Old Colts

Trooper Joe · April 23, 2017, 05:46 PM

Cobra 1952

Detective Specials

This thing started by me buying that well worn but tight and accurate Colt Cobra. It had really crappy grips so I added a pair of aftermarket grips (real hard to find with the "long" grip frame/this gun was made about 1952).

Next a found a very nice 1966 era Cot Detective Special with the exposed ejector rod. A few weeks later, I found a 1973 era shrouded ejector rod model with very little wear on it.

I had one of these "D" frame Colts (it may have been an agent and maybe with a shrouded hammer) when I first started in police work in 1965 at the Lansing, Michigan police department.

I may carry the well worn Cobra since I can't do any more harm to the finish that what is already done. The shrouded Detective Special is definitely a keeper to show guys and shoot it at the range.

My local dealer has a nice 1971 Colt Police Positive I sold him last year and I may try to work out a trade for the exposed ejector rod Detective Special and some cash.

Kind of like these old Colts even though I have a real love affair with S&W J K and L frame revolvers.

Colt's new Cobra sort of got me going on these again as well as finding the old 1952 Cobra. If I do get the new Cobra which is stainless steel and rated for +P, I will try out the Buffalo Bore "FBI" load in it.

I guess I am getting sort of tired of all the plastic guns even though I carry (in my truck) a Glock 19 which I qualify annually with for my LEOSA (nation wide) carry permit.

Trooper Joe

dgludwig · April 23, 2017, 06:08 PM

"Old Colts" are a real pleasure. You've got some good ones, Trooper Joe.

mk70ss · April 23, 2017, 06:41 PM

My vintage DS

Armybrat · April 23, 2017, 08:27 PM

Those are some nice DS you got there Trooper Joe. I like the ones with the shrouded cylinder pin.

Besides a handful of Civil War era Colts, my oldest is this 1978 SAA .357:

Driftwood Johnson · April 23, 2017, 10:18 PM

Howdy

Did somebody say Old Colts?

New Service. 45 Colt, 1906 at the top, 44-40, 1907 at the bottom.

Army Special, 38 Special, 1921.

Various Police Positive Specials. 1922-1952. Except the Police Positive Target, 22 LR, 1936 at the far right.

Single Action Army, Bisley Model, 38-40, 1909.

Official Police, 38 Special. Have not dated this one.

Detective Special, 38 Special. Have not dated this one either.

SaxonPig · April 24, 2017, 06:31 PM

Don't have too many old Colts. I do have a 5" Army Special in 38 Special stamped for the St. Louis PD. Dates to 1924.

My most senior Colt is this Officers Model Target from 1909 with a post 1935 replacement barrel.

djont57 · April 25, 2017, 09:14 AM

A really terrible picture of a nice 1929 Police Positive Target .22

Rothdel · April 25, 2017, 10:38 AM

Official Police 1943 vintage
Cold Pocket - 1912

For some reason i cant find a picture of my Trooper MK III or my Agent with the hammer shroud. Both look better than the two picture.

I received the Agent as a gift from my father in law. He purchased it in the navy fired two rounds through it and put it away in a safe he did not open till he learned of my interest in firearms.

**Mike Irwin** · April 25, 2017, 10:48 AM

For many years I had no interest in Colts. I was a dyed in the wool S&W man.

Then, a few years ago I was watching Public Enemies with Johnny Depp, and in a jailbreak scene he opens an arms locker and there's just row after row of Colt revolvers.

Something went snap in my brain and I decided that I needed to get some Colts.

I now have a Police Positive Special in .32-20 (Damned sweet!), an Official Police 6" in .38 Special, and a Police Positive in .32 New Police (.32 S&W Long).

dgludwig · April 25, 2017, 04:19 PM

Quote:

I now have a Police Positive Special in .32-20 (Damned sweet!), an Official Police 6" in .38 Special, and a Police Positive in .32 New Police (.32 S&W Long).

Nice revolvers all, for sure (especially that Police Positive chambered in .32 New Police); all you need now to complete your "practical" (i.e., no Python) Colt revolver collection imo is a Cobra/Agent and a Officers Model Match/Officers Special. I'm kind of a closet Colt fan too, as my first and last loves when it comes to revolvers have Smith & Wesson stamped on the barrel.

**4V50 Gary** · April 27, 2017, 09:32 AM

Nice collection Driftwood Johnson.

**Mike Irwin** · April 27, 2017, 09:48 AM

This is the Police Positive...

Best date I've been able to find for it is 1935ish. It's in fantastic condition but for a chip out of the bottom rear of the left grip. I've seen a number of Colts with the exact same chunk out of the grips in the past. I'm wondering if it was a flaw or some sort of weakness...

