Pre war Colt Detective Special

moosedog · #1 10-26-2017, 10:04 PM

Picked this one up yesterday in a package deal. I think even Dick Tracy would have liked it.
All I need now is my wrist radio and I'll go lock up Itchy and Prune Face. It's from 1936.

SPEEDGUNNER · #2 10-26-2017, 10:06 PM

Very nice, love the checkering on the trigger.

OIF2 · #3 10-26-2017, 10:09 PM

Drop-dead gorgeous!
Bob

blasterp7 · #4 10-26-2017, 10:10 PM

very nice, trigger is awesome. I would be interested in some history on that one!

Targets Guy · #5 10-26-2017, 10:14 PM

That's a beauty. I really like my '41 DS. It is not often my wife lets me shoot it.

robertrwalsh · #6 10-26-2017, 10:21 PM

I have a very early one (1931) that I shoot on very rare occasion. The spacing between the rear of the trigger guard and the front of the grip frame is different from later guns I understand. It has the irritating tendency of slamming my middle finger into the rear of the trigger guard, even with light loads. Makes it uncomfortable to shoot very much, which I wouldn't do anyway. Yours is a VERY NICE example. Much nicer than mine.

chief38 · #7 10-26-2017, 10:42 PM

Moosedog,

You scored big time on that! It's a real beauty!!

model3sw · #8 10-26-2017, 10:47 PM

I have a 1939 that I purchased from Bill Powell back in 2003 along with a few other Colts. Stone cold new, but no box.

Shhh, don't tell anyone in the Club.

model3sw · #9 10-26-2017, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosedog

Picked this one up yesterday in a package deal. I think even Dick Tracy would have liked it.
All I need now is my wrist radio and I'll go lock up Itchy and Prune Face. It's from 1936.

Go get 'em but leave Moon Maid for me.

model3sw · #10 12-09-2017, 12:03 AM

I gave in to a weakness. I just couldn't stand looking at this sweet pre-war Detective Special, without a box.

I'm not asking anyone for sanction nor forgiveness.

I would never try to pass off the box as original 1940 box ... BUT ... the box is soooooo sweet.

(and it cost enough to be a near exact replacement box).

shouldazagged · #11 12-09-2017, 12:58 AM

I am so envious! I love Smiths, but a DS built the year before I was born...<sigh>

Valmet · #12 12-09-2017, 08:56 AM

Very cool old wheelgun. They def don’t make them like they used to.

D Brown · #13 12-09-2017, 11:45 AM

What a beauty moosedog! Nice photos too! Thanks for posting.

iPac · #14 12-09-2017, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by model3sw

I gave in to a weakness. I just couldn't stand looking at this sweet pre-war Detective Special, without a box.

I'm not asking anyone for sanction nor forgiveness.

I would never try to pass off the box as original 1940 box ... BUT ... the box is soooooo sweet.

(and it cost enough to be a near exact replacement box).

Nevermind, I misunderstood your post. The box is a repop, and you are aware of it.

Anyway, nice Detectives guys. Pre-war2 Colt quality was superb. Just look at the DS in the OP, and notice how flat and true the skilled polishers were able to make the frame sides. You only see this on pre-war2 guns, and maybe up to the '50s.

DWalt · #15 12-09-2017, 01:41 PM

A nice condition pre-war DS is not easy to find these days and is usually priced accordingly.

one eye joe · #16 12-09-2017, 03:29 PM

THAT DICK'S SPECIAL IS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS ! ! !

I HAVE NEVER SEEN CHECKERING ON THE FACE OF A TRIGGER BEFORE. IT IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED......

IF ANYTHING, I WOULD EXPECT THE TRIGGER OF A REVOLVER INTENDED FOR QUICK DA USE IN HOSTILE SITUATIONS, TO BE SMOOTH AND ROUNDED.......

IMHO, A CHECKERED TRIGGER MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATELY FOUND ON A TARGET GUN. THAT PARTICULAR CUSTOM TOUCH, MAY BE THE SIGNATURE MARK OF A HIGHLY REGARDED GUNSMITH, UNKNOWN TO ME......

Old cop · #17 12-09-2017, 04:03 PM

I was carrying my issued Detective Special in 1974 while on evening shift when I had to use it in a gunfight with armed robbery suspects. It did its job and I’m still around to enjoy Xmas w/my family. I’m still looking for it so if you have one, serial #689642, please let me know.

one eye joe · #18 12-09-2017, 08:07 PM

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE, I'LL BE ON THE LOOKOUT, BROTHER......

JH1951 · #19 12-09-2017, 10:28 PM

That is a beautiful piece.
Its looks rival those of Sparkle Plenty and Moon Maid!

one eye joe · #20 12-09-2017, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH1951

That is a beautiful piece.
Its looks rival those of Sparkle Plenty and Moon Maid!

NOW THAT IS SERIOUS, BROTHER ! ! !

iPac · #21 12-10-2017, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one eye joe

THAT DICK'S SPECIAL IS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS ! ! !

I HAVE NEVER SEEN CHECKERING ON THE FACE OF A TRIGGER BEFORE. IT IS BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED......

IF ANYTHING, I WOULD EXPECT THE TRIGGER OF A REVOLVER INTENDED FOR QUICK DA USE IN HOSTILE SITUATIONS, TO BE SMOOTH AND ROUNDED.......

