How do you determine the precise age of a Colt Detective Special?

Art SC · September 10, 2007, 09:13 PM

My wife inherited a Colt Detective Special (.38 snub-nosed). It's a handsome little gun that shoots incredibly accurate out to about 25 yds. I've been able to determine that it IS a Series II Colt DS made between 1947-1972 since there is no ejector rod shroud. I've also been able to determine it is NOT a post-1966 DS because it has no wrap-around grip nor is there a letter preceeding the serial number. So now I'm between 1947 and 1966. The serial number is 548xxx. I've not been able to get any direct assistance from Colt Manufacturing. Any help you might give in narrowing this down for me would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Steven Mace · September 11, 2007, 12:12 AM

Art SC, my information shows the Colt Detective Special had a serial number range of 542400-571499 in 1950. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

Trapper L · September 11, 2007, 03:23 PM

Looks like its a year model 1952.

http://www.proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

Scroll down to Detective Special on the left under Double Action and click on it. Serial number ranges and dates on the right.

Art SC · September 11, 2007, 09:32 PM

I'm impressed! Thanks Trapper & Steve. Looking closely at the site Trapper gave, it definitely looks like Steve is right. 1950! Heck, that gun is older than I am!

September 10, 2007, 09:13 PM	#1
Art SC Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Columbia area, South Carolina Posts: 19	How do you determine the precise age of a Colt Detective Special? My wife inherited a Colt Detective Special (.38 snub-nosed). It's a handsome little gun that shoots incredibly accurate out to about 25 yds. I've been able to determine that it IS a Series II Colt DS made between 1947-1972 since there is no ejector rod shroud. I've also been able to determine it is NOT a post-1966 DS because it has no wrap-around grip nor is there a letter preceeding the serial number. So now I'm between 1947 and 1966. The serial number is 548xxx. I've not been able to get any direct assistance from Colt Manufacturing. Any help you might give in narrowing this down for me would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

September 11, 2007, 12:12 AM	#2
Steven Mace Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 1999 Location: Clifton, Colorado USA Posts: 724	Art SC, my information shows the Colt Detective Special had a serial number range of 542400-571499 in 1950. Hope this helps! Steve Mace __________________ After today, its all historical

September 11, 2007, 09:32 PM	#4
Art SC Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Columbia area, South Carolina Posts: 19	Thanks! I'm impressed! Thanks Trapper & Steve. Looking closely at the site Trapper gave, it definitely looks like Steve is right. 1950! Heck, that gun is older than I am!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

September 11, 2007, 03:23 PM	#3
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	Looks like its a year model 1952. http://www.proofhouse.com/colt/index.html Scroll down to Detective Special on the left under Double Action and click on it. Serial number ranges and dates on the right.