I just saw an ad from a LGS selling this blued 4 inch Colt King Cobra in .38 special. I was under the impression that back then the King Cobra was a .357 Magnum. Any thoughts ?

Colt did make them in .38 Special. No idea on value, but you’ll find some information here:
Extremely Scarce Colt King Cobra .38 Special In Box w/ Letter

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Thanks a lot. Never saw one in .38.

I saw this ad when I googled but I tend to take sellers’ and gun shops’ descriptions and claims of rarity with a pinch of salt. So wondering if someone, a collector, has more info.

Colt also made Pythons in 38 Special, with an 8 inch barrel. I used to see them at gun shows and the same 38 Special Pythons were there every show, year after year. I guess that chambering a 357 Magnum revolver in 38 Special did not sell as well as Colt might have thought.

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There’s probably something to the special contract run theory. I found several others offered for sale on Czech websites. I’ve never heard of one until today.

There’s nothing in the Blue Book or the old Gun Digest Annuals on that variation. I would expect a pristine example to easily top $1500 at auction here. Snake fever has hit the USA hard, but I imagine the gun wouldn’t bring near as much overseas. What does the dealer have it priced at?

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"I also cook."

995 Swiss Francs which is $ 1100.-

I knew a guy that had a 38spl 686. The story was he was living overseas he couldn’t own a magnum at the time. He brought it back to the states with him.

Are the chambers/charge holes really 38 SPC or
357 with 38 SPC stamped on the barrel to make them "legal".

I haven’t seen the gun in person yet

Brazil, Mexico and some US police and security companies allow only .38's. Otherwise, most buyers want .357's.

But a Colt COLLECTOR might prize such a .38.

How was he able to do that? I've always been under the impression that Americans could not bring a handgun back into the U.S. Perhaps there is a military exemption? Thanks.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I thought it was special enough and I’m a sucker for Colt DA revolvers and blued guns, so I bought it last night in a 3 guns deal. Got it for an even $ 1000.- but couldn’t take it home, I need another license for it. Serial number indicates built in 1993 according to Colt website. I checked the chambers and they’re cut for .38 special, .357 won’t fit.

Given the current firearms market and that it is a Colt factory chambered in what would be considered a "non-standard" caliber and in fantastic condition, I don't think you got taken.

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I knew a guy that had a 38spl 686. The story was he was living overseas he couldn’t own a magnum at the time. He brought it back to the states with him. In France no Military cal...M1a's are in 270/243 win. In Mexico I couldn't own a 9mm Pistol even with Mexican Gov Pistol Permit but 38Super was Fine...130 Gr bullet at 1300 FPS way more deadly then a Nato 9mm. 38 Spl is common in South America Civilian Arms.

CLASSIC 12... I thought the Only Special License the Swiss need is for Full Automatic Arms...Pistol require a License???????????? Has the Laws Changed Recently?????

We need a regular permit for most firearms and an exceptional permit for full auto weapons

I emailed Colt archives and got a very quick reply :

“These are unusual to see, as the overwhelming majority were sold to Mexico, where I believe there is a caliber restriction for anything over 38 (part of the reason 38 Super is popular there). I’m sure a number were probably sent to Europe as well. There were actually several thousand produced – approx.. 4,000.”

And a smart*** friend said “when you have enough Pythons, you buy a King Cobra”

I don't have any blue Cobras but yours and my stainless Cobra are built like battle ships. Is there a SWISS Navy?

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Well there’s a merchant marine

Merchant Marine of Switzerland - Wikipedia

I´ve seen a couple of those King Cobra in 38 special. Mostly in the hands of private security and armoured cars crews.

The 38 super is NOT LEGAL IN MEXICO since 1972. The "biggest calibers allowed to civilians are 380 and 38 spl.

The super has always been popular, because it inherited the popularity of the 38 ACP, wich was considered a very reliable cartridge in the early 20th century

Prior to the infamous 1972 law. You could buy any caliber that you wanted.

I late friend of mine, whose family owned 3 gunshops in down town Mexico City, once told me that for every 45 acp sold to a civilian, they sold 9 38 supers. It was a very popular round in those days.

One thing he told me, is that the 2 extra rounds were a very important motive for its popularity, along with two other facts:

1.- 38 super was less expensive than 45

2.- Although the 45 acp was legal for civilians to have, back in the day, the military tend to discourage its ownership because they belive that only them should have acces to it.

In the early 70´s I remember that my late gandfather use to carry a Government model in 38 super, along with a S&W M 40 as a back up.

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