Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this double-action revolver today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Detective Special!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Detective Special
Serial: 498413
Date of Manufacture: 1948
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Nickel w/ Blued Hammer
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Frame Notched Rear w/ Fixed Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Grips w/ Silver Colt Medallion
Action: Double-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Detective Special is Colt’s classic snub-nose revolver—introduced in 1927—as a compact, five-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special. Designed with a short barrel and a small-frame profile, it offered plain-clothes police officers, detectives, and concealed-carry civilians a stout little wheelgun that balanced concealability with effective caliber performance for its era. Its swing-out cylinder and robust Colt workmanship made it a practical carry piece long before modern compact autos became dominant. In terms of design, the Detective Special is straightforward and purposeful: a steel frame (later runs and variants sometimes used lighter materials), a short 2-inch (typical) barrel, fixed sights, and a five-round cylinder—simple features aimed at reliability under real use. Finish options historically included blued and nickel, and Colt produced a number of small variations and special runs over the years (including presentation and limited editions), but the core appeal was always its hand-holdable size and dependable, easy-to-operate double-action mechanism. Today the Detective Special is popular with collectors and shooters who appreciate classic American handguns. Early pre-war and well-preserved mid-century examples, original boxes, and rare finish/engraving variants command the most collector interest, while serviceable examples remain valued as practical, historically significant revolvers. If you’re looking at one, condition, originality (grips, finish, timing), and any provenance will be the primary drivers of value and desirability.
Model: Detective Special
Serial: 498413
Date of Manufacture: 1948
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Nickel w/ Blued Hammer
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Frame Notched Rear w/ Fixed Blade Front
Stock/Grips: Checkered Walnut Grips w/ Silver Colt Medallion
Action: Double-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Detective Special is Colt’s classic snub-nose revolver—introduced in 1927—as a compact, five-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special. Designed with a short barrel and a small-frame profile, it offered plain-clothes police officers, detectives, and concealed-carry civilians a stout little wheelgun that balanced concealability with effective caliber performance for its era. Its swing-out cylinder and robust Colt workmanship made it a practical carry piece long before modern compact autos became dominant. In terms of design, the Detective Special is straightforward and purposeful: a steel frame (later runs and variants sometimes used lighter materials), a short 2-inch (typical) barrel, fixed sights, and a five-round cylinder—simple features aimed at reliability under real use. Finish options historically included blued and nickel, and Colt produced a number of small variations and special runs over the years (including presentation and limited editions), but the core appeal was always its hand-holdable size and dependable, easy-to-operate double-action mechanism. Today the Detective Special is popular with collectors and shooters who appreciate classic American handguns. Early pre-war and well-preserved mid-century examples, original boxes, and rare finish/engraving variants command the most collector interest, while serviceable examples remain valued as practical, historically significant revolvers. If you’re looking at one, condition, originality (grips, finish, timing), and any provenance will be the primary drivers of value and desirability.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
