Need DOB on Colt Dick Special

NYlakesider · #1 02-07-2014, 02:45 PM

Yes I know this is a S&W forum but it’s safe to say some on here have/know Colts

. I stopped at a gun shop I go to on occasion and a nice Colt Dick Special caught my eye. I confess to not knowing much about Colts revs. It was an older gun judging by the unshrouded ejector rod. I realize Colts rotate opposite Smiths, the opening thingy is in reverse and the cylinder does not go into full lock up till hammer drops. Thats my total basic knowledge of Colts.

As stated it has a unshrouded rod, its# 9668xx Can anyone here give me the DOB or any other info on this fine weapon!

Condition was very good just a little holster wear by muzzle, grips look very good/ locked up real nice.

As I was doing the paperwork another customer came in saw the gun on the counter said very nice and best bet if I had not bought it he would. I hardly see Colts for sale in any of my many stops at plenty of gun stores

Of course this is the people’s republic of NY so it will be 3 weeks or so before I have the signed by judges amendment sheet in hand so I can take this gun home.

kwselke · #2 02-07-2014, 02:52 PM

D9968XX would be 1969, Serial Number Data Is there a D prefix?

sipowicz · #3 02-07-2014, 03:05 PM

How bout some pics?...some of us are tired of seeing Smiths....

NYlakesider · #4 02-07-2014, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwselke

D9968XX would be 1969, Serial Number Data Is there a D prefix?

Thank you. As stated the gun will live at the LGS for a few days/couple weeks so I cannot look at it at this point.

He put the serial number down on two pieces of legal paper he gave me and the # I gave out is all I see.

I did not have a chance to open the link you kindly sent yet, what does the D signify.

Dave

rusty37874 · #5 02-07-2014, 03:21 PM

At that Serial # Range, It would have the D prefix, & be a 1968 Issue

kwselke · #6 02-07-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYlakesider

Thank you. As stated the gun will live at the LGS for a few days/couple weeks so I cannot look at it at this point.

He put the serial number down on two pieces of legal paper he gave me and the # I gave out is all I see.

I did not have a chance to open the link you kindly sent yet, what does the D signify.

Dave

The serial # list on Proof House shows they started numbering Dectective Specials at 1 in 1908. In 1966 a D was added, but the numbers appear sequential with the prior numbers. Sometime in 1969 the D prefix was replaced with an A then the prefix changes frequently. I do not know if it was a new numbering system to keep the number of digits within reason or if they signify something else. You have to do something to keep the S/N within reason for stamping on a small gun.

NYlakesider · #7 02-07-2014, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty37874

At that Serial # Range, It would have the D prefix, & be a 1968 Issue

Got it Thanks.

Most gun shops up here do not use the -1-2 ETC with Smiths just the model and serial number so best bet when I get the gun the D will be there.

Like said its a very clean gun and hopefully it will be a good shooter. (Time will tell)

NYlakesider · #8 02-07-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwselke

The serial # list on Proof House shows they started numbering Dectective Specials at 1 in 1908. In 1966 a D was added, but the numbers appear sequential with the prior numbers. Sometime in 1969 the D prefix was replaced with an A then the prefix changes frequently. I do not know if it was a new numbering system to keep the number of digits within reason or if they signify something else. You have to do something to keep the S/N within reason for stamping on a small gun.

Thank you! Dave.

Bullet Bob · #9 02-07-2014, 04:45 PM

This one's for you, Sip:

And these are because I already have Fototime open:

3-5-7

Officers Model Target .38 Heavy Barrel:

Old beat-up Official Police - shoots great:

I think that's all the double-action Colts I have.

Texas Star · #10 02-07-2014, 05:28 PM

The serial numbering begun in 1908 would apply to the Police Postive Special. The DS is just a PPS with the butt rounded after 1933. The DS was introduced in 1926. It's a two-inch bbl. instead of the longer options.

In 1958, the extractor rod was lengethend a little. And it needed to be!

The shrouded rod dates from 1972.

sipowicz · #11 02-07-2014, 05:35 PM

Nice DS Bob...my dad has one like yours that he bought new in 69, but he took off the wood as soon as he got it...lucky for me, I found the original grips in pristine condition last trip home and now they reside in my safe. Some day, (I hope in the far far far off future) I will put the wood back on and carry it...until then, I'm stuck carrying the less classic model.

I assume the blue is worn off the barrel like that from many years of ankle carry....

ladder13 · #12 02-07-2014, 06:19 PM

Bought this Dick Special off a retiring NYPD dick some 25 years ago.

sipowicz · #13 02-07-2014, 06:33 PM

For shooting with the original wood, you might want to pic up a tyler t-grip if you could find/order one. I went with the old pachmayr insert when Numrich had them for 7 bucks...makes a big difference when shooting.