This is the Official Police

I really like this particular revolver. The trigger is absolutely incredible.

McShooty · April 27, 2017, 10:09 AM

Colt Police Positive, .38 Colt New Police, circa 1914 unfired. This gun was the property of A. E. Bargren, Chief of Police of Rockford, Illinois 1894 - 1940.

tallball · April 27, 2017, 02:34 PM

I will have to remember to upload the picture when I get home from work. I have an Army Special (IIRC) similar to Driftwood's, but the finish is more worn. I think mine was from the 20's also.

I read so much about how nice the triggers are on the old Colts that it seemed like I really "needed" to have one. Its sights and trigger are definitely better than those of my S&W 38 special from the same era. (That is my evaluation of those two specific examples; I'm not trying to make a general statement.)

SIGSHR · April 27, 2017, 02:36 PM

Among my treasures is a 1968 Colt Official Police with the satin nickel finish.

Lavan · April 27, 2017, 03:14 PM

Detective Special with THREE inch barrel.

**4V50 Gary** · April 28, 2017, 02:02 PM

McShooty - that is beautiful. What a rich blue it has.

dgludwig · April 28, 2017, 03:47 PM

Thanks for setting me straight-I thought it had a nickel finish.

44 Deerslayer · April 28, 2017, 09:10 PM

I bought this .32 New Police back in the 70's. It was part of a special run Colt did back then, a Detective Special old style, no shroud. I still have the original box and paperwork. I never did get around to shooting it.

ShootistPRS · April 28, 2017, 09:15 PM

How can someone own a gun for more than a week and not shoot it?

I must have an illness because I get violently ill if I have not fired a gun within a week of buying it. I am usually out at the range the same day just to ward off the anxiety attacks.

Driftwood Johnson · April 28, 2017, 10:34 PM

Quote:

How can someone own a gun for more than a week and not shoot it?

I used to tell my friends that if they did not shoot a new gun within 30 days of buying it they had to give it to me.

Alas, I have some now that I have never shot. I just like to collect old guns. Of course, for some of them ammunition has not been made for a long, long time.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 28, 2017, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Those are some nice DS you got there Trooper Joe. I like the ones with the shrouded cylinder pin.

I agree. Dunno why, but the ones with the shrouded ejector rods really sing to me.

GuyWithaGun · April 28, 2017, 11:35 PM

I have a detective special with a 2 inch barrel. Unshrowded ejector rod. Still carry it from time to time I love how the gun shoots.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GuyWithaGun · April 28, 2017, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 Deerslayer

I bought this .32 New Police back in the 70's. It was part of a special run Colt did back then, a Detective Special old style, no shroud. I still have the original box and paperwork. I never did get around to shooting it.

It's beautiful!!! Looks just like mine ( I put some different grips on mine) yours is in wonderful condition!!! I've considered getting mine refinished but I figured it was a bad idea..

TruthTellers · April 29, 2017, 12:34 AM

I love old Colt's way more than old Smiths. The Police Positive in .32 New Police and the New Service in .45 Colt are at the top of the list of Colt revolvers I want.

The Python can slither away and die, I'm not spending $3000 on one when I can get about 3 or 4 other classic Colt revolvers.

April 23, 2017, 05:46 PM	#1
Trooper Joe Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 222	Old Colts Cobra 1952 Detective Specials This thing started by me buying that well worn but tight and accurate Colt Cobra. It had really crappy grips so I added a pair of aftermarket grips (real hard to find with the "long" grip frame/this gun was made about 1952). Next a found a very nice 1966 era Cot Detective Special with the exposed ejector rod. A few weeks later, I found a 1973 era shrouded ejector rod model with very little wear on it. I had one of these "D" frame Colts (it may have been an agent and maybe with a shrouded hammer) when I first started in police work in 1965 at the Lansing, Michigan police department. I may carry the well worn Cobra since I can't do any more harm to the finish that what is already done. The shrouded Detective Special is definitely a keeper to show guys and shoot it at the range. My local dealer has a nice 1971 Colt Police Positive I sold him last year and I may try to work out a trade for the exposed ejector rod Detective Special and some cash. Kind of like these old Colts even though I have a real love affair with S&W J K and L frame revolvers. Colt's new Cobra sort of got me going on these again as well as finding the old 1952 Cobra. If I do get the new Cobra which is stainless steel and rated for +P, I will try out the Buffalo Bore "FBI" load in it. I guess I am getting sort of tired of all the plastic guns even though I carry (in my truck) a Glock 19 which I qualify annually with for my LEOSA (nation wide) carry permit. Trooper Joe

April 23, 2017, 06:08 PM	#2
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	"Old Colts" are a real pleasure. You've got some good ones, Trooper Joe. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

April 23, 2017, 06:41 PM	#3
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	My vintage DS __________________ Say when.....

