Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this desirable "snubby" double-action revolver today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Detective Special (Second Issue)!
The Colt Detective Special (Second Issue) was manufactured between 1947 and 1965!
The Colt Detective Special (Second Issue) was manufactured between 1947 and 1965!
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Detective Special (Second Issue)
Serial: 580913
Date of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Ramp with Serrated Rear Face Front and Frame Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Brown Checkered Synthetic "Coltwood" with Rampant Colt Logo
Action: Double
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1927, Colt offered the Police Positive Special with a 2-inch barrel. Colt agreed that this new version should have a different name, and in a stroke of genius, the gun was named the Colt Detective Special. For the next 50 years, that was precisely what it was: the preferred revolver for police detectives, undercover officers, and off-duty policemen. During those years, most 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 coats 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 police and civilian concealed gun carriers, the Detective Special was the "Gold Standard" in small defensive revolvers up through the 1960s. It was compact, powerful, robust, and held six rounds. The Detective Special was noted for its 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 its 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 grooved instead of checkered. The trigger was grooved instead of checkered, and the cylinder release checkering was deleted. The ejector rod was lengthened. During the late 1940s into the 1950s, 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. Before this, the Detective Special was referred to only as a Police Positive Special frame. The guns made from 1947 to 1965 are the Second Issue series.
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: 580913
Date of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Nickel
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Ramp with Serrated Rear Face Front and Frame Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Brown Checkered Synthetic "Coltwood" with Rampant Colt Logo
Action: Double
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In 1927, Colt offered the Police Positive Special with a 2-inch barrel. Colt agreed that this new version should have a different name, and in a stroke of genius, the gun was named the Colt Detective Special. For the next 50 years, that was precisely what it was: the preferred revolver for police detectives, undercover officers, and off-duty policemen. During those years, most 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 coats 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 police and civilian concealed gun carriers, the Detective Special was the "Gold Standard" in small defensive revolvers up through the 1960s. It was compact, powerful, robust, and held six rounds. The Detective Special was noted for its 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 its 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 grooved instead of checkered. The trigger was grooved instead of checkered, and the cylinder release checkering was deleted. The ejector rod was lengthened. During the late 1940s into the 1950s, 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. Before this, the Detective Special was referred to only as a Police Positive Special frame. The guns made from 1947 to 1965 are the Second Issue series.
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
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.
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
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