Colt Detective Special

GeauxTide · July 11, 2022, 10:08 AM

Picked up an unfired DS from an Estate Sale and I can't determine if it's Stainless or Nickel. The serial number 28602 R gets no hits on Colt's sight.

74A95 · July 11, 2022, 10:56 AM

The stainless guns had different names, IIRC, like the DS-II and SF-Vi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Detective_Special

If it says Detective Special, it's most likely nickel.

Dfariswheel · July 11, 2022, 08:07 PM

28602R was probably made in 1977, but may have been made in 1978.

The year 1977 started the "R" series at 01001R.
1978 ended the "R" series at 59999R.

As always, Colt serial number ranges are "complicated".
Your serial is in the Police Positive Special range, but Colt was intermixing all "D" frame revolvers in the same serial number ranges.

The finish isn't stainless, Colt made it's first stainless steel small frame revolver in 1995-96 as the Colt SF-VI.
Colt did make a few limited runs of "Coltguard" satin electroless nickel in the late 70's, and may have made a few in satin chrome before that.
If the finish is mirror shiny, it's probably standard Colt bright nickel.

GeauxTide · July 12, 2022, 10:38 PM

Thanks very much.

July 11, 2022, 10:08 AM	#1
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Colt Detective Special Picked up an unfired DS from an Estate Sale and I can't determine if it's Stainless or Nickel. The serial number 28602 R gets no hits on Colt's sight. __________________ 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.

July 12, 2022, 10:38 PM	#4
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Thanks very much. __________________ 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.

July 11, 2022, 10:56 AM	#2
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,564	The stainless guns had different names, IIRC, like the DS-II and SF-Vi. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Detective_Special If it says Detective Special, it's most likely nickel.

July 11, 2022, 08:07 PM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	28602R was probably made in 1977, but may have been made in 1978. The year 1977 started the "R" series at 01001R. 1978 ended the "R" series at 59999R. As always, Colt serial number ranges are "complicated". Your serial is in the Police Positive Special range, but Colt was intermixing all "D" frame revolvers in the same serial number ranges. The finish isn't stainless, Colt made it's first stainless steel small frame revolver in 1995-96 as the Colt SF-VI. Colt did make a few limited runs of "Coltguard" satin electroless nickel in the late 70's, and may have made a few in satin chrome before that. If the finish is mirror shiny, it's probably standard Colt bright nickel.