How to determine if a Colt Detective Special is pre or post 1971?

[Silent Bob]

I've had my eye on a nice little Colt Detective Special at a local shop. It looks a lot like this:

Grips are identical to the ones in the pic, which have got to go (they fit my hand horribly). I prefer Pachmayrs on revolvers. MidwayUSA lists both pre-1971 and post-1971 grips. How do I determine which to order if I decide to pick up this gun?

Also any additional information on what to look for or check on this particular snubby would be greatly appreciated, as well as recommendations for an IWB holster.

 

[BigG]

The older Colts had specific length gripframes where the D/S and Cobra had one length and the Agent had a shorter frame and grips. The post 1971 (I guess) all had the shorter gripframe and made up the extra length in the wood. You can see the wood overlap at the bottom on the newer gripframes.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Check the serial number....

Police Positive Special & Detective Special
1908 1
1909 13000
1910 22500
1911 35500
1912 51000
1913 65000
1914 90000
1915 110000
1916 125000
1917 143000
1918 145000
1919 162000
1920 190000
1921 225000
1922 242000
1923 270000
1924 283000
1925 309000
1926 325000
1927 331000
1928 333000
1929 373000
1930 383000
1931 400000
1932 405000
1933 412000
1934 423000
1935 435000
1936 444000
1937 452000
1938 457000
1939 467000
1940 471000
1941 474000
1942 477000
1943 479000
1944 479500
1945 480000
1946 481000
1947 490001
1948 494000
1948 510001
1949 501600-501817
1949 515051-519410
1949 525001
1950 542400
1951 571500
1952 607400
1953 624850
1954 648900
1955 662650
1956 672050
1957 695400
1958 710600
1959 725600
1960 750000
1961 776400
1962 797500
1963 819500
1964 839500
1965 861500
1966 890800
1966 D900101
1967 D926000
1968 D958500
1969 D995000-D998715
1969 A100000
1970 A43500 -A59999
1970 B01001-B23000
1971 B23001 -B49000
1972 B49001 -B59999
1972 C01001 -C26000
1973 C26001-C60000
1973 F0I001 F08800
1974 F08801-F60000
1974 H01001 -H18100
1975 H18101-H60000
1975 M0IOO1-M29600
1976 M29601 M51999
1976 01001M -19200M
1977 19201M-59999M
1977 01001R-11700R
1978 1170IR-59999R
1978 S01001


Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Silent Bob]

Thanks for the replies. And thanks for the list of serials Jeff, I now know that this specimen was made in 1970.

 

[dfariswheel]

The easiest way is by appearance.
Pre-1972 models have the "skinny" barrel and the exposed ejector rod.
Post-1972 models have the heavy, shrouded barrel.

As for the grip frame, Detective Special's made prior to the mid-1960's have the original full length grip frame. All "D" framed guns made after the mid-60's have the "stubby" frame.

MOST current grip makers only offer grips for the later stubby frame.

 

[GrantCunningham]

True, there are virtually no grips available for the long "D" frames. However, I recently sold a NIB set of Herretts (http://www.herrettstocks.com/) grips for the long frame, and though I don't know when they were made they appeared to be fairly recent. Since they are a "semi production" maker, perhaps they can still make them.

Other than a true, one-off custom grip, they may be the best bet.