Maybe the nicest Colt Detective Special I've ever seen :)

[bac1023]

I picked up this little gem last week the same day I picked up my S&W Lemon Squeezer. Its a like new blued Colt Detective Special circa early 1980's. Other than a couple marks on the bottom of the grips, this gun is mint condition. The fact that I got it for $550 out the door is even better. :supergrin:

I've always loved Detective Specials and Colt pretty much built them from 1927 until 1986 in one form or another. There were three different series. The first was from 1927 to 1946, the second from 1947 until 1972, and the third series from 1973 until 1986. After Colt filed for bankruptcy in the early 1990's, they reintroduced the Detective Special and offered a "fourth" series from 1993 until 1995. The third series had the ejector shroud and new grips, which is what this one is.

At any rate, this is my second Colt DS. My other is a vintage 1960 model in the same condition as this one, if not better.

Please enjoy the pics. I know all you classic Colt fans will love this one. :cool:

As always, please share your thoughts. Thanks!


http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/014-7.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/018-6.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/015-3.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/020-3.jpg

[bac1023]

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/023-6.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/021-7.jpg





Here it is with my 1960 model.

They both look like just left the factory. :)


http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/016-5.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/013-5.jpg

[HexHead]

Here's my two. Top one is from 1977, I got it with the original box and papers in 98%+ condition. Not even the slightest hint of a suggestion of a turn line on the cylinder.
The bottom one is from 1978, I paid $450 for it. I'd say it's also in 98% shape. After wiping them down with a silicon cloth, and using a 10x magnifier and a strong light, I was able to ascertain the slightest hint of a suggestion of a turn line on it, so it became my carry one. The 1977 one also has nicer graining on the grips.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/scat999999/64ed7c02.jpg

[shadow_dog]

Makes me wish I had mine back. Traded it back in the mid 80's. Regretted it ever since.

[bac1023]

Very nice HexHead :thumbsup:

[oldnoob]

It's been a while to seen one of those in this good condition. Great find.

[Beretta92guy]

i want to hang-out with bac on his gun-store trips :)

[Ruggles]

Colt had "sexy" nailed in their DA revolvers. :)

[GlockFish]

$550?!! You should play the lottery. Beautiful Colt. Beautiful price.

[bac1023]

Colt had "sexy" nailed in their DA revolvers. :)

Yes they did...

...starting with the Python and going from there. :cool:


http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/000_0002_2-2.jpg

[bac1023]

$550?!! You should play the lottery. Beautiful Colt. Beautiful price.

Thanks

The later Detective Specials don't sell for as much as the older ones. I paid a lot more for my 1960 model from the same shop.

[got2hav1]

Love it.
Great find. I like the third series best of all. Mine is a Nickel from 1975. But I would love to find a nice blue one to go with it. Congrats again its a nice one for sure!

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Looks to be NY compliant :)

___________
I joined the NRA, have you yet?

[BerettaGrl]

So pretty!

[Ruble Noon]

That thing looks new. Very nice find.

[CourtCop]

Hey bac,
I know we live in the same general area of Pa. I have to ask what gun shops do you frequent to pick up these mint condition guns all the time?
Beautiful Colt DS by the way.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire (http://www.outdoorhub.com/mobile/)

[bac1023]

Love it.
Great find. I like the third series best of all. Mine is a Nickel from 1975. But I would love to find a nice blue one to go with it. Congrats again its a nice one for sure!

There was a nickel version in about the same condition for the same price there as well. They were both traded in by the same person. I opted for the blues model, but almost bought both of them.

[TexasVine]

Very nice! Definately on my list.

[bac1023]

Very nice! Definately on my list.

Thanks, my friend...

[hogship]

What luck to fine one at that price......kind of like winning the lottery!

Chalk up one more fine handgun from bac......

ooc

[true believer]

i got one a few months ago...
great gun...i have to find a nice set of wood grips for it..
:wavey:

[bac1023]

i got one a few months ago...
great gun...i have to find a nice set of wood grips for it..
:wavey:

Very nice

That appears to be one of the 1990's models.

[Steel Head]

NICE!
Your on a roll:whistling:

[Bruce M]

Very nice. Colt does some great bluing.

[bac1023]

Looks to be NY compliant :)




:rofl::rofl:

[bac1023]

Very nice. Colt does some great bluing.

They certainly do, Bruce :cool:

[fnfalman]

Excellent find, Bac!!!

I think that I'm all Colt snubbied out...except that I still want a nickel plated something.

[RJ's Guns]

Brian
As I said before, I am amazed how you can find older handguns in such pristine condition. I think that $550, for that condition of a revolver, is a great deal.

Do you have a Colt Cobra yet?

RJ

[jdw174]

Very nice. Colt does some great bluing.

I'd have to upgrade your comment to read that Colt did the greatest bluing EVER. The final polish on their Pythons was done using a leather belt, and no one ever outdid the finish on a Python.

[CajunBass]

Bac don't buy no ugly guns. :supergrin:

[DFin]

I always wanted one like that but the grip seems too long, for me, for concealment. Otherwise thay don't seem much bigger than a S&W J frame. Does anyone make a boot type grip for them?

[bac1023]

Excellent find, Bac!!!

I think that I'm all Colt snubbied out...except that I still want a nickel plated something.

