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August 31, 2014, 10:23 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: August 30, 2014
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Can't date a Colt Detective Special
I'm trying to figure out exactly what year my mother's Colt Detective Special was from, serial number 975xxx. I've checked the Colt serial number database and it says it's from 1968. On proofhouse.com/colt/index.html, the number suggested that it should have a D prefix and would also be from 1968. However, there is no D on the frame or cylinder. It has a serrated sight, longer ejector (unshielded), and rounded Coltwood grip.
The mystery is that the reason it was purchased (as she remembers it) was at a house they were in and an event that occurred in 1958! She says she put it away when then moved in 1964 and just found it again. So, is this truly from 1968 and just a case of my mother's memory not being what it once was? |
August 31, 2014, 11:09 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: April 22, 2011
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My first suspicion is the serial number is not being read correctly.
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August 31, 2014, 12:11 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: August 30, 2014
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I swear... only one drink tonight... one! ;-)
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August 31, 2014, 12:25 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: October 14, 2009
Location: Sunshine and Keystone States
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Sometimes the D prefixes were omitted, your 1968 estimate is correct. I have one from 1967 that is 935xxx, no prefix.
To be doubly sure, check the length of the grip frame. If the grips are longer than the frame, it is from 1967 or later. If the frame goes to the bottom of the grips, then it is 1966 or earlier. Mine is the former. Last edited by spacecoast; August 31, 2014 at 12:52 PM. |
August 31, 2014, 01:13 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: August 30, 2014
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To be honest, I don't know where to measure either from...
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August 31, 2014, 07:33 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: October 14, 2009
Location: Sunshine and Keystone States
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Nothing to measure, just see where the frame ends in relation to the bottom of the grips. In this first one (a '65), the frame is full length:
The one below is a '67 or later (very similar to mine). You can see how the grips extend down below and wrap around the bottom of the frame: |
August 31, 2014, 08:51 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: August 30, 2014
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Got ya. Yeah, that last picture is identical to the one she has.
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September 7, 2014, 04:11 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: December 24, 2006
Posts: 1,903
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The Colt Detective Special Series 2 is one of the best snubbies ever made IMHO. I still carry mine routinely.
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September 16, 2014, 10:01 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: October 4, 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 3,656
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If you cant land a date with pretty colt girl im sure theres always a nice S&W or Ruger girl that u can find.
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E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug |
September 16, 2014, 11:16 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
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The first short grip strap Colt D frame was the Agent.
After a while they just started making the DS and Cobra the same way. |
September 29, 2014, 07:44 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: November 25, 2008
Location: California
Posts: 1,951
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I have a 5811XX which my dad traded a boat hull he made, for the Colt in the 50's
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http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S. Last edited by armsmaster270; September 29, 2014 at 07:50 PM. |
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