Colt 38 Detective Special - Age Question

[CTGunner]

I just acquired a Colt 38 Detective Special. I'm pretty excited about it. The trigger feels great, though I haven't fired it yet. A few questions?

1. Can you guys help me pin point an approximate date of manufacture? The SN is 4287XX. The shop that sold it to me looked it up in their book and told me 1970. When I look online I'm coming up with 1934.

2. If this was made in 1934 should I have any concerns with shooting it extensively and/or not shooting some types of ammo through it?

3. Is the gun 'safe to carry'. I can't tell if there is a firing pin block etc....Should I have any concerns.

4. What would an approximate value on this be?

Thanks revolver guys!

 

[Guillermo]

1934

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

beautiful gun

perhaps the finest snubby ever made

and the 1st Generations were the best of the best

great gun

 

[bikemutt]

perhaps the finest snubby ever made

Until the S&W model 19 came along

 

[rcmodel]

3. Is the gun 'safe to carry'. I can't tell if there is a firing pin block etc....Should I have any concerns.

No, it has a hammer block safety.

Look inside the frame with the hammer cocked and you can see it..

rc

 

[CTGunner]

Thanks guys. The kid who looked it up in the book didn't seem like he had much experience.

Any idea of a ball park price for something like this. I paid 400 out the door but feel like it was probably more than I should have because of the extreme demand for all guns in my state right now.

I asked someone about refinishing it and he said not to do it and to keep it original.

 

[rcmodel]

You didn't get hurt at $400.

A little nicer one might bring $600+ now days.

+1 on not refinishing it.

rc

 

[CTGunner]

Thanks RC. Appreciate your quick responses. Now I'm off to find a holster

 

[bikemutt]

A DS found at a gun store around here for $400 would mean the shopkeep lost his mind. $500 minimum IMO. I know of a very, very nice nickel one at a LGS asking $1100 firm.

 

[CTGunner]

A DS found at a gun store around here for $400 would mean the shopkeep lost his mind. $500 minimum IMO. I know of a very, very nice nickel one at a LGS asking $1100 firm.

That's pretty funny. The shop I bought it from told me it was a police trade in from a local department, I don't know. Maybe there are just more Colts floating around in central CT because of the proximity to the Colt plant. Again, not sure.

 

[KC&97TA]

I paid $440, mine has less blue.

GunsAmerica seems to keep them selling in the $400-$800 range dependent on condition.

I carry it almost daily, IWB... no issues, ever.

Finest 6 shooter snub ever made, IMHO.

Very Iconic pistol; Bonnie Parker had one taped to her leg when she was mowed down by the feds, Naked Gun Movie, ect, ect.

 

[CTGunner]

I would really like to carry it though it's a bit weird to think about holstering something that is 79 years old!

I showed my father and he said 'old school'.

I just read this:

Bonnie’s Colt .38 Detective Special, retrieved by Hamer from her inner thigh where she kept it taped with white medical tape, sold for $264,000. They were both purchased by the same person, a Texas collector who wishes to remain anonymous.

 

[bikemutt]

They were both purchased by the same person, a Texas collector who wishes to remain anonymous.

Shhh, it was Guillermo, he tries to keep it quiet

 

[highpower]

I bought this 1977 DS a couple of months ago for $500 OTD. I feel that I got a fair deal. I would have paid what you did for yours in a heartbeat.

 

[CTGunner]

Do you guys have any idea where I can get an IWB holster for one of these. I'm looking online but not seeing much in the way of in stock. I would buy a custom holster for it but I'm not sure who makes them. Advise?

 

[bikemutt]

One place to check for holsters: http://www.ccwsupply.biz/RGLColtDetectiveSpcl.htm

 

[DPris]

I wouldn't fire it extensively, parts & service are all but gone.
Denis

 

[cochise]

http://www.lobogunleather.com/1_home

http://bellcharteroakholsters.com/index.htm

I heard good things about these two makers. I had good luck buying used Bianchi holsters for my Colt Detective & Diamondback on E Bay.

 

[DPris]

Bianchi & Galco do great quality stuff.
Denis

 

[Old Fuff]

Try a PM to one of our members, robbt. He has an extensive supply of older-but new holsters for Colt Detective Special's of every description.

 

[Guillermo]

Shhh, it was Guillermo, he tries to keep it quiet

I am trying to hide it from Old Fuff and his bench grinder. He would Fitz it if it was not in an "undisclosed location" ala Dick Cheney.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I carry my snubs in an American Pride Leathers pancake. They are able 30 bucks.

 

[CTGunner]

Per dpris' post do you agree that I should keep firing of this revolver to a minimum? I do have access to a good smith...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

It's a 400 buck gun. Shoot it all you want....Let's be honest. Very few want to put high round counts thru a snub anyway.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

one of my favorite revolvers. I have one made in the 50's I picked up about 4 years ago and was my main carry gun for a few years. A friend about a year ago told me they had one just like mine at the local pawn shop so I checked it out. It turned out to be a cobra from the 50's also , It followed me home and came with a bianchi #58HL holster which is a belt holster.

Again you have a nice revolver!

 

[CTGunner]

Thanks Jon. Sounds like a nice setup you have.