April 23, 2017, 10:18 PM	#5
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Did somebody say Old Colts? New Service. 45 Colt, 1906 at the top, 44-40, 1907 at the bottom. Army Special, 38 Special, 1921. Various Police Positive Specials. 1922-1952. Except the Police Positive Target, 22 LR, 1936 at the far right. Single Action Army, Bisley Model, 38-40, 1909. Official Police, 38 Special. Have not dated this one. Detective Special, 38 Special. Have not dated this one either. Last edited by Driftwood Johnson; April 23, 2017 at 10:23 PM.

April 25, 2017, 10:38 AM	#8
Rothdel Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2015 Posts: 190	A few of mine Official Police 1943 vintage Cold Pocket - 1912 For some reason i cant find a picture of my Trooper MK III or my Agent with the hammer shroud. Both look better than the two picture. I received the Agent as a gift from my father in law. He purchased it in the navy fired two rounds through it and put it away in a safe he did not open till he learned of my interest in firearms.

April 23, 2017, 08:27 PM	#4
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	Those are some nice DS you got there Trooper Joe. I like the ones with the shrouded cylinder pin. Besides a handful of Civil War era Colts, my oldest is this 1978 SAA .357:

April 24, 2017, 06:31 PM	#6
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Don't have too many old Colts. I do have a 5" Army Special in 38 Special stamped for the St. Louis PD. Dates to 1924. My most senior Colt is this Officers Model Target from 1909 with a post 1935 replacement barrel.

April 25, 2017, 10:48 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	For many years I had no interest in Colts. I was a dyed in the wool S&W man. Then, a few years ago I was watching Public Enemies with Johnny Depp, and in a jailbreak scene he opens an arms locker and there's just row after row of Colt revolvers. Something went snap in my brain and I decided that I needed to get some Colts. I now have a Police Positive Special in .32-20 (Damned sweet!), an Official Police 6" in .38 Special, and a Police Positive in .32 New Police (.32 S&W Long). __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 27, 2017, 09:32 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	Nice collection Driftwood Johnson. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 27, 2017, 09:48 AM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	This is the Police Positive... Best date I've been able to find for it is 1935ish. It's in fantastic condition but for a chip out of the bottom rear of the left grip. I've seen a number of Colts with the exact same chunk out of the grips in the past. I'm wondering if it was a flaw or some sort of weakness... This is the Official Police I really like this particular revolver. The trigger is absolutely incredible. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 27, 2017, 10:09 AM	#13
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Colt Police Positive, .38 Colt New Police, circa 1914 unfired. This gun was the property of A. E. Bargren, Chief of Police of Rockford, Illinois 1894 - 1940.

April 27, 2017, 02:34 PM	#14
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I will have to remember to upload the picture when I get home from work. I have an Army Special (IIRC) similar to Driftwood's, but the finish is more worn. I think mine was from the 20's also. I read so much about how nice the triggers are on the old Colts that it seemed like I really "needed" to have one. Its sights and trigger are definitely better than those of my S&W 38 special from the same era. (That is my evaluation of those two specific examples; I'm not trying to make a general statement.) Last edited by tallball; April 27, 2017 at 05:53 PM.

April 27, 2017, 02:36 PM	#15
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Among my treasures is a 1968 Colt Official Police with the satin nickel finish.

April 27, 2017, 03:14 PM	#16
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,716	Detective Special with THREE inch barrel.

April 28, 2017, 02:02 PM	#17
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	McShooty - that is beautiful. What a rich blue it has. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 28, 2017, 03:47 PM	#18
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Thanks for setting me straight-I thought it had a nickel finish. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

April 28, 2017, 09:15 PM	#20
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	How can someone own a gun for more than a week and not shoot it? I must have an illness because I get violently ill if I have not fired a gun within a week of buying it. I am usually out at the range the same day just to ward off the anxiety attacks.

April 28, 2017, 11:35 PM	#23
GuyWithaGun Junior Member Join Date: April 28, 2017 Posts: 5	I have a detective special with a 2 inch barrel. Unshrowded ejector rod. Still carry it from time to time I love how the gun shoots. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

April 29, 2017, 12:34 AM	#25
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	I love old Colt's way more than old Smiths. The Police Positive in .32 New Police and the New Service in .45 Colt are at the top of the list of Colt revolvers I want. The Python can slither away and die, I'm not spending $3000 on one when I can get about 3 or 4 other classic Colt revolvers. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."