The Other Brand

Ole Joe Clark · #1 08-11-2017, 01:08 PM

The attached photos are of my Much Better Half's Colt Detective Special. She has owned it +/-40 years or so. I was going to order a Tyler T Grip adapter for it, but their home page says they only fit original grips.

I need someone to tell me if these are the original grips, and if not what do I need? I know some of you guys can shed some light on my problem. The serial # is HA38XX.

Thanks in advance,

Leon

loknload · #2 08-11-2017, 01:17 PM

They look like the same originals that are on mine!

Buford57 · #3 08-11-2017, 01:23 PM

Colt had its version of the old S&W "service stocks". My 1951 Cobra has those and a T-grip works fine. Since your MBH's current grips (which look right for that era) already fill the space that a T-Grip would occupy, I don't see one working for you.

(OK purists, I think I used the right nomenclature for the wooden parts of S&Ws and Colts. Just don't ask me about yokes and cranes)

Ole Joe Clark · #4 08-11-2017, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the quick response! About what year of mfg is this one?

lonestar57 · #5 08-11-2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark

Thanks for the quick response! About what year of mfg is this one?

Try it here:
Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture

bmcgilvray · #6 08-11-2017, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark

The attached photos are of my Much Better Half's Colt Detective Special. She has owned it +/-40 years or so. I was going to order a Tyler T Grip adapter for it, but their home page says they only fit original grips.

I need someone to tell me if these are the original grips, and if not what do I need? I know some of you guys can shed some light on my problem. The serial # is HA38XX.

Thanks in advance,

Leon

Those are Original Colt grips but of a later design intended to provide for more hand-filling control, same as the T-Grip will on earlier Detective Special revolvers with their factory provided grips.

It's hard to beat the old style grips with an added T-Grip, on either Colt or Smith & Wesson revolvers. I hate their looks but like to use 'em.

153 · #7 08-11-2017, 05:25 PM

Nice revolvers!

My old Cobra with a Pachmayr adapter ...

Absalom · #8 08-11-2017, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

Those are Original Colt grips but of a later design intended to provide for more hand-filling control, same as the T-Grip will on earlier Detective Special revolvers with their factory provided grips....

Exactly. The simple principle to remember is that for adapters to work, the grips you want to use must expose the front strap of the grip frame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

...It's hard to beat the old style grips with an added T-Grip, on either Colt or Smith & Wesson revolvers. I hate their looks but like to use 'em.....

I actually really like the looks, much better than a larger non-original aftermaket grip. While we're showing them off, here are a couple of Detective Specials I've owned with Tylers.

DWalt · #9 08-11-2017, 06:57 PM

Depends on your hands. I prefer the old-style DS grips without the grip adapter. The newer Colt DS grips (like yours) essentially have the "grip adapter" built in.