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.

blacarrow

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.

blacarrow

I'd appreciate some info on the Colt Detective Special, .38 cal.

When was it discontinued?

When was the latest wooden grip style adopted?

What would an unfired gun be worth in mint condition, with paperwork, but no box.

I understand a photo would be helpful, but don't have the ability to supply one.

Thanks for any help.

blacarrow

I recently purchased a second issue Detective Special with a factory hammer shroud.

How much does the shroud add to the value?

blacarrow

I have a pair of first run detective specials and wonder wwhere I might check the seria #'s to see what year they were made any suggestions? Also, I was told they were in 85-90% new condition but all I have are the guns. What does anybody have an idea what they are worth? (2"bbl blued finish, wood grips)
Thanks for any help. I look forward to using/contributing to the forum.
ZSD

blacarrow

any info about this gun would be very helpful. most looking for year manuf. ser # 386xxx. also where to buy replacement parts ie grips.

blacarrow

My earlier posting about a Detective Special hammer shroud was in error. It is not a second issue according to another price guide.

It was made between 1966 and 1972.

Doees a factory hammer shroud add to the value of this gun?

blacarrow

A special thank you to AntiqueDr for dating my detective special around 1969. I paid approx. $300 for this gun a few days ago. It is in excellent condition. Personally I think I paid a fair price. I shot it today and the only problem is the revolver shoots quite a bit to the left from about 15 yards. The front site "appears" to be straight. Can anyone give me any advice on how to correct this problem on a fixed site gun? Maybe sending it to colt is the answer. Also, I may have this gun engraved (just for fun). Would this hurt the value of the gun?Thanks

blacarrow

Got a older DS, I would like to know what its worth and year made sn is A20005. Condition is around 90%

blacarrow

I am thinking about one of these and wondering what the trigger is like compared to the S&W model 60. thanks for your input.

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"?

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

blacarrow

Thanks to all. I have the info I needed to make a decision.