Weird Colt Detective Special

[Loyaljeeper]

So, a month ago I wondered into one of the best pawn shops for finding jewels, and was told about a special piece just taken in. I noticed that it was a flat, matte finish 3rd issue Detective Special, but over the last month I researched it to realize something wasn't correct about it. So when they called today and said it was out of pawn I stopped back in and confirmed the oddities that I suspected. It was a 9145** serial number and had the 2nd issue style hammer, but with a shrouded barrel. The finish on the frame is the same as the barrel. While it could have been rebarreled, I really think the finish matches and it looks really clean. The serial number dates it to 1966, and about seven years before shrouded barrels. The finish may actually be an aftermarket parkerization now that I examine it. They wanted $370 OTD which I paid without haggling because they always give me a heads up on what they take in and give me first dibs. I am not crazy about the faux stag Jay Scott grips but I know some people like them.

So, did people often rebarrel Detective Specials? Was that an easy conversion? Anything to look for knowing that this may be a revarreled revolver?

 

[Loyaljeeper]

 

[Bakebfr480]

I think you over-payed. Looks pieced together to me.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I had been wanting a shooter grade Detective Special, and I didn't think I could find one any cheaper that was as tight as this one. I thought about passing, but it was the cheapest Dick I had seen in a long time.

 

[eveled]

How's it shoot? Looks like a good carry gun. If you overpaid, its worth the extra you spent to maintain a relationship like that. Hopefully the next one is a real gem.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I will shoot it next week. It's funny; every time they get a revolver they hit me up. I have bought, at great deals, several 2, 2.5, and 3" k frames there over the last few years.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

If someone sent a 2nd issue Dick back to Colt in the 70's and 80's is there any chance the factory could have installed a shrouded barrel?

 

[daddio202]

Ipac should be along with comments. He is very knowledgeable on older Colts and may know what the story is. It may just be pieced together with a parkerized finish though.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I think that's a real good price for that gun. You got a Plus P appropriate snub with one extra shot more than a S&W Model 442 which costs about that price used now. And it's about $400 less than a new Colt Cobra but serves the same purpose. Very good score on that one. And those guns have a million inexpensive but great grip options.

 

[Iggy]

I think you did well.. You got a good 6 shooter.

 

[DWalt]

If the SN is D9145**, that would place it at 1966, well before the shrouded barrel was used. Meaning that it is almost certain to have a later replacement barrel. Does it have the long or short grip frame?

If you really wanted a DS user, you got it. I can't say the price is either good or bad as you are the best judge of that. I have only one DS, and it's from ca. 1960 and in pleasingly high condition. I paid $475 for it about 2 years ago from a guy who had three of them. I took the best one.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

It is the short frame.

 

[Lonestar57]

Everything looks correct on the gun including shortened grip frame which started in 1966. The shrouded ejector rod slotted barrel as mentioned came later, around 1973. I agree with others. The gun has been re-finished and re-barreled. Not that uncommon at one time when Colt parts and Colt revolver gunsmiths were more plentiful. Anyway, nice gun for the money you paid. You could more than likely sell the parts and re-coop your current investment including the vintage Jay Scott grips.

 

[silversnake]

I think that's a real good price for that gun. You got a Plus P appropriate snub with one extra shot more than a S&W Model 442 which costs about that price used now. And it's about $400 less than a new Colt Cobra but serves the same purpose. Very good score on that one. And those guns have a million inexpensive but great grip options.

I think it's a great gun for the money but just an fyi Colt never rated the older DSs for +P

 

[31FordA]

I would've bought it for $370, you couldn't get anything comparable for that money. If it shoots good thats all that really matters. Maintaining the good relationship with the shop is a plus also.

 

[Lonestar57]

I think it's a great gun for the money but just an fyi Colt never rated the older DSs for +P

That occurred also in 1973. According to Colt source material it was rated for up to 3000 rounds of +P ammunition at that time.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Ipac should be along with comments. He is very knowledgeable on older Colts and may know what the story is. It may just be pieced together with a parkerized finish though.

Well, I'm not Ipac, but here's my .02 cents! I've put shrouded barrels on a couple of pencil barrel Colt Detective Special revolvers. Back in the day (1970s through 1980s) the Colt DS went for around fifty bucks when sold from cop to cop. Remember, getting a handgun license in NYC was (and is) all but impossible. So the market for used handguns was just plain dead.

This Colt DS came from the Equipment Section (around $80 bucks) about 1971. Pencil barrel with short frame. Had the gunsmith in the Firearms and Tactics Section put on the shrouded barrel a few years later (they had a draw full of them!). The ground down escutcheon was so I could use a speedloader (never did).
https://i.imgur.com/ZJ7b9xf.jpg?1

This is a full frame DS (given to me), which I had a shrouded barrel put on. Also ground down the sharp edges, as I did with the DS seen above. White nail polish on the front sight.
https://i.imgur.com/TwREbbU.jpg?1

Rich

 

[DWalt]

"You could more than likely sell the parts and re-coop your current investment"

A couple of years ago I was trying to find a replacement DS hammer for a friend. The cheapest was $175, and I found a couple of others for over $200. My friend decided that was more than he wanted to spend and didn't change his bobbed hammer (someone had bobbed the hammer on his).

 

[Pig Hunter]

While the DS and Police Positive Special weren't +P rated, they were cleared for 38-44, with a rebuild recommended after 1000 rounds. That old 38-44 was the original +P+ !

 

[NCBeagle]

I will shoot it next week. It's funny; every time they get a revolver they hit me up. I have bought, at great deals, several 2, 2.5, and 3" k frames there over the last few years.

I agree that it is worth fostering a relationship like that. "My" local gun shop calls me about revolvers that might be of interest and I really, really, appreciate it. Some good scores this way over the years. I've bought more than a few guns on which I would have passed if not for this relationship. That works for me. Of course, I have no problem declining if it's not a close call.