Childhood Dream: Colt Dick Special

44caliberkid · April 11, 2022, 04:41 PM

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I had a magazine (might have been Shooters Bible) that had a picture of the Colt Detective Special on the cover. I stared wantonly at that picture, hoping someday to have one. That day is today. Looks like new, unfired. Does anyone know if the white inlay on the front sight is factory? It was made in 1975.

mk70ss · April 11, 2022, 06:21 PM

Inlay in the sight is not factory. But either way, the gun is gorgeous! Congrats

Armybrat · April 11, 2022, 08:01 PM

Sweet Colt fore sure, and the inlay is a practical upgrade IMO.

Butzbach · April 12, 2022, 05:48 AM

My Dad had a DS with the smaller checkered grips. I remember firing it with him holding over my hand circa 1965? It was on the side of a dirt road on some kind of Sunday drive or family vacation. I must have been pretty young. Just the one shot. I recall my ears ringing.

A few years later he flashed it to me and had me walk on his left side during a trip to Hudson’s in downtown Detroit. No carry permit. Just the permit to be judged by 12 instead of carried by 6.

Prof Young · April 12, 2022, 10:07 PM

That just looks like a whole lotta fun.

Life is good.
Prof Young

**44 AMP** · April 13, 2022, 11:55 AM

After scrounging around to find a couple of speed loaders for mine (Agent/Cobra) a friend pointed out that S&W K frame speedloaders will work. and, gosh, he was right!

The whilte on the sight is aftermarket. Otherwise, the gun looks cherry. If you're into Colts, nice find!

highpower3006 · April 14, 2022, 08:42 AM

Is it just me, or does anybody find it odd to call a gun a "dick special"?

Armybrat · April 14, 2022, 09:22 AM

Not in 1930s-1950s parlance.
The current younger generations will raise an eyebrow, of course.

KyJim · April 14, 2022, 10:01 AM

Nice looking revolver. I used to carry a Colt Agent that had the matte finish.

**44 AMP** · April 14, 2022, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Is it just me, or does anybody find it odd to call a gun a "dick special"?

Its just you.

"Back in the day" (as they say now), Police detectives were "dicks". Private Detectives were Private Eyes or Private Dicks. So the snubnose revolver most often carried by them became the "Dick Special". Might also have something to do with the most famous "detective" in the land, at the time, Dick Tracy, who debuted in the comics in 1931.

It's not, and never was a direct sexual reference.

Some of us still remember a time when "dope" had nothing to do with drugs and "gay" had nothing to do with anything sexual.

KyJim · April 14, 2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Some of us still remember a time when "dope" had nothing to do with drugs and "gay" had nothing to do with anything sexual.

Our state song is My Old Kentucky Home. A good number of years ago, the legislature rightfully agreed to change the line "the darkies are gay" to "the people are gay." So far, crickets about any further changes.

bamaranger · April 14, 2022, 02:11 PM

The later DS Colts with the shrouded ejector rod have always had a cleaner, more desirable lines to me, than the earlier unshrouded models. A shrouded DS has been on my want list for some time, but I've had to settle for a Chief's Special.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 14, 2022, 03:11 PM

That's a very nice example of a "Dick Special." Like bamaranger (and, apparently, UNlike most other folks), I much prefer the DS with the shrouded ejector rod.

I have always wanted a pristine Detective Special and a pristine Diamondback to go with it.

Ricklin · April 14, 2022, 03:43 PM

Plus the cylinder spins the right way. Very nice, I too have an eye out for a Dick Special, since I have zero S&W's it is rather late to start now.
Always been a Colt guy.

**4V50 Gary** · April 14, 2022, 04:54 PM

Earlier ones didn't have the ejector rod shroud. Later ones like yours do. Best of all, you have the older Colt action that is closer to the Python than the Trooper III.

Butzbach · April 14, 2022, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

After scrounging around to find a couple of speed loaders for mine (Agent/Cobra) a friend pointed out that S&W K frame speedloaders will work. and, gosh, he was right!

