Snubby Added To Collection- Need Info~!

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I just added another Colt Detective Special to the collection, and need a
date of manufacture from our Colt handgun experts. This one is a 2" blued
DS, with serial 990XXX. There is NO letter preceding the serial number.
Its 'bout a 90 per center, with a visible spot of minor surface rust near
the cylinder release latch. I will clean it up, and try too post a pic shortly.
As always, any help would be apprecaited~!

 

[tc300mag1]

Book i have looks like it was made round 1968-1969 Not much else i can tell ya except Nice snubbie to add to collection

 

[P95Carry]

ANOTHER snub Dan - heck - that must now at last be one for every day of the week .

Not well up on Colts at all but hey - I'd ''put up'' with one!

 

[Ala Dan]

Many thanks folk's~!

Yeah Chris this one was a trade-in that had been sitting in our
showcase for approximately the last four weeks; so I decided to give
it a new home. My cost? $200 OTD.

 

[tc300mag1]

Nice i paid 5$ more for my cobra wish i could run into deals liek that more often

 

[Old Fuff]

R.L. Wilson says it was made in 1966. Remember the Detective Special was numbered in the same series as the Police Positive Special.

That would be a good year, as Colt's labor costs hadn't gone out of sight and the necessary hand-fitting was usually done as it should be. It might still have the full-sized frame with slab stocks - if so it is one of the last ones made. If it has the shorter frame with wrap-around stocks it is one of the first. 1966 was the year they changed over.

Because of the round barrel configuration combined with a high front sight blade the effective range on a B-27 silhouette target is at least 100 yards in my experience. Not bad for a snubby.

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: Old Fuff

Many thanks for that great info~! In comparing this Detective Special
to the nickel 1971 DS that I recently posted a pic of, the frames look to
be the same? BTW 1966 was a good year, as not only was Colt's quality
up too par; but I spent the entire year working for Uncle Sam in the US
Army.

PS: A pic of the 1966 Colt DS will be forthcoming this afternoon~!
With this info, it now becomes the oldest firearm in my collection.

 

[Old Fuff]

You can easily tell the difference in frame configuration. In the new guns the wood (or whatever) stocks wrap around the bottom of the frame. In the older ones they don't and you can see the metal part of the frame when you look at the bottom of the butt. During 1966 they were making the switch, and you might get either. If you have one with the "short frame" (as apparently you do) there is a wide selection of larger or smaller aftermarket and Colt grips that will fit it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: Old Fuff

This 1966 Colt Detective Special is my hands is most definitely one one
the newer versions, as I cannot see metal when inverting the gun and
looking at the butt. Many thanks for the great info, and your time in
explaining the differences.

BTW, folk's I'm sorry I have not yet posted a pic of this weapon we are
talk'in bout. I hope too do so later today~!

 

[Ala Dan]

And here it is, a 1966 Colt Detective Special with S/N 990XXX.
Notice, there IS NOT a alphabetical prefix in front of the S/N.

Right side view

 

[Ala Dan]

Left side view

Soon to be 40 years old~!

 

[P95Carry]

Dan - that shape and ever so short barrel - makes it look like Sharron Gless or Tyne Daley should have used it in their TV series Cagney and Lacey

Piece of history there.

 

[Ala Dan]

You're ever so right Chris my friend~!

I remember when I was very young, I always wanted a gun like the city
detectives carried. As it turned out, a lot of 'em where carrying the .38
caliber Colt Detective Special. Now, I have two of 'em.

 

[BigG]

That's some nice hardware you've been getting, bud. I had an original Colt Agent with the short grip frame and wooden grips that I carried for quite a while. Long ago traded. Also a Python 4" blue and D/S with the shrouded ejector rod in pristine nickel with the chunky grips. This was before we had the internet to drool over our bud's acquisitions. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Big G My Friend-

Many thanks for the kind word's there bud. Aw man, I've been looking
for one of the older Colt Agents to go in this collection; and you had
one and let it get away? They are scarce as hens teeth in the Land
of Cotton.

 

[BigG]

Yep. It looked just like your gun here except the grip frame was shorter, and the frame was made from aluminum. The later snubby Colts all had the short grip frame and they made up the difference in length with the stocks, longer on the D/S and Cobra, short on the Agent. They are nice pieces of machinery, and maybe I'll obtain another some day.

 

[DHart]

Dan... very nice! There is something very "special" about Detectives!

Here's a good reference source for future serial # dating:

http://www.proofhouse.com/

 

[Thirties]

Dan, I also bought a 1966 Colt DS just like yours. I sent it to Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters to have it opened up, cleaned & lubed. They were fast and resonable. Told me it was rather dry inside, but otherwise just fine. Now I know that I have a gun in excellent shape.

By the way, the sight picture on these 2nd issue guns is much better than on the newer style ramped front sight shrouded models of the 3rd issue. Much more easy to shoot accurately; but not as snag-free otherwise. Also, the pachmayr compac rubber grips make this an excellent plinking gun.

Enjoy your new friend . . .

.

 

[Ala Dan]

Many thanks fella's for the encouraging news, 'bout the Colt DS~!

Att: DHart-

You're right, Colt's Detective Specials have always drawn major interest
from me. Today, I believe that some collectors just don't appreciate the
little Colt's as much as we do. They certainly have earned their place in
the heart and mind of this old boy. BTW, I always enjoy your post's
and most excellent pic's of your weapons. I just wish my photography was
half as good as yours. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge, pics, and
links.

Att: Thirties-

Good news, the fact that you are also enjoying one of my favorite snubby
revolver's. I guess the reason I have fond memories of these little
gems, is the fact that the 2nd series and myself were born in the same
year of 1947. BTW, I love your listed location of "deep in Red Sox nation",
as my ole' bud (and THR member) The Silent One is not far from
you; and what a swell gentleman (and friend) he is. I'm very proud of
the fact that THR brought this friendship together; as our families have
become really close.

 

[Thirties]

Dan, I should add that I'm also close to the center of Black Bear Nation (UMaine Ice Hockey).

It seems you've got one year more seniority than I. My '66 was made the year I graduated high school.

We just hosted the U. of Alabama Huntsville Ice Hockey team last weekend -- yes, they are Division I. We took both games (sorry).

.