Colt agent experts needed, pls help me id this revolver!

[Bowtech]

I just bought what was advertised to be a Colt Agent 1956 at auction. I have not paid for it yet, as I can not be certain what it is. I am attaching photos. It seems that the finish would make it an 83 or 84 "flat black" finished model. And it almost looks like the grips are not original, or were sanded. I have not seen anything but checkered wooden grips on an agent, or smooth plastic some years. Also, when I pull up google images of 1956 colt agent, the ejection rod is exposed. This one is shrouded, which would fit in better with the 83 or 84 finish.

The seller says the seriel number is W48713. I can not find that serial number in the Colt list , even looking at other models, from proofhouse or the collectors site










Any idea?
The price was $399 in "excellent" condition.


Thanks,
Mario

 

[Jim Watson]

I agree with you, that is not a 1956 Agent; a 1956 Agent would have a good polish, a round barrel exposing the ejector rod, and checkered grips that did not wrap under the short butt. The illustrated revolver does indeed look like the plain finish guns of the 1980s. A 1986 Gun Digest shows it as here, complete with uncheckered medallion grips.

It was definitely misrepresented. It looks in good condition so it is up to you to decide whether to pay for a serviceable revolver or back out and keep looking for the original version.

 

[Old Fuff]

I agree with Jim. Part of the problem is that Colt liked to recycle names. So they used the "Agent" name on a later-day /economy finish/ Detective Special or Cobra style revolver. To save money the stocks weren't checkered. They were trying to offer a revolver that could compete with Smith & Wesson's Model 36, but while the gun was a functional equal the economy bead-blast and phosphate finish didn't cut it in the marketplace.

$400.00 or slightly more will buy you a like-new or almost-like-new Detective Special or Cobra. Switch the stocks, and both would have the Agent configuration. I would tell the seller (and the auction house if necessary) that the gun was misrepresented.

 

[Bowtech]

Thanks for the help. I advised the seller he misrepresented, and I am sure he will relist it as a 1984 now.
Appreciate the information.

 

[45crittergitter]

It is aluminum or steel?

 

[Jim K]

Wait one. That gun is Parkerized and with plain wood grips. It looks like some special order, maybe government or military.

Without being able to determine anything further, it could be a real collectors piece and worth a lot more than the plain blue Agent would be.

Jim

 

[Texas Colt]

I have the exact same gun. Mine has serial number W435XX. It is a late model Agent with a matte finished anodized alloy frame and parkerized barrel and cylinder. This version was made between 1984 and 1986 when the Colt workers were on strike. I paid $325 for mine about a year ago.

 

[Jim Watson]

To quote a usually reliable source (me):
"A 1986 Gun Digest shows it as here, complete with uncheckered medallion grips."

I really doubt it is any sort of special order. They were all over the place in the 1980s. There was also a Commando Special of similar appearance but with steel frame; just a dull finish version of the Detective Special.

I think Colt was doing a parts cleanup, getting all the remaining D frames they could assemble out the door as cheaply as possible. There are NO D frame revolvers of any color in the 1988 catalog.

 

[Jim K]

Well, I have seen the "matte" or dull finish Agents, but they didn't look like that.

Maybe not just a "cheapie" version but something from a contract cancellation or over run. If I owned one, I think I would try for a Colt letter.

Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

Cancel quibble.

 

[Old Fuff]

Last week on January 18th. Greg Martin Auctions auctioned off the Colt Company's Factory Archives Firearms Collection. In it were literally hundreds of prototypes, engineering and sales samples, concept pieces and more. Item #349 may clear up some questions we have here:

Lot# 349 High Bid: $500.00 SOLD

**Colt Agent Double Action Revolver, Reduced Cost Finish, with Factory LetterSerial no. W03648. .38 Special, 2 1/16-inch shrouded barrel. Model and caliber marking on left side of barrel, maker and address in tiny stamping on right side. Matte black finish of reduced cost, including on alloy frame and sideplate. Without rampant colt logo stamping on frame or sideplate. Smooth walnut grips with gold-plated rampant colt medallion inlays, length extends below butt, exposing gripstraps. Condition: Very good to fine. Handling marks, wear. Notes: Sample and display revolver, including of lesser cost and grade finish and polish, kept by factory. Sample also in consideration of possibly returning Agent to line. Provenance: Colt Factory Archives Firearms Collection. Estimate: 550 - 750

I have a picture, that is identical to the one(s) posted on this thread, but I can't seem to get it attached without showing the whole screen rather then just a picture.

 

[Bowtech]

Well, I may buy it anyway! Thanks for all of the information!

 

[Bowtech]

I have picked this up, and will get a Colt letter. Thanks again for all of the help. I will go to the auction site to check it out. .

 

[351venom]

COLT AGENT PARKERIZED .38 SPECIAL CTG (SN AB03285)....I own one of these guns also. I bought it new in 1984 or 85 for my wife. $167 from Granberrys' Guns in Baton Rouge (closed in mid the '90s). She refused to try it. I put about 1 dozen rounds through it, when new, then put it away.Still like new. Came with smooth wood handles w/gold colt medalions on each side. Eric

 

[45crittergitter]

I'll give ya $200 plus shipping for it....

 

[Jim K]

Thanks for the education; we live and learn. That is what I like about these "ID" threads. I don't recall those guns, but someday they could be worth bucks.

It does go to show the folly of a company trying to compete by lowering quality. It doesn't work for restaurants, and it doesn't work for gun makers.

Jim

 

[rsoguy]

Colt Agent

I've also been looking for info on a Colt Agent I came across. S/N AB05398. I was always curious aout the age and history of the weapon. It's also parkerized with smooth walnut grips. Looks like its never been fired. Does anybody have a web site I could look up to find out the history?

 

[Gordon]

look on the revolver forum , currently under a colt only a mother could love.