates from my faulty memory, and are not verified, but are close), the corners of the frame were rounded to create a "round butt" that ran until the 1966 frame change. However, the difference between the concealability of the round and square butts is negligible, similar to the difference in round and square-butt Smith & Wesson J-frames.

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  Ampersand

  March 04, 2003 07:59

  I don't even think of Colts as having a round butt, they all look and feel pretty much square to me. On the J frame S&W (K too for that matter) I would have to say that I find a great deal of difference in compactness and concealability between the round and square. But that's just my opinion for what it's worth.
  
  &

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  p0838

  March 05, 2003 03:16

  
  
  
  
  Colt Detective Special circa 1951 with factory installed hammer shroud
  and original "Coltwood" grips

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