Colt Detective Special - wood grips -original?

[john-ranger]

I'm looking at a couple of mid 70's to early 80's Colt Detective Specials. I notice that each of them has a different (different shape of the wood, significant color differences, etc) pair of wood stocks on them. Is there any reference site on the web that shows what Colt used for wood stocks on their Detective Specials??

 

[22-rimfire]

You might check out the Colt Forum. Some of the guys post here too. I can't answer your question authoritatively.

 

[MM]

These grips are OEM on my 2nd generation DS.
MM

 

[Checkman]

That is a great looking DS. 3" barrel?

 

[MM]

Good eye, Checkman, it came with no box or frills, but it is only the second one I have ever seen, in person, so to speak. I have a two inch model, in box and a little nicer, overall, but I scoped this one for a coupla months at the Nashville Goodman show and "pulled the trigger" on it for about four bills, if I recall correctly.
Thanks for looking!
MM

 

[dfariswheel]

Here's the standard Colt Detective Special grips.
This info is for Colt Detective Special ONLY, other Colt small frame guns like the Diamondback used other style grips.

Note the following:
From 1927 to 1933, the DS had the same square butt as the Police Positive Special. After 1933 they used a round butt grip frame on the DS.

From 1927 to 1950, all Colt small frame revolvers had a long grip frame.
In 1950 Colt introduced the aluminum framed Cobra and Agent.
The Agent was intended to be a deep concealment gun, so the grip frame was changed to a "stubby" square bottom grip.
The DS and Cobra retained the old style long grip until 1965, when to simplify production ALL Colt small frame revolvers went to the "Stubby grip.

Here's the difference on frames:


The early Colt DS grips from 1927 to 1972 were fully checkered Walnut with Silver Colt medallions.


After 1965, the DS grips overlapped on the bottom of the short "Stubby" frame to give a longer grip:


In 1972 Colt introduced the heavy shrouded barrel model with the wrap around "combat" grips.


Over the years, Colt also sold as optional, the Pachmayr "Compac" rubber grips with Gold Colt Medallions.
The last issue 1990's Detective Special had the Pachmayr grips as standard.

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

I just ordered some walnut originals from Numrich of NY. Cost 14.50 plus shipping. Screw sold seperately. I should see them in the mail in another day or two and I can post pics.

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

Arg...they came in the mail today. They are for the short grip frame detective special.

 

[Old Fuff]

All is not lost. If you are careful you can sand down that little step at the bottom to get the flat panels you need. At one time Colt was selling modified short-frame stocks as replacements for the full frame model. Other then that step at the bottom the two styles of grips are identical.

 

[batmann]

I have a set of grips with original screw and medalion, the do have the little 'step' at the bottom. I you have need of another set, let me know.
I'm not sure if my e-mail will show, but I will watch this post and give it to you.

 

[Jumpin4Joy]

I just received a set of wood grips, made in Indonesia. I cut down the butt about 1/4 inch.

 

[dfariswheel]

Those appear to have been made for the Colt Diamondback.
Since all the later Colt small frames could use the same grips, this is something you see from time to time.

Here's a pair of factory Diamondback grips: