Overloading415

• Colt D frame revolvers. Colt D frame revolvers, Detective Special, Diamondback, Agent, Cobra, Police Positive, Viper. Grid View List View. Colt D barrel Agent 2'.38 #154-56497. Colt D barrel Cobra.38 2' #154-56496. Colt D barrel Cobra 2' nickel #154-56496N.
• Feb 09, 2012 I have no clue what this revolver is worth. I want to give her a fair price. Blued finish that I would say is probably in 85% condition(bit of holster wear). There is a little bit of rust, but not much. I believe it is a 1965 model as the serial number is 161XXXLW and according to proofhouse.com it fits in that serial number range.

1. Colt 1917 Revolver Serial Numbers
2. Antique Colt Revolver Serial Numbers
3. Colt 38 Agent Serial Numbers
4. Colt Agent Revolver Serial Numbers By Year
5. Colt Agent Revolver Serial Numbers And Dates

The Colt Detective Special is a six-shot, carbon steel framed, 2' barreled, double-actionrevolver, and the first example of a class of firearms known as 'snubnose revolvers'. Made by Colt's Manufacturing Company, this model revolver, as the name 'Detective Special' suggests, was intended to be a concealed weapon used by plainclothes police detectives.

Lightweight 2nd Issue, Matte Blue & Black 2' 6-Shot Sa/Da Double Action Revolver, Mfd 1983.38 Special - 15058688 Buyer Tip: Seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item. If you have any questions regarding this item, you should contact the Seller before bidding.

Introduced in 1927, the Detective Special was the first short-barreled revolver produced with a modern swing-out frame. It was designed from the outset to be chambered for higher-powered cartridges such as the .38 Special, considered to be a powerful caliber for a concealable pocket revolver of the day. The Detective Special uses a slightly smaller frame than the Colt Official Police or Smith & Wesson Model 10 (K-Frame) revolvers, but is larger than the five-shot Smith & Wesson Model 36/Model 38/Model 42 (J-frame) revolvers.^[1]

Although the Detective Special proved to be an instant success when first introduced,^[2] lackluster sales saw the elimination of the Detective Special from the product line in 1995.

Design development[edit]

The Fitz Special[edit]

John Henry Fitzgerald, an employee of Colt Firearms from 1918 to 1944, first came up the Fitz Special snubnosed revolver concept around the mid 1920s, when he modified a .38 SpecialColt Police Positive Special revolver,^[3] by shortening the barrel to two inches, shortening the ejector rod, bobbing the hammer spur, rounding the butt, and removing the front half of the trigger guard. Reshaping the hammer and the butt allows the gun to be drawn quickly with little risk of the weapon snagging on clothing. The halved trigger guard facilitates quick trigger acquisition, even for shooters with large fingers or gloves.^[4]

Although historians disagree, it's believed that somewhere between 40 and 200 Fitz Specials left the Colt factory, made from various Colt revolvers, by Fitzgerald himself.^[5] The Fitz Special was the precursor to the modern snubnosed revolver and specifically the prototype for the Colt Detective Special, the first production two-inch snubnosed revolver. Even after the introduction of the Detective Special in 1927, Fitz continued to make custom revolvers for special clientele.

The Detective Special[edit]

Colt was so impressed with the Fitz Special that they decided to produce a sightly less radical version, the Detective Special, which is simply a shortened and somewhat streamlined Colt Police Positive Special. The Detective Special proved to be an instant success and was made until 1995.^[2]

Colt's Detective Special went through several issues or series.^[6] The First Series was produced from 1927 until 1946. Compared to later production models, the First Series used a narrower frame, with reduced clearance between the frontstrap of the gripframe and the rear of the trigger guard. Other distinctive features included a shorter ejector rod with an ungrooved, knurled tip; a checkered hammer spur and cylinder latch, a 'half-moon'–shaped front sight, and an overlapping screw and locking pin set-up on the right side of the frame. Grip panels were wooden. A rounded butt on the metal frame became standard in 1933, but pieces with the original square butt (like that of the Police Positive Special) continued to be produced into the 1940s.^[1]

The Second Series ran from 1947 to 1972. The ejector-rod was longer and had a groove in its knurled tip; a three-inch-barrel variant was offered, with a yet longer ejector rod. The cylinder latch was smooth, and the trigger spur serrated. The right side frame screw has no locking pin, and the rear half of the front sight is a serrated ramp. The grip panels were plastic in 1947, but were changed back to wood starting in 1955 (first with a silver-tone Colt medallion, and later a gold-tone). An optional hammer shroud was available from the factory to prevent the hammer from catching on clothing.^[1]

Transition from the First to Second Series was gradual, with some post-WWII Second Series guns retaining short ejector rods and checkered hammers. Because of this, assigning a given revolver to a particular issue is best done by serial number.

During the 1960s, the grip frame of the Second Series Detective Special was shortened, matching that of Colt's other snub-nosed pistols, the Cobra and Agent. Despite this alteration, the Detective Special's overall grip size remained unchanged, as Colt fitted the Second Series with new, lengthened gripstocks that extended below the frame.^[1]

The Third Series ran from 1973 to 1986. A new shroud extended down from the barrel, enclosing and protecting the ejector rod, and the front sight was changed to a full ramp. New, oversize wood gripstocks were introduced that covered the front frame strap. The Third Series featured improvements to the revolver's internal lockwork as well. As with the previous two Series models, a few nickel-plated guns were produced, and a 3-inch-barrel variant was again offered. In 1986, facing stagnant sales numbers as well as rising production and labor costs, Colt discontinued production of the Detective Special.^[7]

Colt filed for bankruptcy protection in 1992. After reorganization, the company restarted production of the Detective Special in 1993. The post-1992 Detective Special is sometimes called the Fourth Series, and featured 'composite' (rubber), wrap-around grips with a gold medallion. Only a two-inch barrel was offered, in blue or hard chrome finish. The new production run continued only until 1995, when Colt introduced its stainless-steel SF-VI as a replacement for the Detective Special.^[1]

From its introduction, the Detective Special used Colt's ‘Positive Safety Lock’ (hammer block), first featured on the Police Positive; the mechanism interposes a bar between hammer and frame until the trigger is pulled, preventing accidental discharge if the hammer is struck (e.g., if a dropped gun falls onto its hammer) with the trigger forward.^[8] First and early Second Series Detective Specials are becoming highly sought after by collectors, particularly if they are in prime condition and still have the famous Colt 'Royal Blue' finish.

Calibers and finishes[edit]

The Detective Special was initially available in both bright blued and nickel finishes; a stainless steel finish replaced the nickeled option during the Fourth Series. For the Second Series, caliber options were .32 New Police, .38 New Police, and .38 Special; only .38 Special was offered for the other Series models. The standard barrel length was 2 inches, but also a (rare) three-inch-barrel was offered during the Second and Third Series.^[1]

Submodels and variants[edit]

One early variant based on the DS frame was the Colt Banker's Special. First produced in 1928, it was chambered in .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W) and .22 Long Rifle. Few were made, particularly in .22LR caliber. The Banker's Special was popular with railway clerks, who often carried them on mail and parcel freight trains prior to World War II. During World War II production was discontinued, and the type was not revived following the war's end.

The Colt Commando Special was a version of the Detective Special with a matte finish and rubber grips; produced from 1984 to 1986, it was chambered in .38 Special and weighed 21.5 oz.

During the Fourth Series production run of 1993–1995, Colt offered the Detective Special with an optional de-spurred 'bobbed' hammer and double action only lockwork, direct from the factory. The DAO or 'Bobbed Hammer' Detective Special was otherwise the same as the standard Fourth Series Detective Special.^[8]

Ammunition[edit]

Interest has arisen over the use of higher-pressure (+P) .38 Special ammunition in the Detective Special. In their more recent owners manuals, Colt authorized limited use of +P ammunition in steel-framed revolvers (including earlier versions), citing 2000 to 3000 rounds before recommending the gun be returned to the factory for inspection.^[9] Many believe that this was due to potential liability rather than engineering requirements, as the standard pressure ammunition of yesteryear was about the same pressure as modern +P ammunition.^{[citation needed]}SAAMI lowered the pressures in 1972.^[1]

Usage[edit]

Due to the good concealment qualities of the revolver, the Colt Detective Special was used as a weapon mostly by plainclothes police detectives, though it was also a popular off duty and backup firearm for uniformed police officers.^[1] It was used by bodyguards, and for personal defense and shooting sports.

The Colt Detective Special was a popular weapon before the semi-automatic pistol replaced the revolver in many police departments as well as law enforcement units and armies. Myanmar Police Force and some other countries are still using the batches as officers' sidearms.

Replacement[edit]

Designated as the '9.65mm handgun', the Detective Special was used by the military police officers of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces along with the M1911 pistol designated as the '11.4mm handgun', only to be replaced by the Minebea P9 semi-automatic pistol, the Japanese license-made SIG Sauer P220. And a small number were used in some prefectural police headquarters of Japan including the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.^[10]

The six-shot Colt Detective Special was the standard issue sidearm of Crime Wing inside Hong Kong Police Force, only to be replaced by SIG Sauer P250 after multiple years of use.

The Colt Detective Special was the first revolver issued to French customs agents, meant to replace the old Browning 10/22 and MAB D pistols. They were used from 1975 to 1988, being progressively replaced by Smith & Wesson revolvers (mostly the S&W model 13) along with French Manurhins and the Sig Sauer SP 2022 in 2005.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdefghAyoob, Massad (15 March 2010). 'The Colt Detective Special'. Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 55–63. ISBN1-4402-1458-1.
2. ^ ^abhttps://gatdaily.com/gun-review-colt-detective-special-revolver-38-spl/ Gun Review: Colt Detective Special revolver in .38 Spl
3. ^https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2012/4/20/the-fitz-special/ The Fitz Special by Gary Paul Johnston, April 20, 2012
4. ^FindArticles.com | CBSi
5. ^https://www.guns.com/2015/09/02/fitz-colt-snub-nosed-revolver-benchmark/ The Fitz Colt: The snub-nosed revolver benchmark 9/02/15 by Chris Eger
6. ^Fjestad, SP: Blue Book of Gun Values, 29th Edition; Blue Book Publications, Inc., Minneapolis, 2008
7. ^Trzoniec, Stanley W. (1986). 'Colt's Detective Special'. American Handgunner. 21 (2).
8. ^ ^abColt Detective SpecialArchived January 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
9. ^Colt Detective Special Owners Manual. Hartford, Connecticut: Colt's Manufacturing. 1994. p. 12.
10. ^Sugiura, Hisaya (September 2015). 'Pistols of the Japanese police in the postwar era'. Gun Professionals. Hobby Japan: 72–79.

External links[edit]

Colt Derringers and Pocket Pistols

Year / Serial Number
1847 1
1848 2000
1849 8000
1850 12000 - 14000

Paterson Pocket or Baby Colts No. 1

Year / Serial Number

Colt 1917 Revolver Serial Numbers

1837-1838 1-500

Belt Model Paterson No. 2 & 3

Year / Serial Number

1838 - 1840 1-850

Holster or Texas Paterson No.5

Year /Serial Number

1838 - 1840 1-1000

Ehlers Pistols 4 th & 5 th Model

Year / Serial Number

1840-1843 1-500

Colt Baby Dragoon Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1847 1
1848 2000
1849 8000
1850 12000 - 14000

Cloverleaf House Model Revolver .41

Year / Serial Number

1871 1
1872 4000
1873 5000
1874 6000
1875 7200
1876 9600 - 9952

1st Model Deringer
Chambered in .41 caliber
Manufactured circa 1870-1890.
Serial number range 1-6500.
Yearly production numbers are not known.

2nd Model Deringer
Chambered in .41 caliber.
Manufactured circa 1870-1890.
Serial number range 1-9000.
Yearly production numbers are not known.

3rd Model (Thuer) Deringer
Chambered in .41 caliber.
Manufactured circa 1875-1912.
Serial number range 1-45000.
Yearly production numbers are not known.

4th Model Deringer
Chambered in .22 RF short.
Serial numbers have N or D suffix.
D serial number suffix manufactured 1959-1963.
N serial number suffix manufactured 1960-1963.
Total production (D suffix) about 89727.
Total production (N suffix) about 22880.

Lord & Lady Deringers
Chambered in .22 RF short.
Serial numbers began at 1001 and have a DER or LDR suffix.
Manufactured 1970-1973.
Serial numbers 49201 DER to 60201 DER were shipped in 1976.
Serial numbers with LDR suffix were shipped in 1970-1972.
Total production (DER suffix) about 48201.
Total production (LDR suffix) about 10450.

Colt 1849 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1850 12000
1851 16000
1852 25000
1853 55000
1854 85000
1855 100000
1856 110000
1857 130000
1858 140000
1859 150000
1860 160000
1861 184000
1862 197000
1863 223000
1864 250000
1865 270000
1866 280000
1867 290000
1868 300000
1869 310000
1870 320000
1871 325000
1872 330000
1873 331000 - 340001

Colt 1849 Pocket London

Year / Serial Number

1853 1
1854 1000
1855 5000
1856 9000 - 11000

Model 1855 Sidehammer .28 Caliber

Year / Serial Number

1855 1
1856 5000
1857 15000
1858 18000
1859 20000
1860 22000

Model 1855 Sidehammer .31 Caliber

Year / Serial Number

1860 1

1861 1000
1862 4300
1863 6000
1864 8000
1865 9000
1866 10000
1867 11000
1868 12000
1869 13000
1870 14000
1861 26000

Model 1862 Police Pocket Pistol of Navy Caliber

Year / Serial Number

1861 1
1862 8500
1863 15000
1864 26000
1865 29000
1866 32000
1867 35000
1868 37000
1869 40000
1870 42000
1871 44000
1872 45000
1873 46000 - 47001

New House .38, .41 & .32

Year / Serial Number

1880 10300
1881 11000
1882 13500
1883 15000
1884 17000
1885 20000
1886 23000-25700

New Line .22 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1873 1
1874 4500
1875 9000
1876 13000
1877 43000-55344

New Line .30 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1874 1
1875 1500
1876 9200-10497

New Line .32 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1873 1
1874 2100
1875 8800
1876 10000
1877 13000
1878 14000
1879 15000
1880 16000
1881 17000
1882 18000
1883 19000
1884 20000-22001

New Line .38 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1874 1
1875 500
1876 5800
1877 6000
1878 7000
1879 9000
1880 11000-12517

New Line .41 Pocket

Year / Serial Number

1874 1
1875 1000
1876 3200
1877 7000
1878 9000
1879 10000-10703

New Police .38, .41 & .32

Year / Serial Number

1882 14450
1883 15000
1884 17000
1885 20000
1886 23000-25700

Open Top Pocket Revolver .22

Year / Serial Number

1871 1
1872 3000
1873 6000
1874 7500
1875 48000
1876 85000
1877 95000-114201

Colt Conversions

Thuer
Circa 1868-1871. Calibers .31, .36 &.44 , in 1860 Army, 1851 Navy, 1861 Navy, 1862 Police, 1849 Pocket, 1862 Pocket Navy and (rare) Dragoons and 1855 Side-hammers.
Total production about 5,000.

Richards
Circa 1873-1878. M 1860 Army .44 center fire caliber, serials from 1-8700, in percussion series from 67000-200614.
Total production about 9,000.

Richards-Mason
M 1860 Army .44 center fire caliber, serials from 5800-7900, overlaps with the Richards conversion. Circa 1877-1878.
Total production about 2,100.

Model 1851 Navy
Circa 1872. Calibers .38 rim fire & center fire, serials from 1-3800 and from ranges with in 41000-91000.
Total production about 3,800.

Model 1861 Navy
Circa 1872-1878. Calibers .38 rim fire & center fire, serials from 1-3300, shared with 1851 Navy conversions, and range of percussion arms below number 10356. Mostly center fire.
Total production about 2,200.

Model 1862 Police & Pocket Navy
Circa 1873-1880. Calibers .38 rim fire & center fire, serials from 1-19000, and from high serials of the Model 1849 Pocket, and from generally high serials from the (percussion) Model 1862 Police and Pocket Navy. Variety of barrel lengths and cylinder styles.
Total production about 25,000.

Colt Single Action Revolvers

Colt 1851 Navy

Year / Serial Number

1850 1
1851 2500
1852 10000
1853 20000
1854 35000
1855 40000
1856 45000
1857 65000
1858 85000
1859 90000
1860 93000
1861 98000
1862 118000
1863 132000
1864 175000
1865 180000
1866 185000
1867 200000
1868 204000
1869 207000
1870 210000
1871 212000
1872 214000
1873 215000 - 215348

Colt 1851 Navy London

Year / Serial Number

1853 1
1854 4000
1855 15000
1856 41000 - 42000

1860 Army

Year / Serial Number

1860 1
1861 2000
1862 25000
1863 85000
1864 150000
1865 153000
1866 156000
1867 162000
1868 170000
1869 177000
1870 185000
1871 190000
1872 198000
1873 199000 - 200500

Antique Colt Revolver Serial Numbers

1861 Navy

Year / Serial Number

1861 1
1862 4600
1863 10000
1864 17000
1865 25000
1866 28000
1867 30000
1868 31000
1869 33000
1870 34000
1871 35000
1872 36000
1873 37000 - 338843

Fluck Pre-1st Model Dragoon

Year / Serial Number

1848 2216-2515

1st Model Dragoon

Year / Serial Number

1848 1341
1849 4000

2nd Model Dragoon

Year / Serial Number

1850 8000
1851 9500

3rd Model Dragoon

Colt 38 Agent Serial Numbers

Year / Serial Number

1851 10700
1852 12000
1853 12500
1854 13750
1855 14000
1856 15500
1857 16250
1858 16500
1859 18000
1860 18500 -19800

Colt Agent Revolver Serial Numbers By Year

Hartford English Model Dragoon

Year / Serial Number

Colt Agent Revolver Serial Numbers And Dates

1853 1-700