Thanks fnfalman

They had a nickel model there as well in the same condition sold to them by the same guy. I almost bought both of them. They were the same price. It has since sold. :crying:

[bac1023]

I always wanted one like that but the grip seems too long, for me, for concealment. Otherwise thay don't seem much bigger than a S&W J frame. Does anyone make a boot type grip for them?

The earlier Detective Specials had less bulky grips.

[69HEMI-R/T]

Beautiful Colt DS's you have there, sir.I got all my DS's so long ago that $550 sounds outrageous to me! Ha! Guess not anymore!
I do not take regular pictures of my guns anymore so I do not have a picture of my newer (shrouded ejector) DS's but they all still look new including the nickel models!
Glad they are still out there for sale in nice condition. Here is a quick pic of my 1960 Dectective Special and another of it next to my 1965 Python. I did not pay much more than $550 for my Python back when I bought it.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/69HEMICHARGER/P1010003.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/69HEMICHARGER/P1010006.jpg

[bac1023]

Very nice Hemi

Beautiful revolvers you have there :thumbsup:

[fnfalman]

Okay, this thread calls for a D-frame flower.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f308/fnfalman/Guns/MiltSparks029.jpg

[38 Super Fan]

$550, nice! :cool:

[SigFTW]

I don't know if it's your camera skills, the bluing looks fantastic! Congrats on a great find!

[bac1023]

Okay, this thread calls for a D-frame flower.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f308/fnfalman/Guns/MiltSparks029.jpg

Very nice, fnfalman

[bac1023]

I don't know if it's your camera skills, the bluing looks fantastic! Congrats on a great find!

Thanks!

In this case, it's more the gun than my camera skills :)

[Stevekozak]

Very nice!!When I am feeling blue, I just look for one of your threads to cheer me up!! :)

[LawScholar]

I love mine, but dang, yours look like they were made yesterday. I use mine for carry :) The lighting makes it look more worn than it is, some of what look like wear spots are light glinting on the blue.

230629

[M&P15T]

BAC, I have a mental image of you busting out the vacum cleaner every time you want to take a picture of one of your firearms.

[Berto]

C'mon man. Stop buying all the nice guns. We're running out.

[bac1023]

I love mine, but dang, yours look like they were made yesterday. I use mine for carry :) The lighting makes it look more worn than it is, some of what look like wear spots are light glinting on the blue.

230629

Very nice, my friend. :)

[misunderestimated]

Best of Luck with your New Old colt..

it was my first Carry Gun I thought it was the slickest gun ever

Me and my colt been thru allot, A colt detective special always brings back great memories of my youth and learning how to use speed loader.

[got2hav1]

There was a nickel version in about the same condition for the same price there as well. They were both traded in by the same person. I opted for the blues model, but almost bought both of them.

Go back, go back! :rofl:
Oh, I see the response... its already gone.

[iflyem1]

I always loved revolvers, still do!!

[sawgrass]

Lots of beautiful revolvers in this thread.:wow:

[bac1023]

Go back, go back! :rofl:
Oh, I see the response... its already gone.

Yeah, I would have liked the nickel model, but two Detective Specials are enough for me. I do prefer a nice blued finish, especially on revolvers.

[true believer]

hey bac, i need a good place to find wood grips for mine, any ideals?
thanks..
:wavey:

[bac1023]

hey bac, i need a good place to find wood grips for mine, any ideals?
thanks..
:wavey:

You can find Python grips on Gunbroker. You may be able to find DS grips as well.

[BicycleDay43]

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/023-6.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/021-7.jpg





Here it is with my 1960 model.

They both look like just left the factory. :)


http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/016-5.jpg

http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/cutillo_2011/013-5.jpg

Those are two fantastic looking wheel guns, Bac. Gotta love 'em with the original grips. :wavey:

Sent from the Duke City using OHM

[bac1023]

Those are two fantastic looking wheel guns, Bac. Gotta love 'em with the original grips. :wavey:



Thanks, my friend. :)

[deguelo]

stone beautiful, brian.

i scored a very nice 3" detective special a few years ago for $495. to my eye, it's the most becoming ds model. it's now my wife's favorite......


old colts, new smiths for me........ regards-- deguelo

[bac1023]

stone beautiful, brian.



Thanks, my friend

[Fox]

I wish that Colt would resume production of the Detective Special.

[silversport]

nice to see both the earlier and later generations...nice find bac...

Bill

[FLRon777]

Congratulations on your beautiful DS BAC. The DS is perhaps my favorite CCW revolver and a great value as well. I don't know how much longer they will be available at such modest prices, particularly when you find one in pristine condition, but you will always be glad you added them to your collection.

Enjoy her in good health! :)

[DirtNap]

Bit late BUT I Just scored this rare 3rd series 3" DS for a awesome price.......Serial number dates it to 1982 Production.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/image583.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/image582.jpg

[skeeter7]

Congrats! Beautiful gun! :thumbsup:

[bac1023]

Very nice, Dirtnap. It looks to be in fine shape. :cool:

[janice6]

Thoughts?

You have another beautiful gun. Congratulations.

[DirtNap]

Thanks guys and gals, The gun was never holstered , fired less than 50 times and spent its life as a night stand gun. She had some light flecking on her but overall the gun rates a 95% on the finish and 100% mechanically as the timing is perfect and lock up rock solid.