[Bart Noir]

Just bought one and it seems to be a later manufacture wheelgun, towards the end of the blued DS production. The underlugged (second style) barrel has a red sight insert, which I have never seen on a real Detective Special or a photo of one. Is this a "special" gun? And yes, that is a very deliberate pun.

Bart Noir

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Bart,

In the late 70's I bought a NIB Colt "Dick Special" that
was factory blue with a red front sight insert, and a
special set pf factory wood grip's. I was told that this
was a special production run; and it had a unusal S/N
of MO 8XXX.

My wife's step sister needed a CCW piece, so I ended
up selling the .38 caliber snubbie to her. Shame on me
for letting that one get away!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Snake Eyes]

I have had several Colt wheelies with the red insert. Most seem to be '80's manufacture, but one was a first edition Detective Special in .32 NP with a '60's mfr date. The insert appeared to be factory. I just couldn't stand the look of it, so I sold the gun.

There is a guy over on the Colt Forums (http://www.unitedforums.com/cgi-bin/cfcgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro) that seems to know everything there is to know about Colt Revolvers. I'd go post the question over there so we can all get educated.

Peter