I found this little gem in a LGS, a second generation minted in 1968. An estate clearance landed it at the LGS on consignment. Holster wear and light pitting on the cylinder and trigger guard (holster) run it down to about 80% but got what I thought was a good deal at five bennies. It's tight and very serviceable, but I'm thinking of a restoration job, meaning re-blue and stock refinish back to 100%. The deep blue on the frame sure looks nice and would look better everywhere. Any Colt guys here have an opinion?

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Looks like a nice one and 500 was a good price.

You gotta do what you think is right, but if you prettify this perfectly good gun, you‘re going to spend time and money to likely reduce its value, at least as long as you’re honest and disclose the cosmetic work upon resale. Won‘t matter if collector/resale value isn‘t a consideration. But I like original much more than redone, even with some wear. Just my opinion, of course.

For comparison, here’s mine, 1970. Looks hideous from a finish point of view, but I’d never do anything to it. Part of its history.

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If you want the gun to appear pristine and new again for your own tastes, have at it!!

I am mostly a Colt guy but my Smiths greatly outnumber my Colts. I have owned a Magnum Carry, DSII and DS's. Presently own a as new third gen DS and a SFVI. Unfortunately they are to nice to carry. Your gun looks pretty good. I would leave it alone and carry it.

Looks like a nice gun for only 5 bills. Clean it up if you plan to keep it!

All honest wear to that DS and IMO looks pretty respectable, you will never be able to match the quality of bluing that was originally applied, if it was me I'd give it a good cleaning and leave it the way it is. Any future increase in value will be lost if you have it refinished.

The finish is fine. All you'll do is decrease the value significantly if you have it refinished. If it works well, shoot it frequently. These guns are slightly easier to master than a J-frame S&W, at least for me, maybe because the Colt is a bit larger.

That is a nice original finish. I was expecting worse, I would leave it be, but your gun, and money.

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Randy

I agree with the no-refinish posts although the OP didn't ask for approval. The finish doesn't appear to be all that bad! I had one back when, wish I still did. Best looking small pistols ever.

I had one of these some 25 years ago. Still kicking myself for letting it go. Yours looks nice, I would leave it as is.

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No baby we aint

I've got two, a 2nd model and a 3rd model...Both are original finish which has held up very well...When I find the elusive 1st model in the same condition, I'll have the trifecta......Ben

Many thanks to this knowledgeable group. I've decided to leave it as is, admiring the patina of age. I've discovered that this example has the dreaded timing error of not quite locking up in single action if the hammer is deliberately pulled. I know nothing of DS lockwork but would do something simple to fix it. My Internet research on the subject is not encouraging, so I'm going to just be careful with it. I don't think it would ever fire out of index as the cylinder bolt snaps in when the hammer releases, but care will be taken to make sure it's fully cocked on each round. Another magnificent anachronism for the collection.

Check with Frank Glenn for a fix. He’s one of the best Colt guys and there are not many around. Congrats on your find!

Nothing wrong with a refinished Dick Special.

Got this one from a member here, gun from 1928, and definitely has been through a refit. Shoots like a dream.

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It's your revolver, do with it as you wish. If it were mine, I'd keep it as-is. You have $500 invested in it. A "cheap" reblue is going to run around $200-$300. A restoration refinish is going to be $300-$400. Doing either will actually decrease the resale value.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I don't have the Dick Special but I have a few Police Positive Specials. The PPS in my pocket right now is a 32 Colt New Police/32 S&W Long with a 4" barrel, and it has an action so smooth it will put a Python to shame.

The PPS, for those not familiar with Colts, are on the same frame as the DS. I recall with some amusement when Massad Ayoob told me that the PPS was a 4" DS, that I corrected him. I advised Mas that the Detective Special was a 2" Police Positive Special. He laughed and said that I was right.

The Police Positive Special was first made around 1907, and the Dick Special first saw the light in 1926.

Colt did make a smaller-frame revolver called the Police Positive, which was smaller than the PPS and I have shot specimens of this revolver that were over 100 years old. It ceased production during WWII if memory serves.

They are darned fine revolvers.

EDIT: Here is a photograph of the 32 I just took on my iPhone.

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Let's be careful out there

Big difference between reblue/ refinish and a full restoration.If you were to have it restored by Turnbull for instance, it will come back looking as if it had just left the factory but at a much greater cost than a standard refinish. It is your choice to make!

I picked this one up about 2 years ago for $600. and I have no regrets. Also, it's a great little shooter.

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