IMHO, A CHECKERED TRIGGER MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATELY FOUND ON A TARGET GUN. THAT PARTICULAR CUSTOM TOUCH, MAY BE THE SIGNATURE MARK OF A HIGHLY REGARDED GUNSMITH, UNKNOWN TO ME......

Regarding the checkered trigger, keep in mind pre-war2 Colts aren't my specialty, that feature was actually standard factory for the time.

The Detectives had them and I also had E frame triggers that were checkered, so Officers Models got them too. It's a common feature on pre-war2 Colts. What I'm not 100% on is whether ALL models had them, but quite a few did.

After ww2, they changed the triggers to vertical serrations. At least the E/I frames started with 6 line triggers, then went to 3 lines for the rest of production. The D frames had 3 line triggers and then went to smooth triggers till end of production.

one eye joe · #22 12-10-2017, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPac

Regarding the checkered trigger, keep in mind pre-war2 Colts aren't my specialty, that feature was actually standard factory for the time.

The Detectives had them and I also had E frame triggers that were checkered, so Officers Models got them too. It's a common feature on pre-war2 Colts. What I'm not 100% on is whether ALL models had them, but quite a few did.

After ww2, they changed the triggers to vertical serrations. At least the E/I frames started with 6 line triggers, then went to 3 lines for the rest of production. The D frames had 3 line triggers and then went to smooth triggers till end of production.

THANKS FOR CLEARING THAT UP, iPac. I WAS ALWAYS ENAMORED OF THE COLT "SNAKE" GUNS, STARTING WITH THE COBRAS--WHICH, ODDLY ENOUGH, I NEVER OWNED......

I BEGAN COLLECTING PYTHONS, AND DIAMONDBACKS IN VARIOUS BARREL LENGTHS AND CALIBERS--ALL BRAND NEW. NONE OF THEM WERE SAFE QUEENS. ALL OF THEM WERE SHOT REGULARLY. MANY WERE CARRIED, AND SOME--LIKE MY 8" PYTHON--WERE CARRIED IN THE WOODS, AND ON BOAR HUNTS. (SEE PICS BELOW) AS A RESULT, I NEVER DEVELOPED AN INTEREST IN EARLIER SA OR DA COLT REVOLVERS.......

A DESIRE TO MOVE UP IN CALIBER, WHILE STAYING LOYAL TO MY COLT SNAKE ADDICTION, CAUSED ME TO PURCHASE A BRAND NEW ANACONDA IN .44 MAGNUM, WHEN THEY HIT THE MARKET. WELL, I LOVED THE CALIBER, BUT COULD NOT WARM UP TO GUN, SO I JUMPED SHIP........

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW S&W MODEL 29. I IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE. I HAVE OWNED EVERY BARREL LENGTH FROM 3" TO 8 3/8". I NEVER PURCHASED ANOTHER COLT--EXCEPT FOR MY 4" COLT PYTHON ELITE, IN BRIGHT STAINLESS STEEL---ALLEGEDLY THE LAST OF THE LINE, AND A WORK OF ART......

WHEN S&W BEGAN PRODUCING REVOLVERS WITH THE IL, AND GOODYEAR GRIPS, I MOVED INTO THE USED MARKET. THE M642-1 CAN BE PURCHASED BRAND NEW, SANS THE IL, SO I BOUGHT ONE. I MATED IT WITH A SET OF CRIMSON TRACE LG-405s. ITS A PERFECT EDC PIECE--PIC BELOW......

I HAVE GRAVITATED TO 4" REVOLVERS, AND I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE MOUNTAIN GUNS. I BELIEVE THAT THE 686 IS THE BEST DA REVOLVER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION. IT IS A WORTHY RIVAL TO THE OLD COLT PYTHON. I HAVE A NO DASH 8 3/8" 617 AND A 686, THAT CARRY RED DOTS. THEY BOTH SHOOT LIKE RIFLES. I HAVE A MODEL OF 1989, IN .45 ACP, THAT IS THE MOST ACCURATE, PURELY STOCK, S&W REVOLVER THAT I OWN.....

SO THAT'S MY STORY. I ALSO HAVE A CONCURRENT LOVE AFFAIR WITH MARLIN LEVER RIFLES, THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 60 YEARS. THAT'S A STORY FOR A DIFFERENT FORUM, AND ANOTHER DAY......

Absalom · #23 12-10-2017, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iPac

Regarding the checkered trigger, keep in mind pre-war2 Colts aren't my specialty, that feature was actually standard factory for the time.

The Detectives had them and I also had E frame triggers that were checkered, so Officers Models got them too. It's a common feature on pre-war2 Colts. What I'm not 100% on is whether ALL models had them, but quite a few did.

After ww2, they changed the triggers to vertical serrations. At least the E/I frames started with 6 line triggers, then went to 3 lines for the rest of production. The D frames had 3 line triggers and then went to smooth triggers till end of production.

One correction/addition: At least for the medium frames (technically, frame sizes had no letter designations pre-ww II), the Army Special had a smooth trigger up to the 1926 changes that led to its renaming as the Official Police. Colt went back to the smooth trigger on that frame for the production of the wartime Commando. I’m not sure whether the 1926 changes, which also affected other models, included triggers on the small frames.

kwill1911 · #24 12-10-2017, 06:12 PM

The Ordnance Department preferred the old style square butt and took delivery of roughly 5,000 of them during WWII. One of these went to Military Intelligence and the other to Counterintelligence.

Genetically Swiss · #25 12-10-2017, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valmet

Very cool old wheelgun. They def don’t make them like they used to.

Truth.

GS