Colt Detective Special (price check)

[wagsfn]

Thinking on making an offer to a friend on his Colt Detective Special .38spl. No box or papers. Condition would be VG to Excellent. Serial No. 916XXX which Colt website has 3 manufacture dates of 1964/65/66? What would be a fair offer to my friend? GB is all over the place on prices.... Appreciate the help! Thx!

 

[NYlakesider]

Assuming you have done the mechanical tests and all is OK $600- $650 would be in order

 

[CH4]

Howdy
That's a 2nd issue, which were made between about 1947-1972. Since yours has the short grip frame, it was made in 1966 or later. The grips are in nice shape. $750 to $1000. If you can get it for less, good for you.

I prefer the looks of the 3rd issue, but my nickel
2nd issue from 1964 is pretty handsome - into it for about $1100. One of my birth year guns.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I agree with $600-650. If I were the seller I’d ask $650 but as the buyer I’d offer $600 which is fair.

 

[wagsfn]

Howdy
That's a 2nd issue, which were made between about 1947-1972. Since yours has the short grip frame, it was made in 1966 or later. The grips are in nice shape. $750 to $1000. If you can get it for less, good for you.

Thank you for the valuable information concerning 2nd issue, short grip frame & year of manufacture. Bet it's a 1966 then. Going to make my friend an offer. Appreciate the help here!

 

[robertrwalsh]

In CA at retail that would be close to a $1k gun. Might even hit $1k. Of course the selling store would get 20-25% of that on a consignment so $700 more or less would be a fair price for it IMHO.

 

[DWalt]

Those with the postwar long grip frame are more desirable. In a friend to friend transaction, I would go along with the $600-650 range. I would go $50-100 more for a postwar DS with the longer grip frame. Of course, prices would vary in different parts of the country. The last one I bought was seven years ago, from ca. 1960, about 90%. I paid $450 for it. The very early square butt DS versions can bring ,somewhat higher prices.

This assumes a .38 Special. Those in .32 and .38 NP will bring substantially more, especially those in .38 NP. Those are very unusual.

 

[Malysh]

A quick way to assess what year a DS like this is by looking at the hammer rivet. Colt used a hollow rivet similar to an S&W from 1966 through 1969.
Before and after the period, Colt used their traditional solid rivet polished at the surface to be almost undetectible against the sides of the hammer.

 

[wagsfn]

A quick way to assess what year a DS like this is by looking at the hammer rivet. Colt used a hollow rivet similar to an S&W from 1966 through 1969.
Before and after the period, Colt used their traditional solid rivet polished at the surface to be almost undetectible against the sides of the hammer.

Excellent point on the hollow hammer rivet. I guess they are not as desirable and keeps this revolver to "me" in the $600-$650 range. Finding out something new every time I come here. 2nd generation, 1966 manufacture. Still a great buy. I'm stopping by sellers house in a couple hours so I'll make offer. Appreciate the input!

 

[Hawg Rider]

I picked up this Detective Special with original box (2nd Issue, ca. 1952) a few years ago for $750. I had to make a few repairs on the box, and the revolver shows some honest wear, but I was glad to get it. IMHO, $800-$900 would be a fair offer. Good luck!

 

[wagsfn]

I purchased this Detective Special and brought it home. $600. Gave it a good needed cleaning. Honestly, this DS was shot only maybe a couple time since 1966. No scratches, dings, wear, very tight no cylinder play. Absolutely amazing it fell into my lap. I'll post up some pictures sometime today. Appreciate the accurate feedback from members here.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Congrats. Sounds like a reasonable deal for everybody concerned. I am confident you will enjoy your new pony.

 

[DWalt]

The essential snubby. It takes you back to the film noir and crime movies and TV shows of the 1940s and 1950s. No other snubby has the same look and feel. Colt Detective Special - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

 

[wagsfn]

Colt Detective .38spl (1966)

 

[S&W Fan]

Wow, looks like it just came out of the factory, congrats! Even better that it came from a friend.

 

[DWalt]

I am not sure of exactly when, but sometime in the 1950s, the DS extractor rod was lengthened by about a half inch for more complete fired case extraction. I like using heavy reloads in .38 Short Colt cases in snubbies in order to get improved extraction.

 

[Malysh]

Approximately mid 1952

 

[Buick]

Shoot that and enjoy it; I have a 1963 model. It is an amazing shooter with every brand and weight of .38 special I have tried. Definitely a keeper.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Have my Dad's 1950-something. His off duty, then his duty gun as a Captain in a suit.

 

[VaTom]

Very nice Colt DS at a fair price. I am not a Colt expert but I think any pre 1970 Colt revolver in excellent condition at a fair price should be bought. Maybe Colt experts can correct me but around 1970 Colt change the internal mechanisms from the way they had been made previously. This is my only Colt revolver a 1956 Official Police shot very little. I bought it at a local estate auction in 2015 for $395 out the door. What a great revolver.