Colt Detective Special

[Cocked & Locked]

Att: Cocked & Locked my friend-

I know this is just a guess on my part, but for some reason the initials
NPD make me think maybe it stands for Newark (NJ) Police Department?
It would be exciting too forward an inquiry to their deaprtment, to find
out for sure.

Cocked & Locked: could it be the Norfolk Police Department? That might actually make a certain amount of sense, considering you are from N.C.

Newark and Norfolk are to good guesses. Some folks also suggest Niagara and Nashville.

I did call Colt Customer Service one time. The answer I got was, "...could be any city or count police department that begins with a N."

The gun was probably not butt stamped by Colt anyways, and a Colt Factory Letter is way to expensive.

 

[Slamfire]

I took this 1937 vintage DS out to the range this weekend. The top strap on this revolver is not "scalloped" right above the barrel as are earlier DS's and Police Positives.

I have always suspected that this is a cop gun, judging from the wear on the right and left sides of the butt.

Still shoots straight. Offhand, I consistantly hit my 25 yard 12" gong target, and occasionally hit my 12" gong at 50 yards. It is not easy hitting anything (except the berm) offhand at 50 yards with a snubbie!

 

[IsoMAcK]

Colt DS Club Membership Application

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I like the Tyler T-grips that you have there, SlamFire. I'll bet they improve the handling. My DS has some carry wear from the years, but it locks up tighter than some new Smiths that I own. I have to agree with Bill in NH that the trigger is one of the best. In SA it is as good as my 60's model 27.

-IsoMAcK

 

[megatronrules]

Does this count?,is so heres mine a 1972 cobra

 

[Catbird]

My AGENT and Detective Special -

 

[MJ2008]

Colt D.S.

I bought a vintage Colt D.S. from a retired Detective last week. I called up Colt and I was told it was from 1964. Its finish shows quite a bit of holster wear but mechanically looks fine. It has the original wood grips with the silver colt emblem on them. Im really looking forward to trying it out the next couple of weeks.

 

[Storm]

To add to my shrouded Detective Special I just picked up this great older DS with grips in pretty good shape. I'm amazed at how the size/weight compares very favorably with my five shot M36.

 

[hinton03]

Here's mine. Have been a fan of the S&W snubbie for years but this is my first DS. Unfired as of yet.

How did you get large pics to post; I can only figure out thumbnails?

 

[krs]

1938....

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I picked one up at a gun shop once and loved it. Ever since I've wanted one, but I keep hearing that the parts are no longer made and they are very difficult to service. That's why I'm now looking at the Ruger SP101. Any reason I should reconsider?

 

[Guillermo]

lovesbeer

Ruger makes good weapons but coming from a Colt you might be unhappy with the fit, finish, trigger pull and weight of your new revolver.

 

[MJ2008]

Colt D.S.

My Colt Detective Special dates to 1964. Purchased it a couples of months back from a retired Detective. The bluing is pretty worn from holster wear and the grips also seem pretty weathered but it seems like the timing is good and the inside of the barrel looks good. I havent fired it yet but Im pretty certain it will shoot fine. Im seriously considering sending it to Colt for a a tuneup and to have it refinished in Colts Royal Blue. I plan on shooting it several times a year and using it as a carry s.d. gun. I have no plans on making it a safe queen or making a fortune selling it to a collector years from now. I just would like to have it looking and functioning like it was when it was new.

 

[SwampWolf]

Bought my 1968 vintage, unfired Cobra with box and papers (including unfilled-out warranty card) for $510.00 last year. I may well have paid too much but I have always wanted an "unshrouded" Detective Special or Cobra so I went for it. I opted for the Cobra strictly because I got it for ccw and the lighter weight for that purpose makes sense to me over the heavier, steel DS.

Because the Cobra was in such nice condition, the folks at the Colt forum implored me to not shoot/carry it; to buy a "shooter" and sell mine to a collector who would better appreciate the condition. I gave the matter a lot of thought (they do have a point) but in the end decided to proceed with my original plans: I shoot it and carry it. It's not a Dragoon and never will be. It was made to use. And so I do.

 

[FLRon]

I'm really enjoying all the pics. Here is my contribution.

 

[popeye]

Well I lucked into the nickel Cobra Sunday for pretty cheap. The blue Cobra is .32 NP. I carry a blue .38 spec Cobra all the time.

 

[MJ2008]

My Detective Special

heres my Colt Detective Special

 

[Trapper336]

Here's my application to join.
a Fitz
pic one Colt grips
pic two rubber grips
pic three same gun with my home made birdseyes my fave.

 

[444marlin]

good for you swampwolf, your gun your decision. the only thing I would have done differently would be to ask the colt forum guys to trade me 2 user DS's or similar for the unfired one.

I will post pics of my agent when I get home from florida it is a beautiful snubby that I have to keep stealing back from my wife.

 

[pbslinger]

I got lucky at the pawn shop one day and found a NIB less common 3" model. I don't get to shoot it.

 

[TheVirginian]

I have a Cobra. I don't really notice any difference in any of these 2" guns other than the shroud/no shroud for the cylinder release. I take it that the Cobra has an alloy frame to reduce weight and the Detective does not? What about an Agent, what's its quirk?
-Bill

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Cobra and Agent have alloy frames, the DS steel. An Agent is like a Cobra except for shorter grips.

 

[mnw42]

Trapper336, If that is an original Fitz then I bow be fore your shear awesomeness.


Did the checker the top of the hammer?

 

[Trapper336]

mnw42,
No bowing, I got it from a retired Major of the police force in a city close to me here in ND He did not know much about it. Whoever did it did an excellent job. No checkers on the hammer.
I pack it when I go to town, other wise I carry a larger piece.

 

[Ruodo]

I bought my first Colt Detective Special a week or two ago. Its in .38 Colt New Police and has colt plastic grips. Kinda different but I love it.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Took me awhile to find the correct grips for the Cobra. Landed the aged ivory for the Detective Special on ebay. I am now a very happy man. The DS is particularly butter smooth on the action, and has a bit of wear, so I plan to carry that one when the mood strikes me. It won't be a safe queen.

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