Colt Detective Special mfg. dates

[Krag]

I recently picked up a Colt Detective Special and am attempting to find out when it was manufactured. Is there a website with the information or can anyone here assist me?

Many thanks.

 

[EghtySx]

Call the customer service phone number on the Colt website. I have called and they will look it up and tell you right then.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Depending on how late mfg went, some of have little blue books by RL Wilson called "Colt's date of Manufacture... if you post your SN with thee last two digits xxed out we can help. (ie A436xx)

Hope we can help.

Rob

 

[Krag]

Doc - many thanks. #8619xx

 

[FPrice]

#8619xx

According to RL Wilson, early 1965. Can you post a pic?

 

[Krag]

Don't have a photo yet but it's a gem. 99%+ condition and it has a 3" barrel!

Thanks for the info.

 

[Standing Wolf]

99%+ condition and it has a 3" barrel!

Don't keep us in suspense, please! Let's see pictures!

This sounds like a matter for dfariswheel, I'd say.

 

[FPrice]

it has a 3" barrel!

I did not know that Colt made a DS with a 3" barrel.

 

[Krag]

Well, they made at least one!

No, the 3" tube was available for a number of years. I don't know how common they were as this is the very first one I've ever seen.

 

[FPrice]

Krag...

No, the 3" tube was available for a number of years.

Ya learn something new every day!

 

[BluesBear]

The 3" models were catalogued in the 1960 but very few were produced in comparison to the 2" models. In the 1980s Numrich had a bunch of the leftover 3" DS barrels for sale.

 

[plateshooter]

another DS

While your checking how about s/n 563XXR.

Thank you

 

[FPrice]

plateshooter...

While your checking how about s/n 563XXR.

Sure. Looks like late 1978. You are lucky, this is about as far as Wilson's book goes for dates.

 

[plateshooter]

Thanks Frosty, I appreciate that information.

 

[FPrice]

plateshooter...

Thanks Frosty, I appreciate that information.

You are welcome. Actually, answering questions like this helps me by making me research and learn different aspects of firearms. Fer instance I learned that the DS came in 3" barrel lengths, something I did not know before.

 

[BluesBear]

And don't forget that Colt also produced the Detective Special in .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W.



Although they didn't call them that. The boys in Hartfort referred to those chamberings as .32 Colt New Police and .38 Colt New Police.

 

[Thirties]

At this website click on the appropriate Colt handgun from the list on the left.

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


.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Now, THAT'S useful

Thirties, thanks for posting that link. I have a copy of Wilson & Sutherland's Book of Colt Firearms on the shelf above my monitor. The book is getting pretty worn, it is heavy, and it takes a while to locate the serial number range for a specific model.

I like hitting a Bookmark and pulling the lists up on the screen.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Thirties]

The only problem is that data for the newer guns is not included.

 

[Sparky]

Thanks for the link again. Just checked the SN on my DS 3" (they made at least 2!) It's a 1970 gun.