Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this stunning double/single action revolver today for a penny start auction, this is the Phillip Quigly Custom engraved Colt Detective Special Second Issue!
Master engraver P.L.Quigley, engraved this particular example. This example features scroll engravings, gold horseshoes, and four-leaf clovers on both sides of the frame. The backstrap behind the hammer features a Gold "L" with a diamond. The butt has the words "LET IT RIDE" engraved. In front of the trigger guard is engraved with the "ENG P.L. Quigley" engraver's name and the cylinder features gold wires, scrolls, and Elegant Elephant Ivory grips.
Master engraver P.L.Quigley, engraved this particular example. This example features scroll engravings, gold horseshoes, and four-leaf clovers on both sides of the frame. The backstrap behind the hammer features a Gold "L" with a diamond. The butt has the words "LET IT RIDE" engraved. In front of the trigger guard is engraved with the "ENG P.L. Quigley" engraver's name and the cylinder features gold wires, scrolls, and Elegant Elephant Ivory grips.
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Detective Special Second Issue
Serial: 548932
Date of Manufacture: 1950
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Serrated ramp front with Square notch rear
Stock/Grips: Genuine ivory
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1927 Colt decided to offer the Police Positive Special with a 2 inch barrel. Colt decided that this new version should have it's own name and in a stroke of genius, the gun was named the Colt Detective Special. For the next 50 years that was exactly what it was: the preferred revolver for police detectives, undercover officers, and off duty policemen. During those years the vast majority of police officers owned a Colt Detective Special. The Detective Special became so identified with law enforcement that it was known on the street as "a cop gun" and anyone carrying it was assumed to be a policeman. It was not unusual in those days for the Detective Special to be as much a badge of office as the actual police badge, and detectives often opened their coat to show the gun to identify themselves instead of showing their badge. So popular was the Colt that S&W didn't offer a really competitive gun until the S&W Chief's Special of 1950. For both police and civilian concealed gun carriers, the Detective Special was the "Gold Standard" in small defensive revolvers up through the 1960's. It was compact, powerful, strong, and held six rounds. The Detective Special was noted for it's better accuracy and higher quality of fit and finish. It's always been considered to be the finest "snubby" revolver.
After World War Two Colt began making minor changes to it's line of guns including the Detective Special. Among other changes was to change the old cylinder retention system from an interlocked screw and stud to a spring and plunger under a cap screw. The front sight was changed from the old style "half moon" to a ramped sight with a serrated rear face to improve the sight picture and had a wider pedestal on the bottom of the sight. Later the front sight was made wider and the pedestal was deleted. To match the wider front sight the rear sight groove was widened. The shape of the hammer spur was changed and it was grooved instead of checkered. The trigger was grooved instead of checkered, and the checkering on the cylinder release was deleted. The ejector rod was lengthened. During the late 1940's into the 1950's the grips were reddish brown plastic called "Coltwood". Later Colt went back to checkered American Walnut with silver Colt medallions. At this time, Colt began assigning letter codes to their frames, and the small frame series was designated as the Colt "D" frame. Prior to this, the Detective Special was referred to only as a Police Positive Special frame. The guns as made from 1947 to 1965 are the Second Issue series.
Contents:
This example will ship with the wooden presentation case with blue lining!
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.
Model: Detective Special Second Issue
Serial: 548932
Date of Manufacture: 1950
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Serrated ramp front with Square notch rear
Stock/Grips: Genuine ivory
Action: Double/Single Action
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1927 Colt decided to offer the Police Positive Special with a 2 inch barrel. Colt decided that this new version should have it's own name and in a stroke of genius, the gun was named the Colt Detective Special. For the next 50 years that was exactly what it was: the preferred revolver for police detectives, undercover officers, and off duty policemen. During those years the vast majority of police officers owned a Colt Detective Special. The Detective Special became so identified with law enforcement that it was known on the street as "a cop gun" and anyone carrying it was assumed to be a policeman. It was not unusual in those days for the Detective Special to be as much a badge of office as the actual police badge, and detectives often opened their coat to show the gun to identify themselves instead of showing their badge. So popular was the Colt that S&W didn't offer a really competitive gun until the S&W Chief's Special of 1950. For both police and civilian concealed gun carriers, the Detective Special was the "Gold Standard" in small defensive revolvers up through the 1960's. It was compact, powerful, strong, and held six rounds. The Detective Special was noted for it's better accuracy and higher quality of fit and finish. It's always been considered to be the finest "snubby" revolver.
After World War Two Colt began making minor changes to it's line of guns including the Detective Special. Among other changes was to change the old cylinder retention system from an interlocked screw and stud to a spring and plunger under a cap screw. The front sight was changed from the old style "half moon" to a ramped sight with a serrated rear face to improve the sight picture and had a wider pedestal on the bottom of the sight. Later the front sight was made wider and the pedestal was deleted. To match the wider front sight the rear sight groove was widened. The shape of the hammer spur was changed and it was grooved instead of checkered. The trigger was grooved instead of checkered, and the checkering on the cylinder release was deleted. The ejector rod was lengthened. During the late 1940's into the 1950's the grips were reddish brown plastic called "Coltwood". Later Colt went back to checkered American Walnut with silver Colt medallions. At this time, Colt began assigning letter codes to their frames, and the small frame series was designated as the Colt "D" frame. Prior to this, the Detective Special was referred to only as a Police Positive Special frame. The guns as made from 1947 to 1965 are the Second Issue series.
Contents:
This example will ship with the wooden presentation case with blue lining!
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 $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
