Another Pony in the Stable

[Guillermo]

found a deal on a Diamondback snub that I could not refuse.

She is less than perfect, mostly because some idiot used steel wool to try to clean up one side. Still, she is in great mechanical shape and I only gave 562 for it. (plus 20 for shipping and 10 for my FFL).

How did I swing it at that price? The auction ended during the superbowl so my competitors were busy

Lock up is perfect, bore is shiny and the trigger is what you would expect being a Diamondback.

The trigger shoe is going to have to go

She is an early model, one of the first 200 made.

Can't wait to shoot it!



besides, she looks good with the rest of the herd



Thank you for sharing in the excitement of a new toy

 

[savit260]

Nice!

 

[Olympus]

Anytime there's a new Colt revolver added to the collection it a good day! Nice score.

 

[Old Fuff]

I seldom recommend factory refinishing, but given what it is, I might make an exception. It's not only early (which is good) but also a less common snubby.

 

[Guillermo]

actually I was incorrect, it was not as early as I thought.

They stated at D1001 in 1966.

This one is D122X

(according to Proofhouse.com)

My other one is from the end of 1969.
D371XX

So Old Fuff, you think that there is a quality difference?

Mechanically I can't see a difference or feel a difference with the exception of the newer one has a lighter trigger by a smidge.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nice score...Yep, I send it back to Colt for a makeover.

 

[420Stainless]

Very nice. Looks like you got some sophisticated breeding stock in your herd. All but the significantly jealous part of me hopes you have a lot of fun with your new Diamondback.

 

[Guillermo]

Yes, I think the herd is looking okay. The Cobra on the bottom has little finish. It is what I carry when I know I am going to have to leave it in the car to go into places like a school.

The Detective Special is nothing much except that it is like new. If it could help me acquire an Officers Target or a 4 inch Diamondback it could disappear.

I think that the Colt revolvers have caught up and perhaps surpassed the Smiths in number.

 

[brnmuenchow]

Great catch, enjoy!

 

[Old Fuff]

So Old Fuff, you think that there is a quality difference?

As a rule of thumb (and of course they're individual exceptions) when it comes to Colt revolvers based on the 1908 design pattern, older is better.

That's because they were labor intensive, and as time went by Colt's brain-dead, bean counter management tried to reduce the amount of skilled hand labor that was required, without realizing what it would do to the quality. They should have introduced their 1970's line at least 20 years earlier, but none were bright enough to see the handwriting on the wall.

One of they're worst mistakes was to let older, more experienced and skilled employees go so that they could replace them with less expensive new hires. This was typical of management's thinking, but when it came to making something that dated from the first decade of the 20th century anyone in the industry that knew anything, knew it wouldn't work - and it didn't.

Ultimately this led to a double whammy - increased prices that made them non-competitive against S&W and Ruger, while quality dropped. Then they started dropping non-profitable models without introducing new ones to take they're place. Now this once leading American manufacturer is down to two basic platforms -the 1873 Single Action Army and 1911 Pistol, both of which are produced in greater quantities by others then by the originator.

 

[snooperman]

Nice find, I love the little Colts...

That said, I like it the way it is , a nice carry piece and no need to refinish. Have fun with it.

 

[Guillermo]

Thanks Old Fuff.

Of course the "older is better" theory is something that I embrace.

In fact I am letting a Target Masterpiece go to someone else, instead waiting for an Officers Target from the 30's.

I just asked because you know so damned much that you might have said something to the effect of "Yes, your 1969 is not near as good because Old Harv left the company in 66 to care for his old border collie Bubba and the Diamondback line really suffered mostly because they moved Sigmund from the Python line and he took it out on them by filing down the firing pins"

 

[Standing Wolf]

Nice!

I'll second that.

 

[SaxonPig]

I was going to say that the snubby D'back is seldom seen but Hell, you have three of them!

Hoarder...

 

[Old Fuff]

Yes, your 1969 is not near as good because Old Harv left the company in 66 to care for his old border collie Bubba and the Diamondback line really suffered mostly because they moved Sigmund from the Python line and he took it out on them by filing down the firing pins.

Trouble is, given the way things were, you just might be right... :banghead:

 

[Guillermo]

Now Saxon,

A- I only have two
B- YOU are calling ME a hoarder? Dude...you have one of the most amazing gun collections known to man.
How many D-back snubs do you have? 17?

 

[Guillermo]

Okay guys,

Now I need advice.

Old Fuff suggested a return to Colt for a factory refinish.

My first thought was "nah...she's a shooter". Well then I took her to the shop and put her under the bright lights and took out the magnifiers. The a-hole destroyed the finish much more than I originally thought in regular light.

(BTW, the seller was very honest about the finish...so I was told before I bought it. He took the best photos that he could. Good guy.)

If a gun has honest holster wear I consider that character. This is evidence of abuse which is more offensive.

I am leaning towards sending the old girl for a refinish.

The question is Colt or a quality company like Ford's?

What kind of cost am I looking at?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd go with Colt. The price is right around 3 bills....or you can sell it to me and I'll do the refinish and throw it in my pile of Colt snubs....

 

[Guillermo]

maybe I should send it to you...

your breeding program seems to lack diversity

The problem is that my daughter has said that she does not expect to inherit anything except the guns...and she REALLY wants the old Colts. She might not ever forgive me if I send it to your herd.

(not that she is poorly armed...I gave her a recessed and pinned Model 19 for her 15th birthday. Nearing her 18th birthday she wants a WWII vintage 1911. I REALLY love that girl)

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Definitely spring for the refinish and hang onto to it for your daughter if she is into guns...

Lacks diversity?....Hey, there's one in that pic that's different from all the rest.