The whilte on the sight is aftermarket. Otherwise, the gun looks cherry. If you're into Colts, nice find!

44 amp, always wondered about the speed loaders. I never wanted to get tossed from a gun show for trying one of my K Frame speed loaders in a DS. The perfect back up gun for a model 65? I THINK SO! I really wish you hadn’t posted this info. For the record, put me down for unshrouded with the smaller (that’s read “PROPER”)grips.

PS
Is a Colt Magnum Carry on the same frame as a DS?

Bob Wright · April 15, 2022, 08:10 AM

Old joke: Grandmother addressing her grand daughter: There are two words I never want to hear you say. One is "swell" and the other is "lousy."

Sweet young thing: "Okay, grandmother. What are they?"

In my home, in the South, we were admonished never to use slang expressions, especially those referring to another person. It was just "common."

I grew up that way at my mother's instruction, and later called my own daughter down for using the term "fuzz."

We were products of a gentler time. I even had trouble with the Colt "Cop-And-Thug" terminology.

Bob Wright

Dfariswheel · April 16, 2022, 08:08 PM

"PS
Is a Colt Magnum Carry on the same frame as a DS?"

The frame and cylinder are the same general size, but the actions are totally different. No parts will interchange.

The New Cobra and New King Cobra also have the same general size frame and cylinder as the original Detective Special.

Of course slang was different in different areas, but way back then police detectives were "Dicks", private eyes were Gum Shoes or Key Hole Peepers.

Gum Shoe was either because they spent so much time walking they always had chewing gum on the soles of their shoes, or they wore gum soled shoes so they could sneak up and down hotel halls.

From the 1930's through the 1950's the Colt Detective Special was so much used by police, it was known as a "cop gun" and anyone carrying one was suspected of being a cop.

Virtually every cop in those years owned a Dick Special and it became almost a badge of office.
Detectives would often open the coat and flash the gun instead of a badge to identify themselves.

pathdoc · April 17, 2022, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highpower3006

Is it just me, or does anybody find it odd to call a gun a "dick special"?

"Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" takes on a whole new meaning!

Kreyzhorse · April 19, 2022, 07:30 PM

Nice find. Looks like it's in great shape. I'm a huge fan of all things Colt snub nose.

GeauxTide · April 20, 2022, 03:44 PM

Came upon a Nickel DS last year and scooped it up. Don't like nickel, but love the piece. 6 shots and perfectly fitting grip.

Reloadron · May 5, 2022, 08:46 PM

Mine is a 68 less the shroud over the ejector. Actually the first snub nose revolver I owned. It was followed by a 2" S&W Model 10.

Enjoy it.

Ron

Ed4032 · May 6, 2022, 05:39 AM

It is beautiful!!

RickB · May 6, 2022, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Is it just me, or does anybody find it odd to call a gun a "dick special"?

Do you appendix carry?

jetinteriorguy · May 7, 2022, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickB

Do you appendix carry?

LOL, funniest thing I’ve read all day.

April 11, 2022, 06:21 PM	#2
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,468	Inlay in the sight is not factory. But either way, the gun is gorgeous! Congrats __________________ Say when..... Last edited by mk70ss; April 13, 2022 at 02:49 PM.

April 12, 2022, 05:48 AM	#4
Butzbach Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2021 Location: Texas Posts: 137	First handgun I ever fired. My Dad had a DS with the smaller checkered grips. I remember firing it with him holding over my hand circa 1965? It was on the side of a dirt road on some kind of Sunday drive or family vacation. I must have been pretty young. Just the one shot. I recall my ears ringing. A few years later he flashed it to me and had me walk on his left side during a trip to Hudson’s in downtown Detroit. No carry permit. Just the permit to be judged by 12 instead of carried by 6.

