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Make: Colt
Model: Detective Special
Serial Number: 942908
Year of Manufacture: 1966 (COLT Serial Number Database)
Caliber: .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long)
Action Type: DA/SA Double and Single Action 6-Shot Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder
Barrel Length: 2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch integral to the topstrap. The upper edges of the top strap are serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with silver-colored Colt medallions. The inside of each panel has "908" hand-written, matching the last three digits of the revolver’s serial number. The grips have a few minor nicks and scuffs with one more notable ding at the bottom edge of the left panel at the rear. The checkering is well defined. There are no other chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good Plus Condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few minor nicks and scratches with one more notable scratch on the sideplate under the Rampant Colt. The action shows minor operational wear, mostly in the cylinder lead-in grooves. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the revolver is in Fine Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This revolver comes in a Colt two-piece faux-wood cardboard box with a reproduction end label and a Colt Handbook.
Our Assessment: The Colt Detective Special was in many ways the same revolver as the Police Positive Special, except for the barrel length, which was reduced to 2” (very few were produced with 3” barrels). The Colt Detective Special was a favorite among “plain clothes” police detectives, as the Colt “snub nose” held 6 cartridges, as opposed to only 5 in a Smith & Wesson J-frame piece. The Detective Special had a long production run from 1927-1995, a testament to its popularity.
This Colt Detective Special Snub Nose Revolver was made in 1966, quite late for the .32 New Police chambering, and is in Fine Condition. The .32 Colt New Police cartridge is the same as .32 S&W Long, but Colt was never a fan of marking their guns with their chief competitor's name. This revolver features a 2” snub nose barrel, 97% of its crisp, original blued finish, beautiful two-piece checkered walnut grips with silver-colored Colt medallions (the inside of each panel has "908" hand-written, matching the last three digits of the revolver’s serial number), strong mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion, and comes in a Colt two-piece faux-wood cardboard box with a reproduction end label and a Colt Handbook. There is a notable scratch on the sideplate under the Rampant Colt, and a notable ding at the bottom edge of the left grip at the rear. Whether you're looking for a revolver for concealed carry or want to add to a Colt collection, this will make a nice pony for your stable.