Colt Detective Special question...

[bangkok]

I picked up a "Dick" Special with an ejector shroud and what I believe is either Coltguard or a refin. It also has the older wood grips on it and not the walnut combat grips that came after 1972, so I know that the grips are not original to the gun. The lockup on it is as tight as can be and it is in minty shape.

I can't find the s/n date, as most sites end at 1978. On the paper work they put s/n 824778 which puts it at 1963, but as I stated it has a shroud and maybe Coltguard. I went back and had them bring it out of "10 day jail" (I'm in CA.) and under the s/n is the letter B. I assume that the B is a post fix, s/n being 824778B? Any "detectives" able to help me out here?

Also, while checking it out again looking at the s/n, I again noticed that the rollmarks on the barrel were sharp and nice, which led me to believe that it is not a refin, but as I handed it back over to the salesman I noticed that the pony on the side is almost not visable! Now I think it must be a refin and not Coltguard! Anything else I should look for, being that the writing on the barrel are sharp but not on the frame?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Guillermo]

pics would help

 

[bangkok]

It is currently in the 10 day cool down period, so I don't have it yet. I will try and stop by the shop tomorrow and take some shots of it.

 

[popeye]

The hammer should be unfinished and the flat of the hammer sides should be flat out to the edge. If there's the slightest rounding where flats meet back edge of hammer the gun has been polished prior to refinish.

 

[bangkok]

Thanks, I will check that today when I go to see it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Does it have the "short butt" frame where the stocks wrap around the bottom, or the original "long butt" one where they don't? The frame was changed in 1966 (long butt to short), with long butt guns ending at around serial # 890,800. The shrouded barrel was introduced in 1972 or '73.

Standard finishes were blue or polished nickel plate during the time period when your revolver was made (1963). I would consider anything else was likely a refinish until proven otherwise. It is also possible that an older gun was re-barreled with a newer shrouded barrel.

 

[bangkok]

"Standard finishes were blue or polished nickel plate during the time period when your revolver was made (1963). I would consider anything else was likely a refinish until proven otherwise. It is also possible that an older gun was re-barreled with a newer shrouded barrel. "

I was thinking the same thing, that the frame is 1963 (yes, it has the older thin wood grips) and the barrel was newer and factory Coltguard. So maybe only the frame was factory refin'ed?

Also, does the serial with a letter under it look normal or would that indicate something else? Serial looks like this:

824778
B

The B is centered under the s/n. Any thoughts?

 

[Old Fuff]

I was thinking the same thing, that the frame is 1963 (yes, it has the older thin wood grips) and the barrel was newer and factory Coltguard. So maybe only the frame was factory refin'ed?

Sorry, but without seeing the gun I can't tell you. But I would expect that the whole gun was refinished - most likely when the barrel was changed. "Coltguard" was regular nickel that was beadblasted after it was plated. It wouldn't be hard for an aftermarket refinisher to duplicate - or it might have even been done at Colt.

Also, does the serial with a letter under it look normal or would that indicate something else? Serial looks like this:

824778
B

The "B" is an inspector's stamp, and not part of the serial number.

 

[deputy tom]

I remember Colt's making Commando Specials in the mid 1980's that were just Detective Specials with what they refered to as Matte finish.Looked like a flat black parkerized gun with reugh looking wood grips.I don't know if this helps as I don't follow serial numbers in relation to DOB.tom.

 

[popeye]

I had a Commando in the DS format. Steel frame, finished in almost OD Park. Short frame, shrouded barrel. Another shoulda kept it.

 

[bangkok]

"The "B" is an inspector's stamp, and not part of the serial number"

I have a mint 1962 DS, I can't believe I didn't get her out to compare s/n! My 1962 also has the "B" under the s/n and a 7 at the bottom!

I also checked out the Commando Special theory and it's a no go. The gun in question most likely is re-barreled and refin'ed! It is for sure a 1963 frame and a later barrel. Either I need to get most of my money back or all of it!

 

[popeye]

Things like this are perplexing about used guns. Was it an original 4" rebarreled and refinished for concealment/carry. That would be my guess. The price and intended use would be the deciding factor about attempt for compensation. If it was represented as a factory production model and priced accordingly, I'd have to think that was no deal.

 

[bangkok]

It was sold to me as an original 80's in Coltguard finish! And priced as such!!

 

[Old Fuff]

This one is hard to call...

Generally speaking the workmanship on an early 60's gun was better then what came later. Colt had not yet fired they're better craftsmen so they could be replaced with less costly labor, and at the time the serious union upsets hadn't come about. for that reason the "long frame" production is considered to be better then what came later.

The later shrouded barrel and refinishing knocks out any formal collector's value, but might make it more atractive as a working gun. Do be aware that getting original or aftermarket stocks for a "long frame" can be difficult and expensive.

If the barrel was replaced by someone who knew what they were doing it might not be such a bad deal. But I would insist on a written agreement that I could return it for a full refund if a shooting trial didn't prove the gun was worth the price - and given what the gun is I would try to get a better price or some other consideration.

Don't be surprised if the seller tells you to walk. From his perspective the next potentional buyer probably won't have done any homework.

They hate people like you...

 

[bangkok]

I walked into the shop and said who I was (they kind of already know me) and they called the manager out of the back, he already knew what I was there regarding and told me he was sorry that they did not reseach the gun a little more (it is a consignment piece) and that they would refund all of my money!

I asked if they would sell it to me cheap as a shooter and they told me that they needed to talk to the owner of the gun first. I should have bought the mint S&W 12-3 snubbie that my 12 year old son wanted instead of the Colt! It's still sitting there in the case though!

 

[popeye]

You probably know: 12-3 still has the skinny frame. Not real sturdy. Original grips are tough to find. (you can modify standard grips to fit easy) A nice one is worth $400. I turned down a %90 pinto 12-2 SB for $250 last week. (I know that you know that I know you didn't know that last part.)