Weight of Classic Colt Snubs?

[Old Fuff]

... and talked to Kara. She said your gun is not an Agent but a Cobra, courier, or aircrewman, made in 1956, and that your barrel is an "AGENT" barrel made after 1962. It is not an original barrel or Agent gun.

I wouldn't dispute her answer, but might question it.

In 1956 the Cobra had the full-sized butt, not the shortened one that was introduced in 1953 on the Courier model. But it was only offered in .32 CNP (.32 S&W Long) and .22 L.R. with a 3" barrel. Making a Courier into an Agent would require much more then a barrel change. I would say possible but not probable. They only made 1,189 Aircrewmen revolvers on an exclusive Air Force contract. It had the full-sized Cobra frame and aluminum cylinder. Most were later destroyed, so simply finding one to make into an aftermarket Agent seems unlikely.

The 1955 date had to come from somewhere, and cocojo's single revolver wouldn't have been enough to cause it. What we really need to know is the shipping date on cocojo's gun, and Colt does have the shipping records.

I will propose an answer, with absolutely no evidence to support it. This is pure speculation.

After the Courier was discontinued (1956) and after the Agent was introduced (1962) an unknown number of unassembled Courier frames were found. Since the Courier was discontinued, these frames were assembled as Agents instead. Courier serial numbers run in the 26,275LW to 56,001LW range (more or less) and cocojo's Agent is 54,5xxLW.

If so, it wouldn't have been the first time that Colt had put old inventory to good use.

If someone has other thoughts I'm waiting to hear them...

 

[Guillermo]

Courier serial numbers run in the 26,275LW to 56,001LW range (more or less) and cocojo's Agent is 54,5xxLW.

Sherlock Fuff solves another one!!!

 

[Old Fuff]

Not until we know the shipping date on cocojo's revolver. It is the key. If it's during or after 1962 the Old Fuff is a star. If it's before 1962 I may have to go back to the drawing board.

There is also a probability that Colt used left over Courier (short-butt) frames to build Agent prototypes and possibly an early pre-production run, in or about 1962. It is doubtful that they had the rollmark dies to stamp the "Agent" markings on barrels prior to say 1960 or '61.

Also it would be interesting to know if cocojo's revolver is black anodized on the bottom of the frame under the stocks. It's unlikely it would be if someone cut down a Cobra. Lots of questions here.

Keep in mind that the records that remain with both Colt and Smith & Wesson are not production records, they are shipping records. Just because a gun was made during a certain year doesn't necessarily mean it was shipped at the same time.

 

[snooperman]

I will not challenge your speculation...

However , I will call her again and see if she has the shipping date for this "Mystery" revolver. Thanks

 

[snooperman]

I called Colt again and talked to Kara and...

she does not have access to shipping dates. Only the Archive dept. can get that information ; but, it requires a fee and they will only mail a certified letter with the pertinent information to the individual requesting it. It is not given out over the phone.

 

[Old Fuff]

Then it's up to cocojo. Colt's historical letters are expensive, but the answer might (or might not) change his Agent into a more valuable collectable. Colt says the Agent was introduced in 1962, but the 1955 date didn't come out of thin air,and if cocojo has one it's likely there were and are more.

The Old Fuff will await developments...

 

[Old Fuff]

Maybe Mas knows, and he is a THR member...


1955 a vintage year for handguns: it was a banner year and many handguns introduced then would survive half a century later

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2005 by Massad Ayoob

Other 1955 Colt introductions reflect emerging trend and dying trend alike. The .32 caliber revolvers were on their way out as defensive guns, and the Colt Courier .32 introduced that year would sell in such small numbers that it would become a prized rarity for Colt collectors. Only some 3,000 would be made before discontinuation in '56. As shown by surging sales of the Smith Chief, the public wanted ever-smaller revolvers in powerful calibers (presaging today's market taste), and in 1955 Colt shortened the butt of the lightweight Cobra to the stubby length of the round-butt Chief and called the result the Agent. Despite being the preferred .38 snub of such cognoscenti as Ray Chapman, Ed Lovette, and Clint Smith, the Colt Agent would not survive into the 21st Century.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_51/ai_n7581220/

 

[cocojo]

My agent says agent on the barrel. Also had shorter frame and no it wasn't cut and has the original grips and gun is black anodized. Someone else has to have a vintage agent from the 50's. According to proof house it falls in the 56range. You know Grant Cunningham might know. Going to check over at Colt forum, now my curiosity is aroused.

 

[cocojo]

I just posted the question at the Colt Forum, lets see what they come up with.

 

[cocojo]

OK Bear Claw from the Colt forum already responded, and he stated that he just purchased a 1955 Colt Agent and that Colt confirmed the year for him over the phone. I going to say 1955 is the right answer, which I have thought all along. Why someone at Colt stated 1962 is beyond me.

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't think there is any question about Colt Agents existing that have serial numbers from the middle 1950's. The question is when were they built and shipped. It was not unusual for Colt, as well as others, to use up older frames in later production. What you have pretty well established is that the revolver you have wasn't an aftermarket home build with a cut-down Cobra frame and an Agent barrel.

Colt says 1962 because that's when their record show the Agent was introduced. That said, they might have missed a small run made with older frames because they weren't looking for it.

The only way to confirm when your gun was shipped is to have it lettered, because they will have to see exactly what the gun that matches that serial number was. Annother possibility would be a dated sales receipt from the seller (if you bought it new).