Can anyone tell me what model Colt this is and possible mfg date. I don't know much about Colts but after looking this one I wanted it.

Looks like a Detective Special. My wife has 2, loves them. The grips look like those used in the 70's but the unshrouded barrel looks earlier maybe. Colt continued using the unshrouded barrels on .32's well into the 70's.

Do an on-line search: Colt serial numbers. Easy to find.

Yes it was! 1966-67 Colt Detective Special, grips are not original.

I'm pretty sure it's a Detective Special Generation 2 (made from 1947 until 1972), wearing DS Generation 3 (made from 1973 until 1986) stocks. I have a Gen 3 DS, it's my carry gun, and I just replaced the original stocks with Hogue Pau Ferro which fit my hand perfectly. It's my favorite snub!

Pretty revolver. I like it too.

Here are two places to research Colt serial #'s

Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture

Serial Number Data

The gen 2 guns also had a frame change around 1966, so that is why it can wear the later 73 grips.

Left gun is pre 66, right is post 66.




If you want it to look original, you need these grips...insert is a pachmayr 7L...you can still find them on ebay from time to time, or get a tyler T.



If you find these wood grips, remember you need the ones for the shorter frame (post 66)...they will have wood spacers that connect below the frame. The pre 66 panels will be flush all the way down and the bottom of the frame will be exposed.



If you plan on shooting it a bunch, these grips are great. These are the original grips that came on my 94' DS.

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

Detective Special is one of the revolvers on my bucket list.
An earlier one, with the longer grip frame.
Or any halfway decent pre-'69-'70 ish.

In response to your thread title, I think Colts are fine horses, mighty fine indeed.

I hate to post a Colt photo on a S&W forum but here you go; a photo of my Coly Detective Special 38, 2 inch blue, 1970.

colt detective special 38.jpg