April 12, 2022, 10:07 PM	#5
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,299	Looks like. . . . That just looks like a whole lotta fun. Life is good. Prof Young

April 13, 2022, 11:55 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 25,318	After scrounging around to find a couple of speed loaders for mine (Agent/Cobra) a friend pointed out that S&W K frame speedloaders will work. and, gosh, he was right! The whilte on the sight is aftermarket. Otherwise, the gun looks cherry. If you're into Colts, nice find! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 14, 2022, 02:11 PM	#12
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 7,703	Congrats The later DS Colts with the shrouded ejector rod have always had a cleaner, more desirable lines to me, than the earlier unshrouded models. A shrouded DS has been on my want list for some time, but I've had to settle for a Chief's Special.

April 11, 2022, 08:01 PM	#3
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 905	Sweet Colt fore sure, and the inlay is a practical upgrade IMO.

April 14, 2022, 08:42 AM	#7
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,159	Is it just me, or does anybody find it odd to call a gun a "dick special"?

April 14, 2022, 09:22 AM	#8
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 905	Not in 1930s-1950s parlance. The current younger generations will raise an eyebrow, of course.

April 14, 2022, 10:01 AM	#9
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,111	Nice looking revolver. I used to carry a Colt Agent that had the matte finish.

April 14, 2022, 03:11 PM	#13
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 17,261	That's a very nice example of a "Dick Special." Like bamaranger (and, apparently, UNlike most other folks), I much prefer the DS with the shrouded ejector rod. I have always wanted a pristine Detective Special and a pristine Diamondback to go with it. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

April 14, 2022, 03:43 PM	#14
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 1,794	Plus the cylinder spins the right way. Very nice, I too have an eye out for a Dick Special, since I have zero S&W's it is rather late to start now. Always been a Colt guy. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

April 14, 2022, 04:54 PM	#15
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,458	Earlier ones didn't have the ejector rod shroud. Later ones like yours do. Best of all, you have the older Colt action that is closer to the Python than the Trooper III. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 15, 2022, 08:10 AM	#17
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,941	Old joke: Grandmother addressing her grand daughter: There are two words I never want to hear you say. One is "swell" and the other is "lousy." Sweet young thing: "Okay, grandmother. What are they?" In my home, in the South, we were admonished never to use slang expressions, especially those referring to another person. It was just "common." I grew up that way at my mother's instruction, and later called my own daughter down for using the term "fuzz." We were products of a gentler time. I even had trouble with the Colt "Cop-And-Thug" terminology. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

April 16, 2022, 08:08 PM	#18
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,388	"PS Is a Colt Magnum Carry on the same frame as a DS?" The frame and cylinder are the same general size, but the actions are totally different. No parts will interchange. The New Cobra and New King Cobra also have the same general size frame and cylinder as the original Detective Special. Of course slang was different in different areas, but way back then police detectives were "Dicks", private eyes were Gum Shoes or Key Hole Peepers. Gum Shoe was either because they spent so much time walking they always had chewing gum on the soles of their shoes, or they wore gum soled shoes so they could sneak up and down hotel halls. From the 1930's through the 1950's the Colt Detective Special was so much used by police, it was known as a "cop gun" and anyone carrying one was suspected of being a cop. Virtually every cop in those years owned a Dick Special and it became almost a badge of office. Detectives would often open the coat and flash the gun instead of a badge to identify themselves.

April 19, 2022, 07:30 PM	#20
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,441	Nice find. Looks like it's in great shape. I'm a huge fan of all things Colt snub nose. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

April 20, 2022, 03:44 PM	#21
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,208	Came upon a Nickel DS last year and scooped it up. Don't like nickel, but love the piece. 6 shots and perfectly fitting grip. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

May 5, 2022, 08:46 PM	#22
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,737	Mine is a 68 less the shroud over the ejector. Actually the first snub nose revolver I owned. It was followed by a 2" S&W Model 10. Enjoy it. Ron

May 6, 2022, 05:39 AM	#23
Ed4032 Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 273	It is beautiful!! __________________ Gun control is like stopping drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to drive.

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