First Colt...couple of questions

TennJed · January 24, 2013, 11:00 PM

I picked up my first colt today in a trade. It was sort of a whim trade, which is unusual for me. Honestly I am happy with the trade regardless of money. I traded a CZ Rami that was in great condition I just never shot it much. Never quite warmed up to it. I always wanted a colt revolver, but I am more familiar with their Single Action.

First thing I want to ask is how do I tell if the grips are real mother of pearl? When I saw the picture of the gun I assumed they were fake, but after meeting the guy (he wasn't sure) they don't look "plastic" to me. They have a rainbow like sheen when held just right.

Second question is, how good of a gun is this? It is a detective special in 38 sp. I am familiar with the name, but do not really know much about them. Gunbroker shows the values running from $400 to $1200 on detective specials, so i really don't know where to begin. It is in what I would consider good shape. one big scratch on the front of the trigger guard that runs onto the right side. Another small mark under the barrel. The rest of it seems to be good. The nickel is in good shape everywhere else. Most importantly the lockup is tight and the bore is good.

So what do I have and how did I do? Here are some crappy cellphone pics. I paid $540 for the CZ new a couple of years ago. I am not really sure what they bring used. ETA the serial # is 41xxxx

TennJed · January 26, 2013, 01:42 AM

Ok maybe this pics will turn out better. Any help in determining if the finish is original would be apprciated. The frist two are the best representation of the color hue. It has a bronze like sheen to it. The 3rd pic shows the big bad spot in the finish

TennJed · January 26, 2013, 01:43 AM

DFrame · January 27, 2013, 08:15 PM

Hard to go wrong with a Detective. One of, if not THE, best snub nosed revolvers EVER made. Hard to tell if your stocks are real MOP or not from the pix. Real MOP will feel gritty if you rub it across your teeth. Most plastic knockoffs will feel smooth. If they ARE real MOPs you should be aware that MOP stocks tend to be a bit fragile and are easily broken. For shooting purposes I'd pick up a cheap pair of rubber stocks and put the mops away for safe keeping, then I'd shoot the heck out of that FINE revolver.

January 24, 2013, 11:00 PM	#1
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,247	First Colt...couple of questions...UPDATED PICS I picked up my first colt today in a trade. It was sort of a whim trade, which is unusual for me. Honestly I am happy with the trade regardless of money. I traded a CZ Rami that was in great condition I just never shot it much. Never quite warmed up to it. I always wanted a colt revolver, but I am more familiar with their Single Action. First thing I want to ask is how do I tell if the grips are real mother of pearl? When I saw the picture of the gun I assumed they were fake, but after meeting the guy (he wasn't sure) they don't look "plastic" to me. They have a rainbow like sheen when held just right. Second question is, how good of a gun is this? It is a detective special in 38 sp. I am familiar with the name, but do not really know much about them. Gunbroker shows the values running from $400 to $1200 on detective specials, so i really don't know where to begin. It is in what I would consider good shape. one big scratch on the front of the trigger guard that runs onto the right side. Another small mark under the barrel. The rest of it seems to be good. The nickel is in good shape everywhere else. Most importantly the lockup is tight and the bore is good. So what do I have and how did I do? Here are some crappy cellphone pics. I paid $540 for the CZ new a couple of years ago. I am not really sure what they bring used. ETA the serial # is 41xxxx __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river Last edited by TennJed; January 26, 2013 at 01:45 AM.

January 26, 2013, 01:42 AM	#2
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,247	Ok maybe this pics will turn out better. Any help in determining if the finish is original would be apprciated. The frist two are the best representation of the color hue. It has a bronze like sheen to it. The 3rd pic shows the big bad spot in the finish __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

January 26, 2013, 01:43 AM	#3
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,247	__________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

January 27, 2013, 08:15 PM	#4
DFrame Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: central Illinois Posts: 453	Hard to go wrong with a Detective. One of, if not THE, best snub nosed revolvers EVER made. Hard to tell if your stocks are real MOP or not from the pix. Real MOP will feel gritty if you rub it across your teeth. Most plastic knockoffs will feel smooth. If they ARE real MOPs you should be aware that MOP stocks tend to be a bit fragile and are easily broken. For shooting purposes I'd pick up a cheap pair of rubber stocks and put the mops away for safe keeping, then I'd shoot the heck out of that FINE revolver. __________________ Mark Lane to William Buckley: "Have you ever referred to Jessee Jackson as an ignoramus?" Buckley: "If I didn't, I should have"