[oneounceload]

I inherited my dad's "off-duty" Colt snub-nosed 38. The only marking is the Colt horse by the cylinder latch and "38 special" on the barrel.

Inside on the crane is a 333xxx serial number, which according to Proof House, (IF it's a Detective Special), would mean it was made around 1928. My dad wasn't a cop until 1950's. It also has a faint D1 under the serial number.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Cosmoline]

Other Colts were also cut down to DS size. Can you post pics?

[oneounceload]

gonna give it a try:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/oneounceload/Colt%20snubbie/Coltsnubbie001.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/oneounceload/Colt%20snubbie/Coltsnubbie002.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk308/oneounceload/Colt%20snubbie/Coltsnubbie003.jpg

hope this works, if not give me the 50 cent tour on how to

Thanks

[Cosmoline]

Very nice piece! To my eye it does indeed appear to be a pre-square butt DS from the early first generation. That would agree with the SN info you found. I don't think it's a cutdown PPS because everything looks factory to me. Others may disagree, but that's my first impression.

Have you checked timing on it yet? What do the innards look like? The blue is obviously worn, but I wouldn't be in any hurry to get it reblued. My old Colts have always resisted rust very well with their natural patina. I keep one in a pair of cycling shorts or under my cycling arm every day, and it has never shown a sign of rust. I would suggest cleaning only with a mild cleaner like M-Pro with a layer of CLP afterwards. But do check timing and take a look see at the innards if you have the screw set to remove the plate without scratching anything.

[OFT]

Nice old revolver. Was your dad left handed?

[oneounceload]

yes he was - as am I....really surprised there is no Colt name anywhere on it, patent dates, the usual roll-mark identifiers, even the grip medallions do not say Colt, have an American Eagle type of symbol...were these all made with flat leaf springs, or did they change out to coil at some point?

Thanks again, BTW, for the assistance

[Cosmoline]

Mine has the Colt's Mfk. Co stamp on the right side of the barrel. Is yours absent or just very worn? I can't remember if Colt was stamping them or not at that stage. Mine also says "Dective Special" on the l. side of the barrel but IIRC that was added with the second gen. Your square grips and checkered walnut stocks with silver medallions really look like standard early first gen DS to me. Ditto the short ejector rod and overall thin appearance of the grip frame.

These are absolutely fantastic revolvers BTW, though you probably know that already. I would say they're the best conceal carry wheelgun ever made.

[oneounceload]

never was any stamp on the left side - if it wasn't for the horse emblem on the left, I wouldn't have had an idea.....

and I'ma thinking about it as a CCW to go along with my G26...

[sixgunner455]

That is a cool old gun. Mine is a 2nd gen, and I love it.

[dfariswheel]

The Colt Detective Special was introduced in 1927 and at the time was nothing more then a Police Positive Special with a 2" barrel.
I "seem" to remember that very early guns didn't even have the Detective Special name on them yet.

The grips are a later replacement, since factory walnut grips always had silver medallions with the Colt pony logo.
The "eagle" medallions were common to replacements made in the 60's.
Your gun has all the pre-war features like the checkered cylinder release, "half moon" front sight, short ejector rod with the pre-war rod head, and the square butt which was standard on the DS until 1933 when it was changed to the famous rounded butt.
The "D1" on the frame is an inspectors stamp.

While it wasn't common for cops in the 50's to carry a gun made in the 20's, it's not unheard of either.
Often cops bought guns from older cops.

[Cosmoline]

If timing is good and the lockwork in good shape you could carry that thing now.

[oneounceload]

Thanks to all for the help and info.....now I'll start on his S&W service gun.....:)