Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this classic double/single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt Cobra “Second Issue”.
The Cobra is notable as the first Colt firearm named after a snake, a naming tradition that would later give rise to Colt’s legendary “Snake” series of revolvers.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Cobra “Second Issue”
Serial: F83429
Date of Manufacture: 1974
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blued with Blue-Black Anodized Aluminum Frame
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Ramp Front with Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Grips with Checkering
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following World War II, Colt was among the first major firearms manufacturers to experiment with new lightweight “Space Age” materials, particularly aluminum alloys, as the industry sought to reduce weight and modernize designs. Colt’s first major venture into this field was the aluminum-framed Colt Commander automatic pistol introduced in 1949, followed soon after by an aluminum-framed version of the Detective Special revolver. Colt referred to its proprietary aluminum alloy as “Coltalloy,” and this new lightweight revolver was christened the Colt Cobra, marking the first time Colt named a firearm after a snake, creating a naming tradition that would later expand into the iconic “Snake Gun” series. Mechanically, the Cobra was essentially a Detective Special fitted with an aluminum frame, side plate, and cylinder crane, while the barrel and other critical components remained steel. Produced from 1950 to 1981, the Cobra was offered in 2-, 3-, and 4-inch barrel lengths, with a small number of rare 5-inch square-butt revolvers produced for the Venezuelan government.
Model: Cobra “Second Issue”
Serial: F83429
Date of Manufacture: 1974
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blued with Blue-Black Anodized Aluminum Frame
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Ramp Front with Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Grips with Checkering
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following World War II, Colt was among the first major firearms manufacturers to experiment with new lightweight “Space Age” materials, particularly aluminum alloys, as the industry sought to reduce weight and modernize designs. Colt’s first major venture into this field was the aluminum-framed Colt Commander automatic pistol introduced in 1949, followed soon after by an aluminum-framed version of the Detective Special revolver. Colt referred to its proprietary aluminum alloy as “Coltalloy,” and this new lightweight revolver was christened the Colt Cobra, marking the first time Colt named a firearm after a snake, creating a naming tradition that would later expand into the iconic “Snake Gun” series. Mechanically, the Cobra was essentially a Detective Special fitted with an aluminum frame, side plate, and cylinder crane, while the barrel and other critical components remained steel. Produced from 1950 to 1981, the Cobra was offered in 2-, 3-, and 4-inch barrel lengths, with a small number of rare 5-inch square-butt revolvers produced for the Venezuelan government.
It was chambered in several calibers, including .38 Special, .32 New Police (.32 S&W), .38 New Police (.38 S&W), and .22 LR. Standard finishes included bright blued steel components paired with blue-black anodized aluminum, or full bright nickel. However, during the major Colt labor strike of the 1980s, Cobras were produced with an unpolished matte black finish and smooth wood grips. Grip and frame configurations evolved, with early 4-inch models featuring square butts later changed to rounded butts, and grips progressing from molded “Coltwood” plastic with silver medallions, to medallion-less plastic, then checkered walnut with medallions, and finally combat-type grips without medallions. As with other Colt “D-frame” revolvers, the Cobra could be special-ordered with a factory hammer shroud. The First Issue Cobra (1950–1972) initially featured a square butt and a longer grip frame, but in 1966, Colt shortened the grip frame to match the Agent model, with wood grips overlapping the frame to maintain a full-size grip feel.
The Second Issue Cobra (1973–1981) introduced a redesigned heavy barrel with a shrouded ejector rod and a long ramp front sight, walnut combat-type grips enclosing the front and bottom of the grip frame, and finishes including bright blue, bright nickel, occasional satin electroless nickel (“Coltguard”), and strike-era matte black. These post-1972 Cobras were the only versions officially rated for limited +P ammunition use, with Colt recommending inspection and possible frame replacement after approximately 1,000 rounds of +P, underscoring both the lightweight design and the engineering limits of aluminum-framed revolvers of the era.
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.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
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. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1156495901 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-03-01 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
625 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-03-01 16:24:27 |
