[38snapcaps]

I was watching a 1951 police drama this afternoon. Twice the dispatcher said over the patrol car radio, "suspect is armed with a blue nose revolver". The first time I said, "What!? Ten minutes later another crime had been committed and I heard it again, so there is not a chance he said snubnose revolver.

Is that an old term for the time period, or did it mean something else?

[rcmodel]

I don't think it is an old term of the period.

I've never heard of it before.

Most likely a typo or error in the script.

rc

[Beelzy]

I want to see the Red-Nosed one myself.

[captain awesome]

wonder if they have blue eyed revolvers too

[Dr.Rob]

Script error, it happens.

[jaydubya]

Keep in mind that Hollywood does this all the time. My favorite film goof was in Key Largo, when Edward G. Robinson stuck an unloaded Colt Pocket Model (1903 or '08) into Humphrey Bogart's gut and pulled the trigger twice -- click click. Fortunately Bogart later shot Robinson with that same pistol -- bang bang -- so I guess it balances out.

Cordially, Jack

[tekarra]

It is a revolver from Nova Scotia.:D

[MikeJackmin]

I think it refers to the Blue Laws - this is a revolver that can't get loaded on a Sunday.

[MikeJackmin]

OTOH, a stainless snub with a blued barrel might look pretty cool...

[38snapcaps]

Talked with a gunsmith friend of mine this morning. He thinks the dispatcher used that phrase to identify the suspect's gun because nickle plated revolvers were common back then.