Colt Detective Special in Stainless Steel with a 3 inch barrel

[colt1903]

Found this at a local gun shop today:

The barrel is just slightly recessed making the muzzle look a lot larger:

I tried six different defensive rounds and she seems to like the PMC Starfire +P 125 grain JHP ammo the best:

 

[Guillermo]

nice find

enjoy

 

[Billy Shears]

How I envy you. I have a 1970 vintage Detective Special with the 3 inch barrel and an unshrouded ejector rod. It's a fantastic little gun. I have been looking for years for one of the later production versions, with the full underlug, in the same barrel length. I'd prefer blued, but if I found one in stainless I'd take it in a hot minute. They are hard to find.

But I love Colts, so I keep looking.

 

[clem]

"The barrel is just slightly recessed making the muzzle look a lot larger:".

That is known as "crowning". It protects the bore.

 

[wv67]

I hate you.

Congrats on a fabulous find! My local pawn has a battered 3rd gen Cobra that he wants $700 for!

 

[Krusty]

:banghead:Sigh

 

[Old Shooter]

Nice.

A very serious looking gun.

 

[savit260]

Stainless Detective Special?

Didn't know there was such a thing other than the similar Magnum Carry.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I was wondering the same thing.


Nice find.

 

[farscott]

The gun looks like it has been hard chromed. Note the blued barrel crown.

Or is it a DS-II?

 

[btg3]

If I remember correctly, there have been a couple of auctions for 3" SS Detective Specials on Gunbroker this year that each exceeded $800.

 

[tekarra]

I did not know Colt made a SS Detective Special. Learn something new everyday. It is a fine looking revolver and a 3" barrel to boot. Congrats on the find.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I did not know Colt made a SS Detective Special. Learn something new everyday. It is a fine looking revolver and a 3" barrel to boot. Congrats on the find.

I dont think they did that is why people are inquring as to whether it is hard chromed or if it is a DS-II/SF-IV

 

[Guillermo]

my guess is DSII

 

[dfariswheel]

Colt didn't make a stainless steel Detective Special.

These guns are the new Colt "SF" frame which are stainless.
There were three versions made be Colt discontinued most revolver production in 2000.
The first was catchily named the "SF-VI" or "Small Frame-Six Shot".
This was to prevent any confusion with the "D" frame Detective Special which was still in the suppliers pipeline.

As soon as all the "D" models were out of the system, Colt renamed it as the "DS-II".
This is NOT the Detective Special Two. The official Colt name was "DS-II".

The third and last version was the "Magnum Carry":, which was chambered in .357 Magnum, the other two being in .38 Special.

The "SF" framed guns had a very short production life before being discontinued. The SF-VI began production in 1995 and production on the Magnum Carry ended in 2000.

Internally the "SF" is totally different than the "D" frame guns. The "SF" is essentially a miniature King Cobra transfer bar ignition/safety system.
No parts will interchange with the "D" frame other than grips.

 

[colt1903]

To Clarify:

 

[Kernel]

Beautiful. Can you post a higher res pic?

 

[Ala Dan]

Yes, I too like the original Colt Detective Specials; as well as other "D" frame
Colts [ie: Cobra and Agent]. I have a total of 3, 2nd series (1947-1972) DS's
unshrouded, 2x are blued models from 1966; with the other being a factory
nickel model from 1971. The '71 model has only beeen test fired a total of 6
times; or one cylinder full. Also, I own a late 1972 or very early 1973 Colt
Agent [with the shrouded ejector rod]; and its also quite a charming little
weapon. Long story short, I bought it off an older gentleman (probably 80+)
for only $120 U.S. cash dollars~!

 

[miss lead]

I am very envious. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Congratulations on a great find.

 

[BCCL]

Nice score!!!!

 

[tekarra]

dfariswheel,
Thank you for your insightful and informative post. It is good to read new items and learn the background of weapons.