After accidentally coming into ownership of a Colt Cobra, I think I may have become somewhat smitten with these smaller Colt offerings, now looking to possess an Agent and Detective Special. I like the lines of the guns that are post 1972, those that have the extractor rod shroud under the barrel as I never cared for the look of the unsecured rod .
A couple of things have puzzled me however, one of which is the hammer. Nearly every 'mint' gun I have seen has a hammer that has rust-looking marks on it. Is that because they aren't case colored? And also the side plates seem not to have the seamless fit that the Smith & Wesson has.

I didn't really need to encounter this new interest.
Ed

I have had a love affair with the D frames for a long time, my personal favorite is the Agent or Cobra with the factory hammer shroud.

I have a couple of D frame Colts but all are 4". Never had a snubby. Mine are all top drawer on fit and finish.

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No life story has happy end.

I had never been too attracted to Colt double actions until I got my first DS. They are very nice little guns!

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Even older, even crankier....

I also have noticed the hammer oxidizing on some Colts .The one that just came back from Colt(repaired) Had the hammer cleaned & polished Along with other work.

Yup, sides left in-the-white, IDK why. Just is. Don't discount the unshrouded ejector rods. The semi-patridge front sight is a whole lot crisper to pick-up than the latter version with the long ramp.

My first carry gun, back in 1971, was a nickle plated Cobra. Carried it for many years, before I got smitten by 1911s.

I still have that Cobra, and am back to carrying revolvers.

Tom

In many ways the early D frames hit a perfect size for having six shots.

Very lean and light.

The unshrouded DS is very close in size to the Chiefs. Surprised me.

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I usually carry a Colt Agent. It is the best all around for me.


I put some rubber stocks on it and use a shoulder rig. Upper left in the pic.

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Dennis

heres a little da colt i just picked up a while ago. a police positive in .22 shown with a revolver we all recognize for a sense of scale .

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the rules? there are no rules

Always thought the only Colt revolver I'd ever own is my SAA, 45lc. That is until I happened upon a pristine D frame Police Positive last year. Like it enough to be on the look out for a Detective Special. The D frame seems to get along in the safe quite nicely with my Smith wheelguns.

My first legal carry gun was a 2" 3rd issue Detective Special. The first time my wife shot it she immediately claimed it for her own. Took me more than 20 years to finally get it back.

The Dick Spl. is a superb Belt Holster Carry Gun and the 6th shot is a great bonus. Control of stiff +P Buffalo Bore loads is terrific and they are quite accurate too! If you are going to Pocket Carry, it's a wee bit large and that's where the Chief's Spl. comes into it's own.

If Colt got off its Butt and once again produced the Dick Special in Stainless in a 2" and 3" version I doubt they could keep them on the shelves in the LGS's. Of course with no I/L ......

I have 1920s Police Positive Special in 38 Special, as well as a 1950s Detective Special.

Both are great shooting and great looking guns. My DS has the hammer shroud, which makes it a bit bulkier but still relatively small.

And, since we all like pictures

I have 3, a 1966 nickeled Old Model, a 1974 DS 72 and a 1906 Police Positive in 38 S&W. Curiously enough, the Cobra was one of my Grail Guns of my youth, then when I finally got to fire one I found I preferred The Feel of Steel.