Question on old Colt DS

[oneounceload]

I have my dad's DS. The serial number makes it a 1928 manufactured gun. Since my dad did not become a cop until the 50's, I suspect he bought it from a cop who was retiring. My question is in regards to the barrel. It does NOT say "Colt" on it anywhere. All it has, on the left side is 38 Special. It looks like an original barrel with the half moon front site; however it is my understanding that Colt always had their name on the barrel.

Thus, is this an after market barrel (at least 60 years old) or could this gun, being one of the first few hundred made have been produced without the Colt name on the barrel?

Thanks!

 

[Old Fuff]

It should be marked: 38, and then in two lines, Detective and Special, on the left side of the barrel. In addition I would expect a "horse" trademark stamped on the back of the sideplate.

I suspect it started life as a Police Positive Special with a longer 5 or 6 inch barrel that was cut back to 2-inches.

However since the Detective Special was introduced in 1927 it is possible (but not probable) that your revolver was made before the Detective Special roll stamp was ready.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It should be marked: 38, and then in two lines, Detective and Special, on the left side of the barrel. In addition I would expect a "horse" trademark stamped on the back of the sideplate.

I suspect it started life as a Police Positive Special with a longer 5 or 6 inch barrel that was cut back to 2-inches.

However since the Detective Special was introduced in 1927 it is possible (but not probable) that your revolver was made before the Detective Special roll stamp was ready.

That would make that revolver very rare, wouldn't it?
OK, now you've done it! WE NEED a photo or 2 or 3 or 4 you know!! LOL

 

[oneounceload]

OK, OK.....

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

Grips are not original. Bluing is not as bad as the flash makes it out to be, but it isn't 98% either. Not shot a lot by my dad, it was his "off-duty" so it has honest holster wear, smooth checkering on the LH side (he was LH).

When you cock the hammer, hold it and pull the trigger all the way back (the method I was told to make sure a Colt was in good condition), there is ZERO play in the cylinder - a very good thing

Also have his pre-model 10 M&P from about 1952 or so

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh boy! That is good honest wear and a good memory too. Thanks for the photos.

Speaking of a M&P, I have one that dates to 1948 I bought from a retired Constable who carried it for over 30 years when he was working.

Here it is with a Chief's Special, they just belong together IMO...



I also have an old Colt but it's nowhere near as old as yours and there are no memories connected to it either.

 

[mic214]

I believe they made some 2" Police Positive Specials marked like that back before they came out with the Detective Special. That is a cool looking old Colt!

 

[RSVP2RIP]

If it were a PPS with a 2" barrel, the grips would be correct.

 

[Old Fuff]

I believe they made some 2" Police Positive Specials marked like that back before they came out with the Detective Special.

They did indeed, and a fair number of them, but they were so marked as Police Positive Special.

The judge is still out. The "pony" stamp is on the sideplate, but very faint - which suggests a refinish, and if there was a refinish a barrel cut-off is more probable. The pictures are very good, but don't show the left side of the barrel and the .38 Special stamp.

If the revolver was refinished whoever did it might have polished off the stamp on the barrel, and then restamped it, .38 Special.

The only way to know for sure would be to take a gamble and buy an historical letter from Colt. They will research their records and find its exact background. These letters are expensive ($80.00 up) but if one confirmed that this piece is an original early Detective Special or 2" Police Positive Special, a collector might well pay a higher price to get both the revolver and letter. If the letter shows a longer barrel the value of the gun would drop sharply (to collectors, not the present owner) and the letter would have no particular value.

 

[smkummer]

You may have a correct piece that is not messed with. the coltforum is the place to get answers to your gun in question. During that time frame, I believe guns will letter (sending Colt $75 to research your gun and waiting about 4 months for a factory letter) as either a police positive special (with a 2 in barrel) or detective special (which is just a police positive special with a 2 in. barrel). If you ever want to trade your gun for something else such as a newer police positive or detective special, please keep me in mind.

 

[Old Fuff]

If it were a PPS with a 2" barrel, the grips would be correct.

They would also be correct on an early Detective Special or some made during World War Two. Both were made on square-butt Police Positive Special frames.

 

[oneounceload]

Actually, the pony is crisp - I am not the best photo taker, and the bluing is in better shape than the photo shows. I seriously doubt that my dad would have spent the money getting it refinished. He either bought it from a retired cop, or another possibility was from John Jovino - a gun dealer with many stores in NYC that especially catered to LEO. Still does OK with standard 158 LSWC and RN ammo.

Archangel - I agree about those old pre-10's - this was the duty gun:

[/URL][/IMG]

It has the NYPD serial number along with the S&W one. I reinstalled the original Pachmayr added grip which looks like a Tyler T except made in Los Angeles after this photo was taken.

Growing up in NYC, we didn't do shooting or hunting, yet my dad was able to qualify as marksman with this 4" S&W and the standard 158RN lead bullet of the day. Like the Colt, with regular 158 LSWC, it is more accurate than I am.....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I grew up in NYC too and didn't start shooting a lot until I moved to PA.

I also have the Pachmayr grip adapter that came with that M&P which is marked S&W. I took it off because there was some superficial rust under the adapter and I didn't want to take a chance of it happening again. If I were to carry it in the future I would put the adapter back on.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

My take is that it looks straight to me. Other than the post-war grips which you already mentioned.
That said I confess to never having handled a '38 Special' marked PPS/pre-DS to look for an abbreviated two line barrel address on the right side.

Law enforcement agencies were demanding the short barreled guns for concealed use in the growing battle with organized crime.
Makes sense that the transition guns with the simplified markings were made for a short time to allow time for standardization.

The DS on the left is also a 1928 that has the 'large 38-two line DS' markings.
Serial is 366xxx, later part of the year.

A lot of work to shorten up a 4" PPS rod to that length if a person was trying to fake one.
And the early smooth triggers (changed to checkered the following year or so) made for clean DA work.

Nice uncommon Colt with honest wear.
JT

LOL on your location description. My sister lives in St. Pete near the State Park on the Point. She said to NEVER consider visiting during the summer. February suits me fine!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Get the Letter from Colt. It is a nice looking old Colt; ENJOY it.