Colt Det Spec serial number ?

[Hawk]

I finally got around to checking some serial numbers on a couple revolvers I hadn't checked before.

On my one and only Detective Special the crane has big "X" under what appears to be the serial number. Is it part of the serial number or indicative of something else, like the "M" on early S&W 686s?

It would be either C594xx or C594xx X.

Perhaps it indicates a refinish? The thing seems a little too new for something that's been around since 1973, if I'm reading "proofhouse" right. The hammer sides are white if that helps.

An older pic from when I got it a bit over a year ago:

It's a shooter - I'm only curious about the serial number as I'd like to get it right for my records only.

 

[Jim K]

The gun dates from 1974. I have no idea what the "X" means, but it is not a normal part of the serial number. Possibilities are a replacement frame, factory repair, or some after factory mark.

Jim

 

[Guillermo]

C26001-C60000 shows to be 1973 according to the Proof House.

I do not know what the "x" means

There is one man that would know, that fountain of knowledge, Old Fuff.

He'll be along soon

 

[Jim K]

My error, 1973 it is.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

"X" marks the spot of course...

It isn't part of the serial number, and I suspect it is either an inspector's stamp (they had human inspectors back then), or a sub-assembly mark, in which case the same "X" should be stamped on the inside of the crane.

I don't think the gun's been refinished because it look too crisp. When they were factory refinished they were stamped on the frame under the stocks.

Since Hawk is so descouraged over Colt revolvers I will make him my unusually gennerous offer of $25.00 plus shipping costs, so that he won't have to put up with it.

 

[Guillermo]

Told ya OF would know!

He knows everything about old revolvers.

But Hawk, he is trying to cheat you. I'll give you...are you ready?



Forty dollars![/I][/LEFT]

Yes, I know, a wild man but hey, I am a generous guy!

 

[Old Fuff]

You'd better be careful... Yo is a'gettin crosswise w'd da Old Fuff....

Hawk has a low opinion of old Colts, and I see an opportunity to take him to the cleaners..Ah,... wait a minute! I mean make him a great deal...

 

[Hawk]

Since Hawk is so descouraged over Colt revolvers...

Only Pythons, Fuff, only Pythons.
They have made me a little, unh, gun-shy about the earlier Colts generally but that little guy above has been good fun and trouble free.

Dang, it is a big "X", though. A little mystery never hurt anyone though. (It is on the crane below the "real" serial number).

 

[Guillermo]

Gee Old Fuff,

The idea of getting crosswise with the "revolver sage" is far from my mind. Obviously you have not kept up with the escalating prices of Colts.

40 bucks may be a bit generous but not TOO far above fair market value.

Call it "speculating on futures"

 

[Old Fuff]

Obviously you have not kept up with the escalating prices of Colts.

What you mean!!!!

Before I made that post I checked my 1932 Colt price list to be sure I was being more then fair...

Tis' folks like you that is causing inflation and Global Warming...

 

[Hawk]

Pricing does appear to be nutso - one similar to mine showed up in the dealer's counter marked at 499.00. That's up around 150.00 in the year since I got mine.

At 350.00 it was roughly equal to a contemporary S&W and made some sense if one was in the market for a smallish revolver. Looks like those days are gone and the thing has become a "collector".

I am feeling a bit "snake bit" from the Python luck but the DS preceeded the trauma and is therefor immune. Good thing too, it's a nice little product. Still, I find myself now thinking in terms of the "Mk" series going forward - it'll let me play in the cosmetically challenged supply pool without fretting over whether the thing was ill-used or ill-smithed.

Should the DS ever need maintenance, it'll be for sale and Fuff will be at the top of the list.


Guess I better get to shooting it more...

 

[Guillermo]

???

Hey Hawk,

What do you mean Old Fuff is at the top of the list. I offered you $15 more than he did!!!

As to those crazy prices you are reading about on the net...don't believe it. Those are written by the same guys that say putting magnets on your gas line will increase mileage.




Seriously,
Nice piece. I have a DS and it is my favorite snubby.

 

[Old Fuff]

Oh Go Away!!!!!

I need the practice and experience in case I decide to go into politics or sell used cars...

Besides I can see that my sales technique isn't working on Hawk. I need to do some polishing...

 

[Tim Burke]

I have a Det. Spec. from about then (C23xxx) and underneath the SN on the frame, but not on the crane, is a "G".

 

[Hawk]

I have a Det. Spec. from about then (C23xxx) and underneath the SN on the frame, but not on the crane, is a "G".

To clarify: the big 'ole "X" is on the frame, under the serial number and behind, rather than on, the crane.

So, some kind of big, honkin' upper case letter is normal on the "C..." range of serial numbered Detective Specials? I love a mystery.

 

[Old Fuff]

I think you will find that it isn't much of a mystery.

Colt used (and still uses) letter and number codes to identify that a particular part or parts have passed certain production procedures or been inspected to insure complience with standards or blueprints. Back in the days when they were making military arms it got even more interesting because government inspectors would join in and stamp their own marks.

Some Colt products, the 1911 pistol in particular have been extensively researched and the exact meaning of the letter/number codes identified - even to the point of the name of the person that made them. But we haven't got that far with late 19th and 20th century double-action revolvers because in the past, and to some degree the present, they're hasn't been much collector interest. This though is changing.

 

[Tim Burke]

To clarify: the big 'ole "X" is on the frame, under the serial number and behind, rather than on, the crane.

That's exactly where the "G" is, too. Inside and actually on the crane the entire SN appears, without the extra letter underneath.

 

[Hawk]

Some Colt products, the 1911 pistol in particular have been extensively researched and the exact meaning of the letter/number codes identified - even to the point of the name of the person that made them.

Interesting. Whoever "X" was, he's allright by me - did a nice job.

 

[Guillermo]

Come on Old Fuff!!!

you have so many revolvers in your herd. I only have 2 Colts in my corral.

and my one Detective Special needs company

 

[Old Fuff]

Oh, but your's is so nice and new, and mine are old and nearly worn out...

The poor Old Fuff will take contrubutions...

 

[Guillermo]

It's not new, it was made 33 years ago!

The poor old Guillermo is in need of more livestock on the spread.

that is why I offered such a crazy high price.

Pure desperation!

 

[Hawk]

It does seem a pity that the nicer DSs are becoming "collectible". I'm probably old fashioned but it seems to me the shooting community is diminished every time a brand/model mutates into a "collector" that's likely to be doomed to spend the rest of its life in a dark, humidity controlled safe sitting on a velvet pillow.

The asking prices for pristine DSs look to be closing in on current production lockless lemon squeezers and any number of magical alloy pocket revolvers. When that happens it will effectively cease to be an option for anyone simply wanting a nice small revolver.

Presumably the well-worn examples will be exempt from nutball pricing but as Fuff has noted, Hawk's history with used Colts has not been all sunshine and buttercups - probably wouldn't have bought the DS had I not bought it before I was "Python snake bit", as it were. But I'll admit to being glad I got it - it is nice. Probably wouldn't have the nerve to do it again, though.