Ben_hutcherson · #14 02-07-2014, 07:59 PM

Here's mine, with the factory hammer shroud. They are a bit "chunky" compared to a Chief's Special, but I love shooting mine.

Mine was made around 1956(I think) and has the full-length grip frame.

revho · #15 02-07-2014, 08:10 PM

Heres a couple Sip..

sipowicz · #16 02-08-2014, 02:26 AM

And my BBQ stocks courtesy of Mr. Rimfired.

Texas Star · #17 02-08-2014, 10:21 AM

I think it was about 1966 that Colt made the grip frame shorter, to have their Agent, Cobra, and Det. Spcl. all use the same forged frame. The Agent wore stocks even with the shorter frame; the others had grips that hung below the metal frame. Of course, the wood panels met properly.

NYlakesider · #18 02-24-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwselke

D9968XX would be 1969, Serial Number Data Is there a D prefix?

I finely got the gun home from the dealer. NY procedures require a judge’s signature and that’s the way it is.

I carefully looked over the gun and it’s in very fine shape, best bet it was hardly fired. Stocks are real good, it does have a little holster ware , no screws are buggered, gun is very tight and the bore and the chambers also are very good. I would rate it at 90+ %

I looked the gun over close and there is NO D prefix in the serial number. Looked inside frame in front of cylinder, in yoke and both had serial number, no serial number under the grips.

I paid a little over $400 for it and feel if it shoots as good as it looks I did real well.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

kwselke · #19 02-24-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYlakesider

I finely got the gun home from the dealer. NY procedures require a judge’s signature and that’s the way it is.

I carefully looked over the gun and it’s in very fine shape, best bet it was hardly fired. Stocks are real good, it does have a little holster ware , no screws are buggered, gun is very tight and the bore and the chambers also are very good. I would rate it at 90+ %

I looked the gun over close and there is NO D prefix in the serial number. Looked inside frame in front of cylinder, in yoke and both had serial number, no serial number under the grips.

I paid a little over $400 for it and feel if it shoots as good as it looks I did real well.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

If you have to know the exact ship date you can spend the $ and get a Colt Factory Letter, but in my opinion you did good at $400! Pictures, we need pictures!

RobertJ. · #20 02-24-2014, 03:23 PM

I've posted this before, but why not again?

The DS has become one of my very favorite revolvers!

NYlakesider · #21 02-24-2014, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwselke

If you have to know the exact ship date you can spend the $ and get a Colt Factory Letter, but in my opinion you did good at $400! Pictures, we need pictures!

Very happy so far with my purchase the exact date not important. Waiting for the weather to get better up here (If it ever does) and then the Colt will get a work out.

I'm not a camera person (dont even own one) Pictures I post on line are considered collector items.

If something makes it into my email I might post it.

sipowicz · #22 02-24-2014, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYlakesider

I'm not a camera person (dont even own one) Pictures I post on line are considered collector items.

If something makes it into my email I might post it.

Perhaps you can sketch it for us. It should looks something like this but with a different cylinder release and grips.

NYlakesider · #23 02-24-2014, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Perhaps you can sketch it for us. It should looks something like this but with a different cylinder release and grips.

What a great forum!

Unfortunately I'm only allowed to have crayons and they make too wide a line for fine work.

sheepdawg · #24 02-24-2014, 10:19 PM

No D prefix in the serial # on my 1968 Detective Special. $350out the door about 2 months ago. Couldn't turn that one down. I love the Goodyears, make this sucker fit the hand just right. This one's tight but has seen some pretty good use.

pineappleshooter · #25 02-24-2014, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYlakesider

I finely got the gun home from the dealer. NY procedures require a judge’s signature and that’s the way it is.

I carefully looked over the gun and it’s in very fine shape, best bet it was hardly fired. Stocks are real good, it does have a little holster ware , no screws are buggered, gun is very tight and the bore and the chambers also are very good. I would rate it at 90+ %

I looked the gun over close and there is NO D prefix in the serial number. Looked inside frame in front of cylinder, in yoke and both had serial number, no serial number under the grips.

I paid a little over $400 for it and feel if it shoots as good as it looks I did real well.

Thanks again for your help.

Dave

If it is in the condition you describe you did better than real well. A DS in that shape could sell for north of $550 pretty easily.

NYlakesider · #26 02-25-2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pineappleshooter

If it is in the condition you describe you did better than real well. A DS in that shape could sell for north of $550 pretty easily.

I hit all the many gun shops in about a 50 mile radius, for some reason you hardly see Colt revs for sale. (Not including single actions, they show up at times)

I guess this area is S&W territory

. Years back when the cops all carried revolvers most were S&W (mostly 19s 15s or 10s and SP carried 28s for a while) Hardily ever saw a Colt, there were a few that carried Ruger Security Sixes but it was not that common.

I haggled the price down a few bucks from the tag price and felt I did all right.

If I ever see another Colt at a good price I might give the D.S. a friend in the safe.