Old Colt Detective Special - anyone out there know about these?

[FourTeeFive]

I got this in neglected condition from a friend of the family. It had been sitting tucked away in the basement for years, and unfortunately had some rust and pitting. I took it to my local gunsmith figuring he could turn it into a basic shooter for me, maybe parkerize it or something. But he said he could get it into decent shape, and ended up removing the rust and rebluing just those areas. Also gave the gun a complete cleaning and checkup. Anyway, the pics are below and also show the area of pitting and rebluing. I know this is an older gun, but does it hold any collectible value in this condition? I'm not a collector so if there is a market for one like this I would rather sell or trade it.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[dfariswheel]

Without more details I can't be certain, but your DS appears to be an early post-war Colt as made up until the early 1950's.

Key identifiers are the post-war ramped front sight, the new type cylinder retention screw on the right front frame, and the plastic "Coltwood" grips.

These guns are not rare, and the rust/re-blue has eliminated any collector value.
This makes it a "shooter" grade revolver.

These Colt's are extremely high-quality guns, and are probably the best "snubby" ever made.
These older Colts are NOT rated for use with +P ammunition, but many shooters practiced with standard .38 Special ammo, and load up with +P for "business" carry.
"Some" use with +P ammo will NOT cause the gun to blow up or anything drastic, but will increase wear on the gun, to the point were the frame will wear out more quickly.

To get a production date for it, see the serial number lists here:
http://proofhouse.com/colt/

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Unless you're really not into it, I'd keep it as an interesting addition to your collection.

If you find the grip akward, instead of adding some newfangled rubber thing, take a look at a Tyler T-Grip. Fits great, looks cool, and is correct for the time period.

See this pic: the T-grip is the polished finger-groove thingy that fits between the grips and the frame. They run about $18.



You can buy they new from the manufacturer, or occasionally get them for pretty cheap on eBay.

 

[FPrice]

Here is a 1950 version I picked up a few years ago. It's marked "HPD" on the butt which the seller told my FFL stood for "Hartford (CT) PD". It's still a nice shooting gun. I added the t-grip.

 

[FourTeeFive]

dfariswheel - You were right on the money. Looks like mine was made in 1951.

Thanks to everyone for their comments and information. I will probably hang on to it as another shooter. It does feel really solid and tight. As they say, "they don't make them like they used to."

Funny enough, it did have a Pachmayr t-grip type device on it that was broken (the little piece of sheet metal holding it into the grip was off). So maybe I'll get a Tyler T-Grip, or just some nice wood grips.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[MatthewVanitas]

If you can fix the little sheet metal piece, the Pachy grip adapted is pretty cool. If not, might want to toss it up as for sale (or for free) on the THR sales board. Probably somebody wouldn't mind fixing it up for themselves.

Good call on it; unless you really dislike the Colt, you'll get far more enjoyment from shooting it than money from selling. They definitely don't make them like that anymore.

-MV

 

[cherryriver]

When I daydream about just running across guns with less than a four-inch barrel, it's pretty nearly always an early '50's Detective Special.
When you're getting rid of it, I know a very good home where it would be well-fed and cleaned every week...
Bill

 

[News Shooter]

I just picked up a Colt Detective yesterday

1965 vintage. In great condition. It's just one of those guns, that if you are a collector, you've got to have no matter what the $ value. Good work!

 

[neoncowboy]

How wonderfully ironic! This is EXACTLY like the gun that my aged grandfather gave to me...yesterday!

I've been meaning to come post pretty much the exact same post as the first one in this thread...but someone beat me to it.

Since mine has family heritage values, I'll hold onto it. It'll be a reminder of my wonderful, honorable, respectable grandfather and his great generation for years to come. It'll also be a decent pocket carry piece...perfect for this one wool jacket I have.

Thanks THR! Great timing!

 

[Ala Dan]

I have two 2nd edition (1947-1972) Colt Detective Specials; one is a blued
1966 model that shows only slight wear, and the other is a 1971 model that
has only been test fired one cylinder full (6 rounds, total). The '71 model is
the factory nickel model. Unfortunately, I don't have the box or doc's for
either.

 

[4v50 Gary]

That's an older Detective Special as other members have already identified for you. You should know that the lockwork is akin to that of the Python and is superior in terms of workmanship to the newer Detective Specials that feature the (S&W style) Trooper lockwork. Consider that when you trade or sell it.

 

[Hikingman]

My first Colt, ahhh. Sure, it's very sought after, and sells quickly on the used gun shelf in stores. Keep it!

 

[Cosmoline]

maybe parkerize it or something

I realize he's already messed with it, but the condition on that one isn't bad at all. A parkerizing will look horrific, and unfortunately it is extremely difficult to replicate the old Royal Blue so taking it to the smith for a reblue isn't a good idea either. Only a Colt specialist would be able to pull it off. I'd just keep it as is and let the cheapo blue wear off. A Dick Special with some minor rust scars and very little blue left is still worth a chunk of change.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Actually, the rest of the bluing on the gun is very nice. It was just the end of the barrel where the gunsmith removed the rust and touched up the bluing. He did a pretty good job matching color (the photos above are worst case under bright halogen lighting). But you still see the texture from the rust pitting.

Before I brought it to the gunsmith the cylinder barely turned. Luckily it was just ages of grease and not rust.

 

[Cosmoline]

Was it a cold blue? It must have been, in which case it should wear off after awhile. I would just leave it be. A little bit in the white is no big deal, and after awhile it will develop a nice patina if you keep it oiled.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Not sure what he used. I don't intend on carrying, or for that matter shooting, this gun very much, so I doubt it will wear off any time soon.