Condition: Very Good

Colt Detective Special .38 Spl Revolver, 2” Barrel, Third Issue, Original Stocks

This Colt Detective Special is a classic 6-shot snubnose revolver. Featuring original stocks and Colt’s distinctive deep blue finish, this revolver is still going strong with a very tight lockup and a good trigger. This is an excellent chance to get into the Colt revolver game at an attractive price. All expected rollmarks are present on this revolver.

Condition

Overall Condition: Very Good condition. This pistol limited wear on the bluing and stocks, and is in perfect working order. signs of prior use, with only very minor handling marks present, primarily on the slide.

Bore Condition: Very Good – bright, with sharp lands and grooves.

Frame Condition: Very Good – Raised edges of the bluing show wear. Small scratches are visible, showing use over its 50+ year life.

Specific Condition Notes: Original stocks are in Very Good condition with a few small nicks and dings consistent with their age. Cylinder lockup is very tight. Cylinder gap looks minimal.

What's Included

  • Colt Detective Special revolver

Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing is most famous for its line of revolvers, and the Detective Special remains one of their most acclaimed snubnoses to this day. Based on the Police Positive Special, the Detective Special was the progenitor of the entire snubnose market. Having been made from 1927-1996, this specific example is a Third Issue, which is differentiated by its barrel underlug, fully-ramped front sight, larger stocks, and minor lockwork improvements. This piece has the classic features of a snubnose revolver: a 2” barrel, basic sights for close shooting, and a smooth trigger. This particular Detective Special was made in 1975 and is in Very Good condition, showing limited wear over its 50+ year life.

The 2 in barrel is factory original. All expected Colt marks are visible on the frame and barrel. The barrel is thicker on these Third Issues, and features an underlug to protect the ejector rod. The front sight is ramped, and the rear is milled directly into the frame. Some high edges of the bluing show wear, and some scratches are visible. The bore itself is bright with sharp lands and grooves. Forcing cone looks to be in good shape. The crown is sharp, with no damage.

The frame is in Very Good condition with similar edge wear and limited handling marks. The lockwork on this gun is still very tight, with Colt’s trademark lockup; the cylinder locks up as tight as a bank vault when the trigger is pressed. Endshake is minimal. Cylinder gap is minimal. Some wear is visible on the right side of the hammer. The trigger similarly feature’s Colt’s traditional stacking on the double action and a crisp, clean break on the single action. The pistol’s stocks are factory standard wood, and remain in Very Good condition with few nicks and dings.

This piece is wonderful opportunity to get into the classic Colt revolver game at an affordable price. This collectible piece will get snapped up and serve on for years to come – make it yours today!

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Colt

  • Model: Detective Special

  • Submodel: Third Issue

  • Caliber: .38 Spl

  • Action Type: Double/Single-action

  • Locking mechanism: Revolver

  • Firing Mechanism: Hammer-fired

  • Safety mechanism: N/A

  • Magazine type: N/A

  • Capacity: 6

  • Barrel Length: 2 in

  • Barrel Material: Steel

  • Barrel Features: Underlug; bull barrel

  • Sights: Front sight ramped, rear sight milled into frame

  • Optics Mount: N/A

  • Frame Material: Steel

  • Finish: blued

  • Grip Material: Wood

  • Grip Features: Factory original

  • Country of Origin: USA

  • Year Manufactured: 1975